England: Gabriela Korthuis (Forest Bathing)

Forest Bathing

One of the most surprising aspects of living in London is the blend of urban life and nature. Upon arrival, I learned that London is technically classified as a forest due to the ample number of trees in the area. I did not expect that from such a huge international city. To immerse myself in nature rather than the bustling city atmosphere, I visited Hampstead Heath. This is an ancient heath in London that spans nearly 800 acres. It is full of meadows and woodlands, and although it is the home to one of England’s most well-known manor houses, it is completely open to the public.

Immediately arriving at the heath, it was easy to forget I was in London. There were so many trees and rolling hills that I would have guessed I was in the English countryside. If I stood at the highest point in the meadows, I could just make out the city skyline beyond the trees. The juxtaposition of the wide expanse of nature right in the middle of such a huge city was very intriguing. As I strolled through Hampstead Heath, I saw a lot of wildlife. I came across a secluded pond in the woods with many different types of birds gliding through it. What caught my eye the most was a very colorful bird with almost iridescent feathers. It was sitting in the water peacefully. This really surprised me because the bird looked very exotic, and I would not have expected to see it in a London park. Its bright feathers were a stark contrast to the green and brown tones around it. This had me wondering where the species came from, and how it ended up in Hampstead Heath. I also wondered how many other interesting animals had homes here, as the area covered so much more ground than I would be able to explore.

Being immersed in the trees allowed me time to connect with my thoughts and emotions. I felt very grounded and in touch with my experience. Being in a big city can be overwhelming and it can be easy to lose track of the days and countless activities, so I really appreciated taking time to slow down and wonder rather than trying to plan and organize. The main difference I noticed was the sound. I did not realize how much feedback my ears were constantly taking in from the city until I was in a much more secluded area. The only sounds here were the crunch of leaves under my boots, the calls of birds through the trees, and the wind rustling the leaves. Occasionally moments of stillness would break through, and I found myself just staring at the sky in awe. It felt like the world was taking a moment to relax and take a deep breath before resuming life. I would love to repeat this activity in the many different parks London has across the city, or even back in Hampstead Heath itself since it is so huge I only covered a small portion of the grounds. In the future I would love to bring my sketchbook and spend time drawing the wildlife around me as well.

Gabriela Korthuis

Major: Undecided

Hometown: Holmen, Wisconsin

I am so, so excited to be a part of the UW Global Launch in London. I am currently undecided in my major and look forward to exploring different career paths and volunteering in another country. Throughout this program, I want to really put myself out there and focus on being present and awestruck. One of my main goals is to push my boundaries and form connections with lots of new people from diverse backgrounds.

What do you most look forward to learning about in London?

I want to learn everything about London, but mostly I am looking forward to learning about the history and culture present in the city. Being one of the oldest of the world’s major cities, I cannot wait to see the architecture, museums, and British culture in full force.