As a recent graduate, the choice to move back home can be a somewhat daunting prospect. For me, the concept of living with my mother once again seemed likely to constrain my much-appreciated freedom. The idea of staying in my childhood bedroom with posters on my wall of outdated bands would not do much for my credibility. And, after appreciating the benefits of a university ‘bubble’, London-life would undoubtedly be much less sheltered. However, when I received an MSc offer from LSE in February, this was a choice that I had to make.
When I initially applied for university to study for my undergraduate degree, staying in London was far from a priority. Don’t get me wrong: I adore London but I was ready for a change and, at the clearly wise and omnipotent age of eighteen, I fully associated change with moving. Therefore, I picked a campus university, not too far so that I was able to come back quickly if affected by homesickness, and not too close, so my return was not expected every weekend. At the time, this was the right decision, and I was very happy with my choice.
However, when I was faced with a similar decision over where to do my master’s, the chips fell in a different way and I chose London. There were a number of reasons for this. The idea of being taught by world-renowned academics at LSE was extremely appealing. LSE was also my father’s alma mater and he teared up with joy the day I received my offer. I also missed the perks of living in a metropolitan city: the tube, walking past famous monuments on a daily basis and having a Tesco that remained open past 4 p.m. on a Sunday.
Of course, I would be lying if I told you that any of these were the one true reason for my most recent choice. In all honesty, I chose London this time for the same reason I chose to leave London the first time: I wanted a change. It seems that three years and one degree later, I am no more wise or omnipotent than before. As Robert Frost chose the road ‘less travelled by’, I chose the road I had already travelled by and wanted to revisit. I hope I am as happy with this decision as I was with my first.
