For spring break, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to London with my MEJO 447: Media in the UK class. Here are the top five similarities and differences I noticed during my time in London compared to the US. For this blog, I will be comparing London to NYC.

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Because this was a class trip, we had many site visits and networking opportunities with successful professionals in the Advertising, Public Relations, and Journalism industries. The main difference I noticed during these visits is how they conduct business. A prime example of this is in the US, when you are connecting with someone for a story or campaign that would be mutually beneficial, you usually engage in “small talk” to get to know the other person a little better before getting into exactly what you need from them. In the UK, this isn’t the case. You don’t call someone and ask how their day is going. You would need to cut the “small talk” and tell them exactly what you want in a way that is enticing and will get them on board. In the UK, they don’t usually emphasize establishing and building a relationship with the person you are working with/want to work with. This building usually comes later in the process, if at all.

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A similarity I noticed almost immediately between London and NYC is their methods of transportation. Because these are both large cities, many use public transit to get around. In NYC, many choose the subway as their method of getting around. London has its subway system called “the tube.” While their methods of transportation are very similar, the etiquette and overall atmosphere couldn’t be more different. When using the tube in London, it is normal to go in, sit down, remain silent, look at the ground, and simply enjoy the ride. For those that have been to NYC and have used the subway, you know that this isn’t the case. It is a very different atmosphere of people running around, talking loudly either on the phone or with those around them, and people performing both on and off the subway cars. Additionally, the tube seemed to be way cleaner and easier to use than the NYC subway system.

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Another major difference I noticed was how people in London communicated compared to those in NYC. British people tend to not use their words but rather their facial expressions and overall attitude towards things. You can tell what they are thinking by the look on their face, their body language, or even when they do a double-take when they hear an American accent. When they are displeased, you can tell through their eye-rolls and deep sighs. In NYC, this is far from their normal. A New Yorker will tell you exactly what they are thinking in a rather loud and blunt tone. If you are in their way, they will tell you to move, and usually not in the nicest way. From my experience, I think these differences come with the overall difference in social norms and atmosphere of these cities. NYC is known for the life of a hustling, fast-paced environment where everyone is in a rush to their next destination. Those in London tend to enjoy the journey to where they need to go a little more.

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I finally had the experience of trying Pret while in London. Pret is by far London’s choice for coffee and quick bites. This is evident through their many, many locations. The streets with heavier traffic even have 2-3 Prets, which only supports and strengthens its popularity. In NYC and throughout the United States, Starbucks and Dunkin are the coffee chains most popular with the public. While London still has Starbucks, they are not nearly as popular mainly because Pret offers more food options and comes at a more affordable price overall.

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While the traditional food in the UK is arguable not the best, they shine through their international cuisine. Both London and NYC share a striking similarity in their reputation for international cuisine. Both of these “food capitals” are filled with diversity which is directly shown through their cuisine as well as the magnitude of tourists that come to these cities hoping to experience all the different cuisines both these cities have to offer.

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These similarities and differences stood out to me during my time in London, but it is worth noting that the lack of a language barrier makes it easier to assimilate into day-to-day life. In just a few days, it is easy to feel like a local who takes the tube everywhere and enjoys the journey. Similar can be said about NYC. Once you assimilate to the environment around you, it is easy to feel like you are a part of the environment rather than an outsider looking in.

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Advice of the day: Be mindful of the cultural and societal norms of the place you are visiting. This not only shows respect to the place and those around you but also allows you to experience a full immersion into the place’s dynamic.

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Thanks for reading! 🙂

Another thing crossed off my bucket list! This spring break I traveled with my MEJO 447: Media in the UK class to London. We spent the semester learning about conducting business in the UK, the similarities and differences between the US and the UK, and having virtual site presentations with accomplished professionals in the UK. Once we touched down at Heathrow Airport, it was 9 am, we immediately got started with our day. Throughout the week, many of us packed our schedules to the brim. We wanted to make time for the firm/agency site visits, tourist attractions, markets, cuisine, and even taking some time to enjoy the nightlife in London, especially on St. Patrick’s Day! See some of my favorite things I got the chance to do while in London!

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On our second day in London, we were able to go to a Chelsea vs. Newcastle football game. While the game remained tied for most of the game, Chelsea scored and the crowd went wild! It was electrifying to be part of the fan section and to end our first Chelsea game with a win.

