Bridging the Pond

by Georgina Bridger

It is 5, 443 miles, 12 ½ hours, half a day, 3 meals, 5 movies, an airplane flight and car ride. So many obstacles, so little time. Two places separated by so much, but with modern technology so little.

England and America may share a language, food and some interests but they in such contrast and for me many worlds apart.

It has now been 3 years since I walked through the streets of Sussex. Since I sat in the passenger seat on the left side of a car. Since I didn’t worry about jay walking. 36 months since I peered at the rolling, luscious green hills called the Sussex downs and seeing multiple sheep grazing in a field was a common occurrence. It’s now been 3 years since I’ve been home: to my country, my homeland.

One could probably now say that I’m an American. I eat America food, wash in American water, go to an American school, and have American friends. Although I may have a green card I will never be an American. I understand why Americans are extremely proud of their country but it isn’t for me.

Now that my accent is starting to change and relationships with my friends at home are withering I constantly feel like I am disconnecting for good. Just like when an umbilical cord is cut between a mother and her child, I have been cut from what I thought was my warm, comforting, and familiar home.

I love the English culture, food and my family that remains behind. I know the landscape, the roads, good places to eat and my way around just likes the next British cabby, yet I’m now seen as a tourist.

I’m a foreigner in England and I’m an alien in America.

Right now I am literally lost in translation. Stuck between two worlds, two places neither of which I belong.

This should make me feel lonely, afraid and a little melancholy, and sometimes it does, but really it means I’m free. As I have no ties there is nothing to hold me in, one place, one country. By moving countries my parents have cut me from the nest and allowed me to fly, explore and travel.

Now I am not afraid of the world, I’m not afraid about change. Emigrating and integrating into another culture is such a difficult process, yet it has more rewards and happiness than anything I have ever done.

I have the opportunity for adventure, to explore, to find the one place that I want to live. My roots and heart will always belong to England, and also to those that I leave a little part with on my journey. 

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