I hope to encourage future study abroad students to explore their heritage through travel! My experience was extra special because I was able to drive into my ancestry with my family, as they visited me in London.  

We knew that we had some ancestral ties to England, but we weren’t sure where at first. We ended up asking grandparents and other more distant relatives what they knew and traced parts of our lineage back to the Sussex area. So, to explore this aspect of our identity, we booked a train to Brighton and from there hopped on a bus to Sussex!  

England is known for its historical small towns in an area called the Cotswolds! These unique villages feature century-old buildings such as churches and pubs that you can explore!  

If you’re an animal lover you must visit the English countryside of Sussex! Everywhere you look there are farms filled with horses, cows, and sheep! 

Along the way we stopped at the Devil’s Dyke, a famous geographical site with amazing views into some of the small villages that make up Sussex. After that, we began our journey up to Seaford Head to see some of Sussex’s most famous sights like the Seven Sisters Cliffs.  

Stop at Devil’s Dyke to get some amazing views looking down on the small villages that make up Sussex! It’s only a day trip away! 

On our way, we stopped at a local farm for lunch where we had the most delicious farm-grown food. All of it was so fresh and you could even buy jams, ciders, and other fresh ingredients. 

After the quick pit stop, we drove through some smaller historic villages where we saw churches, cottage-style homes, and lots of sheep. The drive was far from dull as with every turn of your head there was a new breathtaking view of the English countryside to behold.  

Walk on the wild side at Seven Sisters! These cliffs are no joke with some of them getting up to 200 meters above sea level. 

Get up close and personal with the Seven Sisters. These cliffs are made of chalk which gives them their iconic perfectly white coloring! 

Once we reached Seaford Head, we began our hike. I definitely recommend any students visiting or studying in England to do this hike as the views were absolutely unreal, especially on a sunny day. The hike was not challenging (I even did it with regular tennis shoes) and seeing the cliffs in person was an unforgettable experience.  

Make sure to plan your visit to Sussex in the springtime so you won’t miss lamb season! It’s a joy to watch all the baby lambs jump around the fields of the English countryside. 

Sunset stroll anyone? The Seven Sisters are the perfect place to catch a beautiful sunset over the English countryside you’ll never forget. 

I was so lucky to experience part of my family’s history with them right alongside me! To any prospective students coming abroad, investigate your familial background, you might just find your next travel destination! 

Gaze into the sea of possibilities at Seven Sister Cliffs! These white cliffs used to be a tell-tale sign to soldiers and sailors that they were almost home after long voyages away! 

Have 500,000 pounds to spare? That will buy you a modest home in Sussex where homes can get up to millions in price.