After every experience surfaces the inevitable question upon your return to your homeland, “How was (blank)?” Well, how was London…hmmm I had to ask myself. What exactly did I think, feel, and if I had to do it again, would I go back? London was interesting…that seems to be the response I have given everyone who asked. I like to call it a beautiful launching pad for exploring more about yourself and the world. The language is convenient for english speakers, the universities and their resources (at least at SOAS) are great, and the people (well most of them) are actually pretty nice. I really enjoyed myself in London, honestly. I enjoyed being away from New York, away from my friends (even though I love them), and having the ability to be in solitude when I felt like it and yet still build wonderful relationships with the friends that I met. London was everything I  needed but the travel experiences it gave me actually was more. Although I only visited Wales, Portugal, and Italy, each site gave me a new story and a new sense of growing wisdom about my life. It gave me a sense of humility about my position in the world and truly made me realize how amazing God is in general and for giving me this opportunity to travel. I think that all of this came together during my last few days in London. I must admit, I was not ready to go home especially since we met ALL THE COOL YOUNG BRITS 3 days before we left. But we still made some pretty cool friends at my “uni” (university) since I was primarily attending the University of London School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) instead of just NYU’s London campus with the rest of the American students. There is so much that can be learned as a young person in college and I can’t even imagine how much I am going to grow over the next six months between my spring abroad experience in Madrid, Spain and in South America during the summer. As a result of all my experiences in London/my fall travels and their positive impact on my life, I have become addicted to traveling and placing myself in new contexts. Funny, because just when I thought it was over, I realized that getting on the plane home and eventually returning to Europe in January was solely the beginning.

“The mind I love must have wild places, a tangled orchard where dark damsons drop in the heavy grass, an overgrown little wood, the chance of a snake or two, a pool that nobody’s fathomed the depth of, and paths threaded with flowers planted by the mind.” – Katherine Mansfield

Well, let me first start by saying that I love New York University. Even though they get on my nerves and their financial aid office is always trying to pull some shananigans with my aid, I still LOVE my school. But honestly, I think American education is a bit too institutionalized. Our ideologies have managed to infiltrate our educational systems and freedom of speech really hasn’t been FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

At the University of London School of Oriental and African Studies, I have been exposed to all types of students. Yes, it is typical for me to meet Italian & African socialists or students who believe that maybe communism wasn’t that bad, and no one looks at them like they’re crazy. Most of these students have studied and worked with communities in Asia and Africa, which are experiencing corrupt governments and suffering from poverty.  And NO not ALL African nations are poor, but these students have a WORLD view on politics unlike a NATION view most American students contain. I can appreciate having socialists and communists in my classes and at my dinner table because although I do believe in capitalism, I more so believe in freedom of thought and freedom of mental expansion. I think we as Americans tend to tune out the rest of the world and believe that everyone wants a democratic government like ours. As Governor Palin conveniently stated on McCain’s foreign policy plan in her interview with Katie Couric, “we will spread democracy to every nation that wants it.” UMMMMMM how about NO, it’s the “save the world attitude” that the U.S. has adopted that got us into all this mess in the first place. I’m a firm believer in grass roots revolutions and politics. It is the people’s responsibility to fight for what they want. No one came over from another country when African-Americans were fighting for their rights and said here let me bomb your government so you can receive your rights. We fought for it and we continue to fight for it. The U.S. needs to take two steps back and think about our presence and reputation in the world because currently, we are practicing modern day imperialism (the crowd goes OUCH, Ari that was harsh).

But getting back on topic (I seem to be very politically sensitive these days), studying abroad at the University of London SOAS has really given me a new perspective. The experiences of engaging with worldly open-minded intellectuals about politics, education, finance, etc. is INVALUABLE. It definitely has further molded my views of the world. I wish every NYU student took advantage of this opportunity because living in an American bubble doesn’t allow you to truly understand our position in the world or give you a global eduation.

Ari

I realized over the last few days that as a writer/new blogger I refuse to post space fillers. I haven’t blogged for almost 3 days, but I think that’s okay because you would rather read something that I truly wanted to share versus something I was just using to pass time.

