Kasey Demps, a MSW grad, reports in from England on public transportation and diversity

Kasey Demps

Nov. 3, 2008 - I have been in England for one month and it has been such an adventure. Just navigating the public transportation system alone is quite a challenging activity, but surprisingly enough, it has been one of the best parts of the trip.

  Public transportation is so different here; it is a way of life.  It is efficient and it is everywhere.  There are all different walks of life on buses, tubes, and trains.  People from all nationalities speaking different languages everywhere you go.

 There is no stigma attached to it; poor people, middle class, students, elderly…everyone utilizes public transport and mingle amongst each other every day.  It is all very exciting.

I have had people tell me that if you live in London you do not truly get the full experience of England and English people.  I have been really lucky to live near London and experience its diversity but then work in a leafy green, traditional English suburb.

 No matter where you are diversity is the culture, here.  Which I have to say, has been a little intimidating at work but my education kicks in and it is not anything that I cannot handle.  It is ironic at times when I realize that they are unable to relate to me as well.  A lot of the people I am serving have never met someone from the US before.  I have even had clients tell me that it is hard to understand my accent.  In the beginning, I felt too aware of my differences, but I am myself now and just focus on the work and it’s no big deal.  So, I have begun to realize that the best part about this experience is being put in a position where I am in the minority and I am the one who sticks out in the room. 

Despite what I am feeling or experiencing it is just nice to jump in and start doing the work.  I will try and put something together about the differences in our systems and the different role social workers play in social services, but for now I just wanted to talk about the biggest things I deal with on a day-to-day basis, which is life on public transportation and being the “American.”

Stay tuned for the next update by Kasey Demps, a recent MSW graduate of the IU School of Social Work.