First Weekend

Orientation is almost over. We've had five days (yes, five!) of seminars, workshops, and icebreaker activities. In other words, no free time ( But I think they do this on purpose so that we have no time to get homesick). Yesterday was my first day of class. It's only five days long and centered on preparing us for departure to London. It's also the first day I had some time to myself. And the first day I started to feel homesick...

But to backtrack, here's some pictures of move-in day and my weekend in Philly!

"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." -Winnie The Pooh

It took awhile upon arriving at Arcadia for the FYSAE (First Year Study Abroad Experience) students to receive their temporary housing arrangements. For this week, we are packed in various apartments in Oak Summit (just outside the campus). My apartment has 19 people in it, and there's five of us in a room sharing a bathroom. I've heard this is not a typical housing arrangement! 

My room is way in the back of the apartment down the little hallway. And my bed is the top center bunk (yes, the messy one).

        So far my favorite spot on campus is "The Hive". It's a little lounge for honors students at the top of this little old building. It's about as perfect as it gets.

Yes, that's a turret bathroom! :)

As one last hurrah of orientation, Arcadia staff took all 600+ of us into the city. We toured for several hours; the school arranged a scavenger hunt and we were all in little groups. I lucked out and had a Philly native in mine and he knew his way around...but I was definitely following blindly because I have no idea which way we went! Whoops.

After we were officially exhausted, everyone went to eat at Reading Terminal Market. Arcadia rented it out so we had the entire place to ourselves! One of the vendors was more than happy to take a picture of us:

If I look exhausted it's because I am:

Emma, Me, Jenna

And that's pretty much it! It really was a fun weekend despite the fact that I'm a little orientation-ed out. I'm anxious to get settled in my flat in London! Please pray for a safe flight there.