Student Spotlight: Aishatou Tunkara in England

What is one challenge you experienced during your first month? How did you overcome that challenge?

“During my first month here in London, managing expenses was challenging. Initially, I spent freely on tourist activities without considering the exchange rate between US dollars and pounds. After reviewing my spending, I realized the significant difference and created a weekly budget to control my expenses.”

What similarities and differences have you experienced between your host culture and your culture?

“As for similarities, both London and Atlanta have numerous coffee shops, reflecting a shared café culture. The differences include the urban design and lifestyle as London is much more walkable than Atlanta. I'm averaging 10,000 steps daily in London, improving my mood while Atlanta relies heavily on car commuting. The payment methods are also different where as in London the majority of shops are card-only. In Atlanta, cash payments are still common. The card-only approach in London seems beneficial, potentially reducing cash exchanges and the risk of robberies. I appreciate this aspect of London's culture and wish Atlanta would become more walkable and adopt similar payment practices.”

What are you looking forward to experiencing in your second month abroad?

“This September, I'll be starting classes and I'm excited to meet the exchange students in my cohort. By interacting with them, I hope to explore more tourist attractions and learn about different cultures. I'm particularly eager to return to the classroom, as I haven't been in an academic setting since April. I'm looking forward to immersing myself in the world of academia once again. Additionally, I'm keen on networking with professionals in London, which will be a valuable opportunity for my personal and career growth.”