The Envoy

I’d barely slept the night before, but when morning came, all the anxiety I felt for months leading up to that day disappeared. 

As someone who had never traveled out of the country, I was terrified of flying to a whole new country. The day of my departure to one of the world’s most well-known cities had finally arrived. Sitting in the narrow, uncomfortable leather seats as the plane slowly descended into Heathrow Airport, I looked out the window and caught a glimpse of the new city I was about to journey through for the next month. 

This past summer, I participated in the News Literacy in a Digital Age study abroad program in London, taught by the director of the Hunter College Journalism Department, Professor Sissel McCarthy. The program offered a great opportunity to immerse ourselves in English culture and learn about broadcast journalism.

Through the program, we had the privilege of meeting with different journalists at newsrooms like the BBC and Sky News who explained the procedures behind publishing a story and outreach techniques.

Once in London, as I walked out of the bustling Westminster Station and saw Big Ben, it finally clicked –I was in London. 

Familiarizing myself with the metro system and the currency was difficult, but my classmates and I worked together to learn. Being a tourist in a new city was exciting yet scary, and brought a rush of adrenaline that I couldn’t put into words. 

Our first week included trips to Tesco, the largest supermarket chain in the United Kingdom, for groceries and exploring Brick Lane, where our apartment was located. Brick Lane, famous for its street art, had almost every corner filled with graffiti murals.

Vintage shops stood at almost every corner, and even underground thrift stores. Brick Lane was its own gallery, and the streets were packed with people. In a way, it made London feel like New York City.

Old Spitalfields Market was just a ten-minute walk from our apartment, and it was filled with all types of vendors. Food vendors served dishes from all over the world, and smaller vendors sold antique and vintage items. Whether it was clothing, handmade hairpins, or original artwork, it seemed like there was something new every time we visited. 

To catch the metro or the double-decker buses, we had to walk to Liverpool Street. With an array of modern glass skyscrapers and Victorian structures, it’s also home to Liverpool Street Station, one of London’s busiest stations. 

Being in London made it convenient to travel to other nearby European countries, so I took the opportunity to book a weekend trip with a few classmates to Milan, Italy. The city was exceptionally beautiful with stunning architecture. I can confidently say the best food I’ve eaten during my study abroad journey was in Milan; The food was rich and decadent: warm, flaky croissants by day, pasta drowning in thick sauces by night.

Visiting the Duomo di Milano, a Catholic church in Milan, was my favorite part of my trip. The Duomo’s interior had high pillars and colorful stained glass windows that brought the entire church to life.

The stained glass windows depicted different biblical tales and cast colorful light into the cathedral whenever the sun shone through. Spending what felt like hours in the church, I started studying the structure and tried to guess each biblical tale. I lost myself entirely inside the church. Before leaving, I passed by a votive stand and lit candles for my friends and family back home. In that moment, it felt like I connected with the church in ways I didn’t imagine possible. 

We had purchased tickets to tour the roof of the Duomo, which required us to climb several stairs, but every bit of sweat had been worth it. The entire city was visible from the top, including the Alps. Its snowy peak stood behind Milan’s buildings. From the roof, the cathedral’s structure, along with the spires and statues that depict biblical figures, was even clearer.  

I bought tickets to West End shows as soon as we returned to London. To be in London and not see a show would betray the theater-kid inside of me. I could not leave without watching Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera. 

My sister has visited London before and insisted that the city was just like New York City. I remember her telling me the city had its own Soho and its own Broadway; these familiar places made me feel like I was a little closer to home. It made me feel like I was in New York once again, simply attending another show on Broadway.

Although I was warming up to London and enjoying my time, the homesickness was starting to get to me. Even though I had multiple support systems, I noticed I wasn’t talking about all of these emotions because I couldn’t quite explain what it was I was feeling. I confided in my sister and told her about my experiences, and she convinced me to visit Oxford, where I could explore more of England’s countryside.

I looked forward to visiting Oxford, mostly because I wanted to see the famous, breathtaking Bodleian Library, Oxford University’s main research library. But unfortunately, the tour had already sold out by the time I arrived. It was a let-down, of course, but I wasn’t going to let my Oxford experience go to waste. After taking in the historic medieval structures on campus, I eventually stumbled upon the University Church of St Mary the Virgin. 

The English Gothic-style church offers a free tour to visitors; however, a tour of the medieval tower cost seven pounds. Despite the cost, I decided to purchase a ticket. Once inside the tower, although it was cramped with other viewers like myself, I found myself overlooking the university in complete awe. 

The gloomy weather and occasional rain showers left a fantastical glisten to the landscape. 

After leaving the church, I walked to the River Cherwell, a tributary in England, following a scenic greenery trail that provided a quiet stillness I truly appreciated. 

I felt a sense of stillness here that I hadn’t found elsewhere in the hustle and bustle of London, and it was comforting. I sat with this feeling as I realized that this was my favorite moment of my study abroad journey. 

On my last night in London, I went back to Big Ben to get one final look at the landmark. On the bus ride there, I constantly checked the score of the Ecuador vs. Germany game. The World Cup was happening in the U.S., and the entire month I was abroad, I hated that I couldn’t watch my country’s games with my family. By the time I arrived at Big Ben, Ecuador had scored its first goal.

After taking my last few photos, I stood at the Westminster station entrance and stared at Big Ben long enough to remember every intricate detail. Surrounded by other tourists and seeing their grinning expressions, I couldn’t help but smile. At just 20 years old, I found myself in one of the most famous cities in the world, experiencing something many could only dream of. That night, I noticed the city’s chaos was now comforting rather than frightening, and I felt at peace. 

Making my way through the airport terminal just moments before boarding, I found myself frantically searching for a souvenir shop. I stopped in one with glowing signs and red and blue items all around; my eyes were drawn to a rack of alluring postcards that captured the very essence of London. I twirled my wired headphones between my fingertips and scanned my options, thinking of what my family and friends would love most. None of them felt right.

Disappointed, I walked towards my gate, found my way on the plane, and took my window seat. As the plane took off and I looked down below, I realized one thing. I had the perfect postcard. My memories and pictures were the most authentic pieces of my trip I could give as a gift.

To my loved ones,

You can count this as my postcard. 

Emely Zavala Obando.