Hi all! Writing another update for family, friends, and any blog readers who are keenly interested in my personal life (maybe we should talk?) because things have changed INSANELY quickly in the past 72 hours.
I had heard before going to bed this past Wednesday that the president was going to make a major announcement, but I’d gotten used to getting my US news first thing in the morning and I needed to get some sleep before class, so I’d gone to bed before the announcement.
Morning came more quickly than I expected when I received a 1:30am phone call from my dear partner in Washington D.C. I immediately knew something was wrong because he was using that special voice he uses when he’s trying to convince me nothing is wrong. What ensued was a flurry of airline tickets, pleading middle of the night emails, some heart palpitations, and a couple confused tears. By the time I managed to fall back asleep at 4am I had a plane ticket home and had packed up half my room.
Now, the travel ban that the president announced specifically excluded the United Kingdom and American citizens, though this was not entirely clear at first. I made the decision to come home immediately based on the assumption that the current terms of the ban could likely change quickly. In short, I wanted to get home when I knew I could still get home.
Here’s where I owe a big thank you to my community that really came together for me. While I was still partly asleep, my amazing brother who is a pilot booked me a buddy ticket home the next day, while my partner found back up options in case I missed that. My flight, which was maybe half full when he got my ticket at 2:30am UK time, was entirely booked by 12:30pm, so clearly a lot of people were changing their plans at the last minute. I’m especially grateful to the school administrators and my professors at LSHTM, who were incredibly understanding and flexible and seemed truly more concerned about me getting home safely than bureaucracy. Your humanity made a world of difference. I’m also very thankful to Qbic London City, the hotel I was staying at at the time. Not only is their hotel absolutely awesome, but they were very understanding and issued me a refund despite me having only just checked in a couple days prior. Definitely go stay with them next time there’s not a pandemic!
So, I’m back in Virginia in a different season, time zone, and what seems like an alternate reality. I am sad because I was not ready to leave London; I had so many plans before I left. On the other hand, it’s a relief and a huge privilege to be home. I’m not saying my decision would be right for everyone, but it certainly was for me. That being said, please bear with my general state of confusion for the foreseeable future as I adjust to being back stateside much sooner than expected.
In terms of school - there were only three weeks left in my term, so while I’m missing some in-person classes I’m able to keep up with the readings and will be submitting my final assignment online. What a relief! This shouldn’t affect my progression at all, provided I stop being jet-lagged enough to actually catch up in the next couple days.
To my family and friends, I was so grateful for your support as I moved abroad, suffered homesickness, and started to get into my groove. I’m doubly thankful for your concern and support in light of these bizarre circumstances. Ya’ll have reminded me that I do have a community behind me.
Also, ya’ll can expect some more London-related posts that I’ve been meaning to write - isolation seems like a good time to get some writing done, eh?