Editor’s note: Maria Caceres is a journalism student at Central Connecticut State University and a freelance reporter for The Bristol Edition. She is studying abroad in Hatfield, England, and thought it might be interesting to report on her experiences as a student in England, where she is taking journalism classes along with philosophy and literature and traveling around Europe whenever she can.
By Maria Caceres
Hello from England,
I have been here for a little over a month so far and have been able to travel to so many places around the country. I have been to London several times, Cambridge, Liverpool, Windsor and so many more with little to no issues. The ease of travel makes me excited to get up on my days off from class and go explore some more.
Public transportation is made so accessible here that taking the bus is more convenient than taking a taxi or an Uber. I have only had to take such methods when it was too late, and the last bus had already gone. The transportation here feels very safe and makes me feel comfortable, especially when traveling alone.
Although I have the occasional mess-up where I go to the wrong place, the staff inside the train stations and on the buses are very helpful.
When I was going to Cambridge this past week, the entire journey was full of mistakes and going to the wrong place. On my way, I went on the wrong train and ended up only halfway there.
When you buy a train ticket, you have to scan it before entering the platforms and after leaving, I was scared that my ticket would run out of money, and I wouldn’t be able to make it into Cambridge as I had paid for the following bus ride that took me from the station to the center of the city.
When I spoke to a staff member, they were able to point me to the correct train that would take me to where I had to go, and I didn’t have to scan my ticket again, so I was able to use it for the bus I needed to take as well.
That pretty much explains my journey back as well. I bought a return ticket which typically means I have to take the exact same journey back; take the bus to the station, from the station to home.
I didn’t feel like walking to the bus meeting point (Cambridge train station) so I took a bus which took me there. I realized too late, however, that it was taking me to a different station (Cambridge North train station) that was very far away from the other one.
When I went to speak with staff, they were very accommodating and still allowed me to take their bus to other station I needed to go to.
Overall, the journey to Cambridge was very exciting and full of mistakes. I travel a lot and like to consider myself well-versed in various transportation methods but that does not mean I never make mistakes.
I am thankful to have had the experience because I learned and problem-solved as best as I could. Regardless, I made it to my destination and back home in one piece and I was very happy with my day.
Before you go!
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