I studied abroad here. I was worried when I first arrived. I got pelted by the bully neighborhood kids with snowballs everyday. My friend had a brick thrown though her dorm window. It was dirty. It was smaller than I expected.

but then… I got moved into a big house in the city center and another abroad friend transferred next door. Things were looking up. Sunderland has so many quirks that I miss so much now that I’m gone. I am planning a trip for next summer. It’s great being in a place that is similar yet worlds different from the US. It’s close enough to take the metro to newcastle, and you can take a bus or metro to the north sea or durham. It’s just great. I loved it.