Thank You

Hey everyone,

So I have been home about a week, and I have started to get back in the swing of things here back in the states. I have started work, got a new phone, and are getting ready to move into my apartment back up at my University here in the states. But this time has allowed me to think about the year that I have spent in the UK. The friendships I made, the experiences I had, and the places I saw have turned me into the person I am today, and I am so thankful for that. So right now looking back I wanted to put into words what this trip met to me and I thank those who I had the pleasure to meet.

Dad and Beth, thank you for supporting the idea that I wanted to study abroad, and making me do all the work to get me there. Because of that I feel I have grown more independent, which makes me a better human being. I know you guys didn't have much, but the fact that you both tried so hard to try to get me here was more than enough. The constant Skype calls, and messages made the adjustment easier believe me. Beth it was great seeing you in Germany, and Dad I look forward to seeing you when you get back. So thank you again for your support and I can't wait to see you both when you come state side once again. Love you guys!

Thomas Janis, most of the readers really don't realize that you were the one sending and receiving everything I needed in order to come here. You were the ultimate study abroad middle man. I'm sorry if I seemed overbearing at times when I came to getting information, I was just a little too excited. But thank you for your guidance and help getting me to the UK, working with both Uni's for classes and making sure I was alright. I look forward to catching up with you when I get back to campus in the fall. And Laura thank you for meeting with me when I was deciding where to study. If it wasn't for your input I don't know if I would of ended up in Plymouth, but I am so glad I did. And to be quite honest I couldn't think of a better British city to spend my year!

Haley, I think there might be a little bit too much to thank you for to write it all down in this post, but I'll give it my best shot. First thanks for not disappearing on me well I was away. I know many people that would have just thrown in the towel a month or two in, but for some reason you didn't and that means more than you can imagine. Thanks for listening to me on nights I was over stressed or just plain homesick. It was amazing to see you when you came over here for the winter break. That was some of the best traveling I got to do when I was there, and I can't wait to adventure some more when I'm home. I know that you know hate Skype and in all honestly I don't plan to use it anytime in near future to talk to you! But above all thank you for being the amazing person that I have come to know, and know I am not going anywhere.

Mama Liz, and Ed, ok little bit of real talk here. If it wasn't for you I won't have taken this trip in the first place. In my hour of need, you and Ed backed me on my loan to make this crazy dream, well a crazy reality. I can't thank you enough for this opportunity of a lifetime that you have given me. And thank you for giving up your Christmas stateside just to come hang out with me in London. I can say that I will never forget that Christmas. And every Sunday like clockwork on Skype gave me something to look forward, so I look forward to continuing that when I get back home. Thank you for everything you've done so far and for your support over the years. I love you both!

Ok now for all the people that I have met in Plymouth and or have asked for a shoutout in this blog (UPFC Sparrows...) here's to you.

My flatmates, Tom, Ellie, Rob, Sophie, Katie, and Rose, thank you all for an amazing year. Thanks for helping me adjust and deal with all the cultural differences. I will miss the conversations we had at dinner, and Tom's constant banter about how crazy us American's are and how we suck at grammar. But above all I will always remember both your hospitality, grace, and welcoming spirit of me, the exchange student of the group, over the past year. Thank you all and I wish you all luck during the rest of your time at uni. Enjoy it, because it goes by fast.

Enactus Plymouth, Ant, Tom S, Laura Morgan, Laura Merchant, Alex, Katie, Hannah, Tom D, Lenni, Fabin, and the rest of the Enactus crew. First off, thank you for allowing me to become one of family if only for a year. By working with you all I have grown as a person, and as a business leader. I look forward to taking those skills back and putting them to good use wherever I end up. I know every single one of you have the skill set and the drive to get you where you want in your life. It was a pleasure to work as the Recreo team leader and I look forward to seeing how it grows. Thank you all,  but I know I'll see you all again!

OK UPFC Sparrows here is your moment. Boys it's been an amazing time playing football with you lot. Like I said in a previous post, thanks for letting me be that token American that plays nothing like Clint Dempsey. Although we may not have won a title the wins that we did get we're very well deserved. Adam thank you for being a solid captain this year and letting me join the team later in the season. Ismael thank you for being over the top and 100% the whole season! I look forward to hearing about how next season goes! Seb, it's been a long year going from Pilgrim Halls FC to playing together as Sparrows. I wish your Newcastle all the best to go back up next season. Scott keep that back line together next year and Jesse keep scoring screamers from right back. PK work on not missing your sitters and you'll be world class...well for Plymouth Uni. Lucien keep calling for the ball it will eventually get to you. Morgan thank you for giving me the chance to play CDM it was an honor, but don't be afraid to switch the play every now and again. Will keep making those runs and the goals will start coming! Darro boss the midfield next year just like you did this season. Karl I wish you the best next season and kill it in varsity next year! And for anyone I missed again it's been a pleasure and I can't wait to see what you all do in the future!

For everyone else I met or worked on a project with. Don't think you've gone unnoticed. It was a pleasure getting to know you this year and I hope to see you all again at some point in life. If it wasn't for your hard work and understanding I would not have enjoyed Plymouth Uni as much as I have.

So as my pilgrimage from Plymouth to Plymouth has come to an end. However, the memories and friends I have made there will last a lifetime. I never thought how much I would get attached to the city of Plymouth, but at this point I wouldn't have it any other way. Thank you to all who have supported me and have read this blog. You all made me want to write this and I never thought it would grow into something that people wanted to read. I'm glad you got to see my journey through my eyes. Plymouth was hard to leave but when I stepped on my flight to fly back home I was able to have a smile on my face from what I accomplished this year, and learned. Now Although this story has run its course, I am happy I got a chance to experience it. Experiences like this have to begin, be enjoyed, and end at some point and that point is now. But this was my experience, so thank you all for making this experience what it was.

Thank you,
Tucker Moss