Traveling from England to Washington State in the USA

Being my first blog, I’d like to begin by introducing myself and describing my story of coming to the United States and Green River College.

My name is Toby Cutts, and I’m from Essex in southeast England. A moment on my trip to the U.S. that stuck with me was saying goodbye at the airport to my youngest brother Freddie, one of my best friends. Competitive, good at everything and always trying to beat me, Freddie is probably my worst enemy as well. When I look back on my journey coming here, saying goodbye to him at Heathrow was the hardest thing I’d ever done … until I encountered the quarter-mile sprint from one plane to the next when connecting in Vancouver.

Working toward my dream

Studying abroad was always a dream of mine, to travel the world and immerse myself in diverse cultures differing drastically from my village life back home. Finally discovering a world beyond the south of England was something I needed. For the past 4 years, I have been working alongside my studies to save for a future life I could only dream of. First as a manual labourer on building sites, then in a pottery studio, and now behind the bar serving wedding guests at Gosfield Hall. When finding Green River College, I was instantly met with support and advice on how to accomplish the goals I had set.

From here the support did not stop. After boarding the Boeing, with a pocket full of phone numbers (given to me by the college) to dial if any trouble arose, I was then greeted by Cathy at the Seattle airport. Not only did Cathy drive me to CCA and help me find my room, but in the next few days also helped me set up my bank account and new phone number. In this way, I realised the support was just as present at the college as it was in helping me get there.

Making an impression

Arriving in the evening, with no roommates in sight, I began to settle myself in with a welcome box kitted with everything a new student would need: a toothbrush, bedding, a towel, cutlery, and plates. Deciding then, that it was definitely time to get washed, I headed for the shower. With no soap (hoping my roommates would prefer I borrow some body wash than smell like the sewers) I took a well-needed wash. This is where things began to get interesting.

As I began drying myself off, stupidly forgetting to bring my fresh clothes to the shower with me, I prepare for my next sprint … to my room. This time in nothing but my towel. At this point, I hear the front door click open and instead of the sophisticated introductions I was hoping for, was forced to greet my roommates in nothing but my towel. Ironically though, it wasn’t the near nudity I was afraid of. Instead, it was the mutual acknowledgment of how great I now smelled, the same scent I knew one of these three guys would be wearing.

To this day I am unsure if they knew the crime I had committed, but we all now get on very well. So this has not stunted our friendship — until they stumble across this blog perhaps? 

I hope you have enjoyed reading, and are interested in hearing more stories on college life, and life in Washington. I am sure many of you have your own stories to share, and I am excited to help share them.

Toby Cutts from England is studying environmental science at Green River College.