Public transport is a valuable tool whilst abroad in the United Kingdom. It is a sense of freedom you do not get without a car in the United States, but it can also be a point of stress and intimidation when you are not used to navigating this system. As a solo traveler, I did not know what to expect, but I went for it and used the rail system. Despite some stressful outings, it was well worth it for the places it allowed me to visit: Brighton, Lewes, London, Nottingham, Liverpool, Manchester, and the rest of Europe via the train to the airport. There are two points I want to make: how to navigate train stations for future study abroad students and the greater lessons of flexibility and a positive attitude that has helped for all things abroad.

I recommend getting a railcard if you plan to travel a lot within the UK. It gives you one-third off per journey and will save you money in the long run. Secondly, ask locals who know their way around about the routes they would take. The train app might give you the fastest route but not the knowledge of the hassle-free route. I went on a trip where I spent too much time in St. Pancras International Station because I had trouble navigating the train transfers, and I could have avoided this from the get-go if I asked for help. It is okay not to be an expert; I can now say I am way more confident with the London stations in general and what routes to take. I put myself out there to learn and experience, to make a mistake, but most importantly, to ask for help.

Another thing I did not realize before is that the trains in the United Kingdom are unreliable. A train will sometimes be delayed or rerouted, but it is important to be okay with unpredictability, change course, and devise a new plan. Sometimes trains have to get replaced by buses that will take you to the next available station. When this happened to me, I tried to put a positive spin on it. On the same journey that I ended up in St. Pancras, I was rerouted through a small town on a bus. It was quintessentially British, a place I would have never gone out of the way to see, but I am glad I got to see more English towns than I had just been able to take the train. Public transportation can feel overwhelming but should be navigated if given a chance. It is your ticket to adventure and a fantastic testament to why we study abroad: to build character and confidence in ourselves as individuals to navigate the world.