Senior explores metropolitan city of London, England

Jeanine Gajewski poses in front of the recreation Globe Theatre in London, England.

Adjusting my headphones, I settled back in the seat on my British Airways flight to London when a chipper voice with a smart accent asked me if I'd like the chicken or the mixed grill. I removed my headphones, and peering at my brunch selection, blankly asked the flight attendant to explain what in the world "mixed grill" was. When she told me that "mixed grill" was, of course, the traditional English breakfast, I thought, "Great, I haven't even made it to London and already I stick out as a tourist. How will I make it through my six-week summer semester? Will I ever learn to blend in?"

After somehow making it off the plane and to Paddington train station in this increasingly foreign country, I self-consciously began to note the myriad differences between all-American me and the native Londoners. For one, I obviously did not speak their language. Instead of finding an "exit," a white and red sign pointed the "way out." I took the "lift" instead of the elevator down to what should have been the subway, but was really the "tube." Fries were "chips" and chips were "crisps," and I was confused.

Immediately I began to worry that my flip-flops, pastel pink bandana and matching New Orleans shirt made me a neon sign in a sea of the subtle gray and black attire, so I hurried to the "way out" in search of a taxi. What I found was a black , bulbous car with a driver waiting behind a steering wheel on the right side of the cab. As we careened down narrow streets making hairpin turns, all on the left side of the road, I couldn't help likening the trip to Mr. Toad's Wild Ride in Disney World. Although it was 11 p.m. and too dark to see much beyond my window, I marveled at how the old medieval and Victorian architecture mingling with 21st century office buildings as each era added a new layer of history to the ancient, yet modern city.

When we arrived at the Madison House, JMU's London residence on Gower Street, I gave the driver a handful of coins and paper money, hoping I'd counted enough pounds for my cab fair and a proper tip. Thoroughly exhausted, I headed straight to bed, even though it was only 6 p.m. in the U.S.

Over the next six-weeks, my fears of permanently being condemned to tourist status tapered off. Together with the other 27 mostly JMU students at the Madison House, I took classes, navigated the city and learned the laws of the land. I came to terms with the London lingo, learning not to confuse bars with pubs and to say "you're welcome" when responding to "cheers." I soon was pronouncing "tomato" without the long "a," going on "outings" and affirming good ideas as "brilliant."

As I was in London during the World Cup, there was no room to forget that in Europe, "football" did not involve quarterbacks and helmets.

I braved the often questionable English dishes such as fish and chips and meat pies and mash, and I still crave tea and scones at about 4 p.m. I also had the opportunity to sample the abundant ethnic cuisine including Indian food and Japanese sushi. However, I could not bring myself to try the prawn (shrimp) flavored crisps or corn as a pizza topping no matter how much I wanted to be a true Londoner.

Even though I soon realized that Londoners wore a wide range of urban styles from subdued and conservative ensembles to outrageous pink mohawks, I still felt compelled to buy "London" clothes, despite the fact that everything cost twice as much as it would have in the States.

When I wasn't cruising down Oxford Street or Camden Market in search of the fabled summer sales, I was spending my money on plays in the West End, pints at the pubs or tea at the Savoy. I toured everything from the British Museum, to the Tower of London to Jack the Ripper's hangouts, packing as many experiences as I could into my short six-week stay.

Needless to say, by the time I boarded the plane back to the United States, I was very poor. But the culture and experiences I brought back with me enriched my understanding and respect for my neighbors across the Atlantic and my appreciation for my own heritage as an American.