A Tale of Two Londons

The University College Building, University of Western Ontario

I have been asked to give a lot of introductions in the past five or so days I have spent in Canada so I suppose another one won’t hurt! My name is Neha, I’m studying law at the University of Nottingham and I am currently spending a year abroad in London, Canada at the University of Western Ontario.

When I was leaving Karachi (I am originally from Pakistan) about two years ago, I wasn’t half as nervous as I was when I boarded that flight to Toronto. I knew I had my brothers there to take care of me and London has always been a personal favourite of mine. Over the two years, London became home (as my parents moved with me) and Nottingham... well, a second home.

Five days ago when I arrived in London (the Canadian one!), I felt strange. Maybe, it was the jetlag, or the extremely wide roads that I was quite afraid to cross or the fact that Canadians drive on the right side of the road and I was just too used to looking in the opposite direction or the fact that I just wasn’t used to not knowing my campus inside out like I did in Nottingham. And in case you were wondering... yes, I did happen to get lost and that too, with 51681841651 shopping bags full of groceries in my hands. I did at some point in the two hours that I spent trying to find my way back wonder why I chose to come here.

Western Mascot: The Mustang

But it would be EXTREMELY unfair to say that I haven’t been having an absolute blast these past few days. It really is like living the American dream. The rooms in my hall (oops... ‘rez’ as they call it here) are massive and I would never be able to use the whole closet space if I tried. The Western spirit at the football (yes, Canadian ‘football’) game was unimaginable and I don’t think I have ever cheered as loudly as I did yesterday at the opening ceremony of the frosh week (translation: freshers week). I had really chosen Western Law for its excellent reputation but I could not have imagined that I was making my way into an American movie (literally!). Everything, from how you can chat with strangers on the road for over half an hour to the mustang that galloped around the stadium every time Western scored at the football game, has been amazing.

Bleeding Purple: Taking the Victory Lap

To sum it up, I would really just quote the cashier lady from How I Met Your Mother (season 5 episode 5): 

“American money, didn’t watch the Leaf’s game last night, no please or thank you for the coffee? You sure don’t seem like a Canadian!” 

Robin Sparkles: Canadian Pride

So yes, their plastic money is fascinating, they really do love their football and they are the friendliest people I have ever had the pleasure to meet. 

P.S. 'Timmy’s double double' really does beat Starbucks.