International Tea Time

I did originally intend this to be more of a weekly blog, but I find there to be too much to shareJ This morning I enjoyed meeting new friends at the University’s New Student Orientation and while visiting the Society (club) fair in the student union. We got a pamphlet entailing all of the societies we could join, which was a quite overwhelming list including the skydiving society, the bagpiping society, and wine tasting society among many others!

This evening I ended up attending Central Church with my new friend Megan from Texas. It was great to have someone come with me because it was quite a long walk to get to the church. The service didn’t actually start until 6:30pm, so when we arrived early at 6 we got a great chance to meet other students. Megan and I sat down next to two lively “freshers” who had much to share about the University. Christian, a philosophy major who works part-time at Build-A-Bear recommended the cycling society. Eilidh, an art student, encouraged me to join the mountaineering club and invited me to join her the next time she went bouldering at the gym. The service itself was a great respite from all stress and the worship was tremendous.

Perhaps the best part of my day was arriving back in the flat. Though I was hoping to prepare for my first day of classes, I found myself easily putting my work aside when my flatmates asked if I would want to come hang out with them. We made tea and Costanza, my Italian roommate, had German butter cookies that she had brought from home. We talked for nearly an hour, each of us interested in learning about each other’s culture. It was fascinating to hear how early in school they had to choose their track of study. Costanza had to choose political science when she was 14, Ariel (from China) chose Business when she was 15, and Melissa (from France) decided when she was 16. We also discussed some of our national holidays and favorite family traditions. In general it was just so wonderful to be sitting around a small table with girls from three completely different upbringings. Way too cool!