York in Review

I've been back in the States for about 10 days and I thought this would be a good time for a look back at my time in York.

My experiences in York are really hard to sum up. I met so many amazing people and made so many friendships that I feel so different from the person who arrived in the UK just over a year ago. The first few months were hard and, although I met a lot of great people, I feel like I didn't really get to know them until January. Burns Night in January marks for me the time wen I started to fell confident there and a bit like I was at home. Spring term was great for me. Part of my course was a work placement where I researched the First World War--something I'd done and knew I could do well. By the end of spring term, I had a group of people I loved spending time with and I didn't get lost in the city center (a major accomplishment). Spring term was capped off with my first real ceilidh.

The Chaplaincy pilgrimage to the South let me form friendships with the campus chaplains and better friendships with the other students. Plus I got to travel. From staying in a gatehouse of a priory to taking a tour of Canterbury at night by candlelight, the trip might have been my single favorite week in York.

Throughout the summer, I dedicated essentially 100% of my time to my dissertation. It was super intense but, retrospectively, really fulfilling. Part of my research was to go to the Imperial War Museum North in Manchester. I went twice and both times were great. I also got to figure out the whole internet train tickets thing which was helpful for the rest of my summer.

The second super exciting trip I took was to the Lake District, which I covered in length recently. I will add, that every chance I get, I will go to the Lake District. It is the only place where I've really enjoyed hiking/nature.

The last week I was in York, my mom came to visit. We went to Hadrian's Wall at Housesteads Roman Fort, which was super cool. We also went to Whitby and Scarborough--complete with sea mist. We went to the museum where the research I did was part of a new exhibition. And I got to see some of my favorite people a couple times before I left. (Quick parenthetically shout out to Nick, who requested to be included.)

In all, my year in York was better than I could have imagined. And now, some of my favorite pictures from the year.

The statue of Constantine at the Minster is one of my favorite parts of York. From a convenient meeting place to an amusing site to people watch, the Roman emperor was handy to have around.

Another of Constantine, with the Minster this time. These two pictures are classic tourist pictures.

As is this one I took of Westminster when I was in London over New Year's.

I went to London in the summer with friends and saw the Elgin Marbles in the Great British Museum of Nicked Stuff, aka the British Museum. I really liked it but I didn't get to see everything. Although there are museums I would like to visit more, I would love to go back.

The Imperial War Museum North in Manchester from the other side of the quay. It is such a pretty building.

A typical day at the entrance to my building near the end of the year included passing somewhere between 6 and 10 ducks. Water fowl rule the campus.

Rievaulx Abbey in Yorkshire. My best friend in York essentially adopted me, and so did her grandparents. One weekend in August they took me on a walk across the North York Moors, which was amazing; another weekend we went to Rievaulx Abbey, which was stunning.

Hadrian's Wall from Housesteads Roman Fort. The scenery was spectacular.

I kid you not, this is Whitby Abbey. It was pretty cool to see it in the mist.

This is Scarborough Castle with sea mist. I was really cool too, but I wish we could have seen off the cliff out to sea.

This last picture is of Canterbury Cathedral and is one of my favorites from that trip.

That was just a brief look at my time in the UK. Of course, I have more thoughts, stories, and pictures, but those will have to wait for now.