Tigers abroad: An update on the Ouachitonians around the world

Moving across the pond and spending a semester in England is a dream that Kayla Golden, a junior biology major and psychology minor from Katy, Texas, has had since she was young. Golden has been studying at Liverpool Hope University in Liverpool, England since the end of September and should be returning home in time for Christmas. When considering studying abroad, she was excited by the idea of being submerged in a new atmosphere where she did not know a single person.

Living overseas, Golden expected to meet people from all over, to travel and to experience her education in a new way. Experiencing a little bit of a culture shock, her expectations were not only met, but blown out of the water. She had the opportunity to meet people from all of the world such as Ireland, Spain, Norway, Belgium and many other places. After learning about her new friends’ cultures and lives in their home country she decided she needed to take the chance to visit some of those places by spending her weekends traveling.

In Liverpool, Golden has wrapped her experience around taking advantage of her education and using all of her free time to take part in traveling experiences she will not have again once she returns home. Her week includes classes on Tuesday through Friday for three to four hours a day. After class she spends her time in the library working on assignments so she can complete them during the week and have her weekends free for spontaneous trips and activities.

“I spend at least two hours if not more in the library working on homework because weekends are travel days,” Golden said. “When I’m not in class I am either planning a weekend trip with friends, grabbing tea, coffee or food at a new hole in the wall place or going out dancing.”

When asked about her favorite experiences since arriving in Liverpool, Golden says that her weekend trips have been the most incredible parts of her journey. She has enjoyed not only visiting the new places but also getting to know those around her.

“Biking through the Peak District National Park, going to beaches in Barcelona, visiting castles in Edinburgh, and seeing the Queen and Prince Harry in London, there are no words for these experiences,” Golden said. “One of my favorite things that happens on a regular basis though, is my relationships I have made with my classmates in my course.”

“They have welcomed me with open arms and constantly are showing me things about England and just living life together. They are probably what I am going to miss the most,” Golden said.

At her university, Golden has found a student organization that has allowed her to connect with other Christians and continue to focus on her faith. She compares the organization, Christian Union, to Ouachita’s Refuge ministry.

“Nightlife is big in Liverpool and as a Christian you can feel like you are walking alone,” Golden said. Christian Union, however, has shown me that the same God we worship in Arkansas is alive and active in the hearts of people across the pond. They are very ministry focused at Christian Union and push members to share the gospel with each other. It has really challenged me to work on this on a more regular basis.”

While learning a lot in her classes, and about the history and culture of the places she has visited, Golden has also had the chance to pick up on some more unique differences between England and America.

“Something interesting is the words they use compared to what we call things in America,” Golden said. “For examples, gum is called chewy, chips are crisps, and fries are chips. Relying on public transportation has also been interesting. Everyone basically has a car in the U.S. or shares one with the parents but here everyone relies on buses and trains. Usually it makes your journey longer, but I’ve grown to enjoy those travels.”

Being pushed out of your comfort zone should be expected when studying abroad. Not only does experiencing a new place allow you to see new things and meet new people, but it also allows you to grow as an individual and learn a lot about the world around you.

“You start seeing beauty in simple moments and also beauty in brokenness,” Golden said. “I’ve learned that ‘different’ is okay and that everyone in this world needs love. I’ve learned that wandering off the market trail takes a little courage but often comes with pleasant and unexpected surprises.”

By Sydney Bratton