Dear [insert name of professor here], I realize I have missed a few classes and seminars (and blog posts!) the past few weeks, but I have some pretty great excuses—would you like to hear them? I thought so. A couple weekends ago, I woke up later than usual and missed a very important bus of mine to Stonehenge. I know what you must be thinking—Casey, how does missing a bus to Stonehenge on the weekend have anything to do with you not coming to my class? Well, professor, when I missed that bus, something snapped inside of me, something dangerous. It was a side of me I have always known was there, but have failed to see in its full form until now. It was my fernweh (a cooler word for wanderlust, or a desire to travel). When I realized I had missed that bus, I opened up my computer and, without thinking twice, booked a train and a bus ticket to Salisbury where, upon arrival, I ran to a taxi, begging him to speed (safely, of course) to Stonehenge, which closed 4 minutes after my taxi driver dropped me off. (Stonehenge, by the way, is magnificent. Please go someday if you haven’t already.) After seeing the stones, I got a lift back to Salisbury by a tour bus driver, where I saw the outside and courtyard of the Salisbury Cathedral, where one of four remaining original copies of the Magna Carta is located! When I finally returned to Cardiff, I was exhausted after a long day of absorbing information, I didn’t read for class, so felt I wouldn’t be able to fully understand or grasp the concepts presented in the lecture, which is why I felt it was alright for me to miss it and go to the Lake District (where I hiked up the highest peak in England!) with IFSA-Butler—the program giving me this wonderful opportunity to study abroad and learn about myself via experiencing a new culture, which is exactly what I’m doing! Don’t you want to me learn and engage with my studies? Ta-da! I am, all the way from Ireland (Dublin, Howth, Cork, and Blarney—yes, I kissed the stone—to be exact)! This past week, half of my lectures were cancelled, giving me a reading week to prepare for big, important papers I will have to write very soon. You know how much effort you want me to put in to writing your papers, right? So isn’t it fair for me to miss one of your lectures to spend time reading and writing for my other class’ essay [on a plane to Dublin] as long as I take just as much time learning and understand the material and write up an awesome essay for yours? I think so…I hope you do, too… Just know that I am having a blast in this country and others. I am learning a lot about myself, different cultures, people in general, etc., which is exactly why I came to Cardiff University in the first place. Did I mention I also had a legitimate excuse and (finally) went to the doctor? Yep, still sick. *cough cough* Although I’ve enjoyed traveling a ton and don’t regret any of it—even if my slowly diminishing bank account says otherwise—here I am, asking for forgiveness from you, professor, because I really do love the classes I’m taking here at Cardiff and feel bad for missing class, since it’s something I’d ever do back home. Emory professors always know… #smallschoolprobs Sincerely, Casey [in Cardiff] **For those of you reading this who are thinking Oh my goodness, Casey, what do you think you're doing sending that to your professors, please know I am NOT actually sending this out to anyone! The good little E&H student that I am actually emailed each of my lecturers and seminar tutors and told them I wasn’t able to make it in to class. Apparently that’s not normal here, or at any other university larger than 1,200 students. They all just laugh it off via email, which is really awkward to read, in case you didn't know. So the joke is really on me! Whoops!
4 Comments
Mom
11/4/2016 08:00:22 am
Wow.
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Kate
11/4/2016 09:03:24 am
You go girl!
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Jolie
11/30/2016 05:54:11 am
Can't you excerpt one of those surprised emails you got back from a lecturer/tutor when you said you'd be missing class? I've definitely never seen such a thing here!
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Casey
12/1/2016 04:10:45 am
I'll find one and forward it to you! They're all pretty great!
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Casey HeinleinI'm Casey [current world traveler, food & drink enthusiast, novice blogger, lover of the ampersand, & the connections that come with it] in Cardiff. Contact me here.
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