Why?

Today I was asked "why london?" why is it that I traveled halfway across the world (ish) to study courses that I could be studying at BU and take on an internship when I could have pretty easily gotten one in Boston and just stayed there over the summer. Well. I thought about it and even though I gave an answer I was happy with then I feel I can give an even better one now. I feel that after spending the day exploring the city and traveling to greenwich and meeting more locals and talking to them, I have discovered the true reason I decided to drag my bum to London and study here.
I want to experience culture in a place different than the one I live in and I want to experience the what the study and work environment is in a foreign country (especially because I am studying international management). But even more than that, I think I want to affirm my faith in the fact that the human condition unites us all globally, going beyond all borders. It is funny that when we first arrived here and sat through student affairs and academic orientation lectures, we were made to feel separate. Michael Oliver and Allison Campbell both made a fact of mentioning that as Americans we were viewed this way and as Americans they KNOW we WILL act this way and as Americans it would be best if we just did this and that. Even the Chairman of our program seemed to have a very limited view on the traits and perspectives of the "american" student and how he or she would fit into the London atmosphere. Yes I get it. I am an American student studying in London. The way I dress and carry myself may stick out like a sore thumb. But seriously? How do you know I act a certain way? how do you know that I will for sure as an American do certain things that make the common Londoner think I am obnoxious? is this not simply a manifestation of your own narrowmindedness that You can't seem to grasp the concept that all americans are NOT the same? aren't you asking me to open my eyes and my own mind and grasp that all Londoners are not the same? I feel that though there are some significant cultural differences, the common 20 year old londoner and I have a lot in common as far as interests, place in life, goals, and hobbies. I feel like as a part of the human condition, though I may be an american and you may be a londoner, we have more in common that we do in difference. You may live halfway across the world but most 20 year olds are thinking about the same things: school, future, job, careers, love, success. Then how can you say that I will find nothing in common with Londoners unless I go out and specifically search for things to talk to them about? Yes I agree it is important to read the paper and to be well versed in what is occurring in the area in which one is staying. But I disagree that I can't strike up a conversation with another 20 something year old londoner without doing so. I feel like through shared interests and places in life simply talking about myself and showing an interest in him or her we would have plenty to talk about.
So why London? To appreciate the differences and celebrate the commonalities and learn how to accept and thrive in another culture. I want to pay these Londonites the same courtesy I hope they will pay me in getting to know me as a person before they judge me as an American. Getting to know me in an intellectual conversation before they decide I can't possibly know what I am talking about all the way out here in London when all that I know is back thousands of miles from here in the states. Give me a chance. thats all I'm asking. If I disappoint you after that, then that's on me. But don't just count me out without a chance. Just my thoughts.

Radhi