Reading My Way Through The Summer

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It is incredible how much information can be picked up from reading a newspaper. Since arriving in the United Kingdom, I have learned how different the UK and the US are in terms of the media, especially the newspaper.

One important difference I have noticed between the United Kingdom and the United States is how often news is reported. For example, on Tuesday afternoon, I read an article online about how the Spice Girls were reuniting in London to promote their new musical. Upon entering the Tube station to leave for work, I picked up the London Evening Standard paper, which reported the story, as well. In the United States, I would merely see the story on the evening news versus actually reading it in an evening paper. In the UK, I feel as if the news is all around me and that I am more a part of it, especially with the evening papers. It is a thrill to walk out of work and know I can pick up a traditional newspaper versus logging on to the Internet or sitting in front of the evening news on television in the US. I feel more like an adult who is aware of her surroundings in and out of the country.

Another difference between the two countries in terms of the media is the fact that many ofthe newspapers are free. I like this idea because it gives me more of an opportunity to stay in tune with happenings in the country and abroad. Back in the United States, I can get <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Daily Iowan for free, but major publications like <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The New York Times will cost me. Just this evening, I got full insight into Wimbeldon, the Olympic Rings being hung from the Tower Bridge, and a murder story all without flipping on the television or firing up the Internet. Thus, I feel that the media and the papers, in particular, are much more accessible here than in the US.

Finally, newspapers here are much more artsy, in my humble opinion. For example, one article I read today entitled ‘Unleash Your Inner James Bond’ was decorated with color and funky photographs. The article pictured numerous James Bond-like gizmos you could purchase. Everything from sofas to cars (and even towels!) was neatly arranged on the page. Overall, it was a very visual and artistic reading experience with the pictures instantly grabbing my attention and prompting me to read the story!

One really does not fully live in a new country until they experience the media. I was all a flutter the first week I was here because I had no idea what was going on here or anywhere around me. When I get home, I not only want to appreciate the news more, but also want to soak up as much of it as I can because that is what I have done here. It is truly a learning experience—picking up the paper and <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">actually being a part of the world.

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Comments

[KaylNorton]

Cultural learning
According to one of my pre-departure reflections, I intended to step out of my American comfort zone and embrace the customs of London. Looking back, I realize I did this in a number of ways, but this post about media and the newspapers stood out to me. For me, it was customary to sit in front of the television and listen to the news, but I embraced the art of reading a newspaper. I learned how popular reading the newspaper was while there and fully lived up to my goal of embracing the culture. In addition, I wanted to make connections all over the world. This post reminded me of how I used the newspapers to accomplish that goal. I anticipated that I would meet this goal by meeting people at work, but the media surprisingly helped me. Now I frequently pick up the newspaper to gain a little knowledge and I do appreciate the news more, a goal of mine according to this post.