Well to the “juicy” stuff! I’ve finished Hill Harper’s Letters to A Young Sister: DeFine Your Destiny. Why it took me until this morning to get through it after I’ve owned it for over a month is beyond me! The funny thing is that I’m pretty sure I finished it at the right time, and as I explained in “No Experience”, the book probably delivered a well needed message for my ongoing journey in Europe. Hill Harper has an excellent message for all young women. Although I’ve already grown through some of the stages he touches on, it was nice to reflect on the streams I have managed to cross and the rivers/oceans that lie in front of me. Moreover, as I read through the last 90 pages this morning (yes I’m a “G” when it comes to reading lol), I immediately started to reconcoct my recent thoughts about where I wanted to take my career. Like Hill, I feel so fulfilled when I empower people, but I realized that specifically working with young women and inspiring them to be and attain whatever dreams they put their mind to, gives me more satisfaction.

I spoke to my little sister Amber last night (Isn’t she beautiful!!! I LOVE YOU SIS!) and to hear the excitement in her voice about starting her new school in Somerset, NJ and the new friends that she made, truly made me feel even more excited for her future experiences. My mom shot me an email this morning saying how much it truly meant that I called her for her first day of school all the way from London.  What I think most older sisters don’t realize is that your first opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young women starts in your familial circle. My sister has expressed repeated times her desires to be a singer, an actor, a fashion designer, etc. I have made it very clear and I will say it a THOUSAND times if necessary that I will support ANY and ALL of her positive aspirations as the women in my family have done for me despite of what anyone else (family members included!) has to say about my decisions.

I appreciate you being there and I also thank my male supporters because I haven’t forgotten about you!

Peace & Blessings!

Ari

I must say that this whole London pound-dollar conversion truly did not hit me until I was forced to buy an alarm clock since I left mine in the States.

This thing below cost me 20 POUNDS that’s almost the equivalent of $40. When I told my new roomate Steph (who is awesome!), she was like well I hope it talks!

LOL not exactly!

It’s amazing how you think you know it all. God never ceases to amaze me when he literally presents a new chapter of experiences in my life. Primarily, I decided to start this blog as a space for communication between myself and my loved ones. However, I hope I’ll some day be able to reflect on all that I have wrote and perhaps finally write my first book, which I have been talking about doing for ages! Upon arriving in London, after massive personal struggles that I won’t air out just yet (gotta save some stuff for my book readers!), I recognized that my definition of life was purely wrong. In every way that I had assumed I had life figured out, I hadn’t. The definition of my career, what & who meant the world to me, living freely, and most importantly walking on faith… ALL WRONG. For one, I managed to make my flight to London after picking up my UK student visa an hour & a half before my plane boarded. Just imagine driving through NY rush hour traffic in a town car with 4 suitcases and a panicked driver who is trying his best to have you make an international plane that is scheduled to leave in 2 hours. Chaos! However, after a few words of inspiration from some close friends and speaking to all my relatives before fastening my seatbelt on Air India, I realized that this entire experience was a blessing and an opportunity for redefinition. The final sign before leaving the U.S. that my trip to London had a purpose was when I opened up Letters to a Young Sister: DeFine Your Destiny by Hill Harper. I had started the book a month ago and never finished, but the words of Marianne Williamson jumped off the first page I opened up to.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask oursleves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? And as long as we let our own light sine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

So if our goal in life should be to liberate others, taking care of ourselves becomes our first step to success. If we must first liberate ourselves, then stages of redefinition must continuously occur until we get it right. It’s a continuous process since none of us are perfect, but not redefining your purpose at all puts a repugnant hold on those you were put on earth to bless. In the mind of this young 19 year old writer, I see the fufillment of my purpose as beyond destined. In the words of Alfre Woodard, it is my heritage to stride bodly through this world, living my dreams, and comforting others; to inspire, to laugh, and to dance. We are descendents of women who have built and suckled generations, so nothing but strength and tenacity should flow through my heart and veins. With love and inspiration, this is only the beginning.