Studying abroad in London was the best experience. I went with the CIEE program, and the people I met working for the company were terrific. They made the trip fun and easygoing. I took a British theatre history class for my theatre degree, and the course was spectacular. The professor took us on all kinds of trips around the city and took us to a couple of shows as well. Being able to learn the rich history of theatre in London really helped me learn a lot about my career and even the city of London itself. The people I met while in London, in and outside of the program, are people that will always have a special place in my life. I think the best thing about the program I was on is how much time we had to really be on our own and experience city life in London. Being able to just hop on a tube or bus and go anywhere was such a great adventure. We stayed in Kentish town which is pretty close to just about everything when the tube stop is just a 2-minute walk from the stay club. I think my favorite places to visit were the West End and Camden town. The West End was always fun because that is where all of the major shows are. Westminster in general was my favorite, but the West End for exclusively.
Camden was fun because of all the little shops and restaurants it had to offer. I ended up buying a lot of my family’s gifts from there! Being in London was great and all the people I met and spent time with were great too, but there were days that I needed to myself. I found myself spending a lot of time in Russell Square since it was right across the street from class and the trees were beautiful there. I walked there a lot and would always take a book with me to read whenever I would sit at the park benches. One of the biggest surprises to me was how nice the people were once they realized I was American. I remember one time I got super lost on the tube and had to ask an older gentleman how to get back to Kentish. I was apparently on the wrong line completely and he got off with me and took me to the line I needed to be at.
I think what this trip really showed me is how the world is too big for us to think so closed minded. People are willing to help you, to grow with you, to have fun with. This world is too small and our time is too short to not live every day to the absolute fullest of its potential. London was a wonderful experience and I would definitely go back if I ever get the chance. The city is a big place and there was only so much I could do in just a month.
Noah Fernandez (BA Theatre) spent Summer 2022 studying abroad in London, England through CIEE. Noah had the following to say about studying abroad, “Studying abroad in London was an absolute blast. The class I took was super fun, the professor was really engaging, and the friends I made were so amazing.”
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