When I first came to England to study at Leeds University in 2008 as part of my university degree, I started a blog, entitled 'A Canadian Girl in England.' The purpose of this blog was to assuage any concerns my mother might have about me being so far from home, and to allow my friends and family in Canada to keep track of what I was doing across the pond. The blog was mostly a mundane account of my day-to-day activities, which included detailed accounts of my penchant for cooking and housework (did I mention my nickname in high school was 'Mother in Training?'). I still look at that blog every now and then, and it serves as a really nice reminder of what I did on my exchange. However, the title has taken on even more meaning since moving back to the UK for my job with UJS. People are fascinated with my nationality, even more so in smaller communities. This phenomenon doesn't just include strangers - my friends, many of whom I have known for almost two years, still remark on my accent, vocabulary, pronunciation and clothing, among other aspects of my Canadian identity. 

My question is - why? Why is being foreign such a novelty, in a fairly cosmopolitan country like the United Kingdom? If I had a dollar (or a pound) for every time someone asked me: "Where in America are you from?" then I would be a wealthy girl (although, maybe less so if I was paid in dollars). I then have to explain that I am, in fact, not from America; I am from Ottawa, Canada. People will usually then tell me that they've been to Vancouver, have family in Toronto and have never heard of Ottawa (the capital city of the True North Strong and Free!). If I've heard it once, I've heard it a hundred times. That's not to say that I find it annoying or frustrating - I appreciate it when people are curious about me, where I'm from, what I do and how the heck I came to work for a Jewish student organisation based in London, while somehow living in Leeds.

Cumulatively, I have lived in the United Kingdom for almost a year. My first stint was five months on exchange and I have now worked for UJS for 6 months. I have travelled the breadth and width of the country (to use a Richardism) and have met a lot of people from a lot of different backgrounds. Being foreign, I find that I can get away with a lot. I feel no shame in asking people for directions, enquiring about terms that are unfamiliar to me or food that I have never seen in my life. In my experience, pudding is chocolatey and smooth and creamy and is not a catch-all term for dessert. Pants are what I put over my undergarments and 'fancy dress' is what I would wear to a black-tie gala. Tea is not a cure-all or one of my meals and Cadbury is not the Holy Grail of chocolate. That being said, I feel I have benefitted from being exposed to and immersed in a culture that is very similar and different to my own all at the same time.

What I appreciate most about this job is that every day is different, every city is different and every person that I meet is different and contributes to my experience, understanding and knowledge of British culture (does such a thing exist?). I have devoted this year to understanding the intricacies of being a Jew in the UK and on a small campus; I have learned a lot, but I still have at least 5 months left in this job and I plan to make the most of them. Travelling the country, running lunch and learns, attending Friday night meals, socials, drinks, movie nights, balls, and spending time with really cool people is my job.

I was lucky enough to have been given two weeks off in December to go home for a holiday. Ottawa was snowy, cold and wonderful. I shopped, played in the snow (not actually) saw all my friends and had a great time with my family. It gave me a bit of a break from the daily grind, but also refreshed and reenergised me for the upcoming semester. It was nice to be in a country where everything was so familiar; that being said, England is my second home and I feel comfortable and happy here.

My latest cultural exploration is football (soccer for any Canadian readers). I recently posted on my Facebook : "Elana Wall is trying to decide which football (soccer) team to support (if any). She is taking suggestions and input!" To my surprise, I had a lot of feedback and opinions. People feel passionately about football and it is a good way to feel as though you belong to something. I have yet to make my final decision, and am still taking suggestions. If you have any thoughts, please send them to elana@ujs.org.uk.

Love from London,