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A major hit among the class was the local markets and diving into their international cuisine. We took the time to explore the area, buy some gifts for loved ones, and have some great food from the food trucks and stands. While the traditional English food might not have been a fan favorite, the Indian, Italian, Chinese, Thai, and Turkish meals and desserts we were able to try were incredible and showcased the direct influence these cultures have in the heart of London.

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Big Ben has been under construction and scaffolding for the past five years and while we were there, we were able to see it new and improved. Despite being a gloomy evening, it was still a sight to see!

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While this trip was filled with many great activities, cuisines, and day trips, we spent many of our days touring agencies, listening to the career path of accomplished professionals, and had the chance to network. Special thanks to FleishmanHillard, Real Chemistry, APCO Worldwide, and Octagon for giving us great site visits and those who took the time to speak to us at UNC’s Winston House!

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Once we have spent a few days exploring London, we dedicated a day to visiting Stonehenge and Bath. It rained for our entire day site-seeing, but we were still able to enjoy our trip and had the chance to see the historical landmark, walk around, and explore the Roman Bath House!

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While we were in London, we were shocked by the clear skies, sunshine, and warm weather. Because we weren’t constantly hit by rain and gloomy days, we enjoyed days where we could simply stroll through the streets of London, take in the view, and even do a little shopping.

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Stay tuned for part 2 of my London blog posts where I talk about noteworthy similarities and differences between the US and the UK, with a more specifically on New York City and London!

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Advice of the day: When traveling, take in the moments of being in a new place. It is an incredible experience to immerse yourself in the cultures and social norms of the place you are in. You will be amazed how quickly you can start to feel like a local!

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Thanks for reading! 🙂

TikTok has taken the world by storm and has influenced every area of life, especially the consumer world. Products that barely sell or just came out end up going viral in a matter of days and then remain sold out for months after, like the Charlotte Tilbury’s contour and blush wands. Seeing the kind of traction content creators on TikTok have, TikTok has increased their max video length from three to 10 minutes!

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TikTok has been testing this change over the past several months and officially announced the launch in February. A spokesperson for TikTok spoke on this change saying “We’re always thinking about new ways to bring value to our community and enrich the TikTok experience. Last year, we introduced longer videos, giving our community more time to create and be entertained on TikTok.” Users will be notified when they receive the update and they can then start watching and making videos for up to 10 minutes. It is safe to assume that TikTok isn’t going anywhere and the impact this platform has on those that use it and the world around them will only increase.

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But what exactly does this mean for the future of TikTok? For starters, watch out YouTubers! Now that these videos can reach 10 minutes, TikTok has become an even stronger competitor to YouTube. This addition will likely have ads during the videos rather than just a few ads users see as they scroll through their “for you pages.” This will allow creators to benefit from the creator fund, brand deals, and ads more than ever before. I would expect that the YouTubers, and content creators in general, that have not TikTok one of their primary platforms, will begin to do so once the 10-minute videos begin. TikTok is the place to be and the best chance to get your content noticed.

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With the spring season rolling in, there are trends that I expect to go viral within the next few months. Keep an eye out for bright-colored workout sets, bikinis with bold prints, flowy linen pants, and lightweight makeup. I predict these trends will be IT this upcoming season and have already created some buzz on the platform!

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Advice of the day: don’t be afraid to think “outside of the box” and do something that you haven’t seen done before. That is the best way to get noticed (if that is your goal) and the best way to be your true self.

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Thanks for reading 🙂

Ms. Mong’s, an Asian fusion restaurant, was a fan favorite among UNC students until March 2020. Like many other small businesses on Franklin Street, Ms. Mong’s closed its doors in March when students didn’t return to campus, not knowing that it would be their last time due to the impacts of Covid-19.

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Students in Chapel Hill were upset, to say the least, when they came back to the area for the start of the 2021-2022 school year only to see a “Permanently Closed” sign on their favorite place. UNC Students went as far as to start a petition to bring Ms. Mong’s back, but soon there was word that a new restaurant would be replacing them. Only this time, it was a ramen & seafood restaurant.

