The Fossgate Social (Caroline Carlson)

Last week, I ambled down cobbled streets and observed various stores, seeking a place to visit regularly and make my own. Not needing any maps, I realized that I knew York better after two or three weeks than I knew Grand Rapids after two or three years. Yet I still wanted (and needed for a class assignment) to find my own spot in York.

Eventually, I arrived at The Fossgate Social, a small café, bar, and pub with a cozy atmosphere and an industrial-chic design. The window seats, tables, bar, and floor have a pretty wood finish, which is subtly accented by vibrant, warm colors in the chairs, cushions, dim lighting, and decoration. There’s even a bike hanging up in the corner.

Mixed with the music is the chatter of young students, here to have a drink and socialize with their friends. Other students study by themselves, like me. Either way, the chatter sounds distinctly different from back home, and when I order hot chocolate at the bar, my voice sounds different to them too. It’s my American accent, the dead giveaway.

| How (Not) to Blend In

Americans greatly admire the British accent, but none of us imitate it here; we would sound mocking and blatantly false in their ears. I’ve caught myself saying sorry and excuse me in a British accent only by accident. At the same time, I’m much more conscientious about how I speak, as my own voice sounds strange and out-of-place.

I could try to blend in with English students in how I dress or the lingo I use. Then I think, they are going to find out I’m an American eventually, and when they do, I want to be myself. The fact that I am an American is more interesting to them anyway. So I'm putting zero effort into blending in. Blending in is very overrated.

The server says “cheers” as she places the hot chocolate on my table. The white foam is shaped into a heart, and I’m reminded that it was just Valentine’s Day. In case you are wondering, the UK does celebrate the holiday, but the UK is currently going through an ugly breakup with the European Union, so it’s not a happy Valentine's Day for them.

| The Brexit Breakup

Ah, Brexit. It’s as controversial in the UK as the topic of Trump in the US. I won't get into the details of Brexit here, as I am no expert and that would take way too long. But I've gained an interesting perspective talking to the other British students, as well as talking about Brexit in my British Culture Studies class.

In a conversation with my flatmate Kieran, he said that he'd rather stay in the EU for the benefit of open, free travel within the EU. For this and other reasons, the majority of the younger generation are Remainers instead of Leavers or Brexiteers. Either way, most of them doubt that there will be a second vote to challenge the referendum in 2016.

Instead, there is debate on how the UK should leave the EU, whether that's a “no deal” (a.k.a. “hard”) Brexit or a “deal” (a.k.a. “soft Brexit”). Prime Minister Theresa May proposed a deal with the EU that would maintain some of the UK’s current trading privileges within Europe, but the UK parliament voted a resounding rejection on January 15. This means that there is no current plan for Brexit, scheduled to go into effect on March 29, 2019.

When we international students attended the first YSJ orientation session, we were basically told that no one is certain about anything, except that Brexit would not impede our studying abroad or returning home, so "no worries" for us visiting Americans. On the topic of spring break travel, Frans told us that customs would remain the same for United States citizens and would not affect our travels, except perhaps by producing longer lines at international borders. *hesitant sigh of relief*

Kieran thinks the current date for Brexit will be extended, since no deal has been passed. Whatever happens, we're living in Britain at a historical time.

| On a Happier Note

As I left The Fossgate Social and re-entered the cobbled streets, I stumbled across a guitarist strumming and singing John Legend's All of Me. I stopped to take a video of it, and I thought I'd share the video with you all, as a little taste of live (American) music in York. The content of the song is also perfect for (a belated) Valentine's Day.

This post was taken from my own blog at www.bit.ly/carolines_corner. As I say this, I know that both Megan Guinter and Kelsey Shoemaker have also provided links to their own blogs and that it would be impossible to keep up with all of them! However, I do hope you’ll at least take a look. I post every Wednesday morning, and this week, I’ll be posting about our recent excursions to Liverpool, Durham, and Lindisfarne.

Cheers, and thanks for reading!