England: Olivia Farris (Forest Bathing)

Forest Bathing

My forest bathing experience was done throughout the west side of Hyde Park. I got to experience Kensington Gardens, Round Pond, the Diana Memorial Fountain, and the Serpentine River. I quite liked walking through Hyde Park as it is a quiet space in the middle of the city. When I walked into the park it made me feel as if I was in a whole new world. The walk itself was very calming and I enjoy walking as a form of exercise.

There is so much to see while in Hyde Park. One thing I noticed right away is the diversity of trees, flowers, and plants within Hyde Park. The trees all have different body and leaf shapes and the flowers are of all different heights and colors. There are also always a decent amount of people at Hyde Park no matter what area you are in. I am very fond of people watching so I did a bit of that while on my walk. My favorite scene that I saw was a dog jumping into the Serpentine River to retrieve a ball. The dog jumped in four times to get his ball and each time swam back, shook off, and went right back to the owner. Noises were also plenty. Many different conversations, childrens playing, dogs running, insects flying are all noises that could be heard during my walk through Hyde Park. Although there was plenty to hear, the walk was surprisingly quiet, which in and of itself is calming. Many different accents came from the conversation, primarily British, which I am still getting used to adjusting to hearing. Smells were not too common nor feelings of touch. The only aspect of Hyde Park I was able to feel was the sun shining through the trees.

In all, my walk through Hyde Park was very fulfilling and I got to notice a lot more while purposely forest bathing than I typically do when I go and sit at Hyde Park to study. I would definitely do this activity again because of how large Hyde Park is and how much more I still need to explore that area.

 

Olivia Farris

Major: Sociology

Hometown: Oregon, Wisconsin

I would love to widen my network by working with and meeting new peers, friends, and professors while studying abroad. I think it is a unique opportunity to study abroad in your freshman year, and I would love to take every chance to push myself outside my comfort zone to meet new people and form new relationships.

What do you most look forward to learning about in London? The thing I am most looking forward to is learning about and experiencing another country firsthand. A lot of the classes that we are offered to take are about Great Britain specifically, and I am excited to learn so in depth about it. I also get the chance to explore the country and the city of London while in the program, which is something I have never had the opportunity to do.