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Just before the end of 2021, Pirate Captain opened for business serving authentic ramen, cajun seafood, poke, smoothies, and slushy. With this news, my friends and I decided to add this place to our bucket list of places to try on Franklin Street before we graduate in May. This past Sunday, the time had come for us to do just that, try Pirate Captain. My friends and I walked over, reminisced on what used to be Ms. Mong’s, and then went inside. Altogether, we ordered three ramens, two custom poke bowls, miso soups, and some pork gyoza, because no meal is complete without a dumpling of some sort.

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Overall, we were very pleased with the meals, pricing, and portion sizes. Surprisingly, when we arrived, the place was packed and we were lucky enough to score the last open table. The popularity Pirate Captain has gained in such a limited amount of time shows the niche they cater to and the lack of options available. Additionally, the quality of the meal has enticed others to return to the restaurant and has attracted new customers. This has only increased the popularity of Pirate Captain, especially within the last month.

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While Ms. Mong’s will live forever in our hearts for those that had the pleasure of knowing her, the quality and noteworthy popularity of Pirate Captain shows the start of something new, and new is good.

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Advice of the day: you might see this one coming…get out there and try something new! You never know what you might find when you take the chance, whether it’s something small or something you’ve thought about for a while but have never been bold enough to do. Now’s your time!

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Thanks for reading 🙂

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See some of Pirate Captain’s tasty food below!

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The Olympics’ Opening Ceremony began on February 4, and from that point, the most popular topic of conversation has been these Games. I thought it would be great to share some of the best and worst moments I have seen so far. With 109 events, more than any other winter season, there is much to see this Olympic Games!

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One of the best moments so far, and my favorite to watch, was Nathan Chen’s World Record performance in the first round of Men’s Figure Skating. He made the performance of a lifetime after falling during the last Winter Olympics. He earned the highest score ever in the men’s short program. His performance following this champion skate was electric and led to him winning gold over Japan by almost 22 points. Another best from these games was Team USA’s Chloe Kim winning back-to-back gold for the snowboard halfpipe last night (Eastern Time) to make herself the first woman to achieve back-to-back gold in this event.

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Arguably the worst moment in these games so far has been Russia’s gold-medal team competition ceremony being delayed for “legal consultations” after Kamila Valieva tested positive for using trimetazidine (TMZ), a banned drug. Valieva became the first woman to land a quadruple Salchow at the Olympics, but the focus of this moment is whether or not they will take away the Russian Olympic Committee’s gold in this event. Another low of these games has been Leslie Jones threatening to end her Olympics commentary. Jones claimed that the Beijing Games blocked her videos and abruptly exited from her role of Celebrity Olympics Commentator. Since this, NBC and Jones have come to an agreement and she will stay as an official Olympics correspondent.

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To end this post on a positive note, another highlight of the Olympic Games is, of course, the rainbow panda mascot named Big Dwen Dwen!

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It has been an eventful start to the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games, and there is more to come, so make sure to tune in and see if you can spot Big Dwen Dwen!

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Advice of the Day: Stay true to yourself and create an environment surrounded by those that are right for you and will encourage you to be your best self. Be BOLD, be FUN, and those who match your energy will come.

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Thanks for reading 🙂

Before “Divin’ In” and starting to post on this blog regularly, I wanted to share a little bit about myself as my first post. I am a senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill double majoring in Economics and Advertising/Public Relations at the Hussman School of Journalism and Media. Upon graduation, I hope to either do business operations or public relations in the consumer goods sector. Currently, I work as the Director of Public & Influencer Relations at MissEmpowHer and as a Business Operations Student Supervisor for UNC Campus Recreation. On-campus, I am involved in clubs that have helped shape me and give me friendships and memories to last a lifetime, but we will get into that later! Needless to say, I keep myself occupied, but professional life aside, I love to spend time with friends, go on long scenic runs, take photos, have dance parties (it’s a great time, trust me!), gain new experiences, and continue to find the adventure in everyday life!

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As I begin my last semester at UNC, I can’t help but think about how quickly these last 3.5 years have gone by. My college experience has brought me immense growth but not without its share of bumps in the road. This growth has led me to discover who I am, what my passions are, and how to face the stepping stones coming my way. This blog will follow me as I try to make the most of my last semester at UNC by being adventurous, valuing new experiences, further discovering who I am, and sharing some important life lessons that I learned along the way.

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I am so excited to share my ideas through this project, thanks for reading!