Rupert Yorke - College of Social Sciences and International Studies

Yorke, Ruperthedonistic utopia I fully expected crossing the Atlantic in August. It is a terrifically small ‘city’ whosenightlife options are restricted to just three fairly tawdry bars and where owning a car is anabsolutely prerogative in order to cultivate alternative entertainment pursuits. Whilst I endeavournot to lie to myself that I am a clubbing guru, a college town without a club of any sort mildlyresembles any American building without the stars and stripes majestically surfing the wind–incomplete. I have managed to tame my yearning to ‘flee the nest’ by visiting the irresistiblystunning Washington D.C. as much as possible, being only three hours away on the impressiveAmtrak. I have even managed (somehow) to keep in touch with a few students studying atGeorgetown University in D.C., which always provide a welcome tonic for the occasionally insularWilliamsburg.As I look forward to flying home next week to recharge the batteries amidst the fineries of homecookedfood, ‘real’ beer, and the festive harmony of one’s friends and family, I am holding no regretswhatsoever in electing to study for a year and not a semester at William & Mary. I know I will wantto return come January, such is the warmth and allure of Virginia, and the U.S.A. itself. Whilst I havemissed friends, home and my Mum particularly (to whom I am very close), I feel very much part of aloving, caring community in America – something perhaps I lacked last year in Exeter. This wassurprisingly recognised by my mother when she visited me in D.C. and Williamsburg for five days orso in October – the seven hour or so flight really isn’t all that unsettling as it is made out to be. Thework is tough, but by no means impossible. The food is desperate at times, but by no meansinedible.I desired first and foremost for this year an improved socio-cultural awareness allied with a renewedperspective on life, and one event in particular on October 14 th managed to deliver this goal in asingle handshake. Having spontaneously and wildly applied via email to ‘An MTV Conversation withPresident Obama’ in Washington D.C.’, I found myself being invited to an interview in the capitalover Fall Break which culminated in a seat in the audience for a live question-and-answer sessionwith the much berated President. And so the dream come true – following the nation-wide livebroadcast, the most powerful man in the world perused the flabbergasted audience with hiseffortless swagger, shaking ‘shaking’ hands. I am relatively confident that little in life can compare tolooking the President of the United States in the eye and exchanging handshakes – life is going wellacross the pond.