Exploring London with Flying Dutchmen

My spring break here in Rome was held over Easter weekend, for obvious reasons. Since Rome is a place of pilgrimage for Catholics, it can get pretty crazy over Easter. So, I decided to meet up with my friends Annika, Jack (both studying in London with IES and CIEE respectively), and Grace (studying with IES …

Reasons to be Thankful

It seems strange to miss Thanksgiving this year. I love the traditions of family and friends getting together to share a delicious meal and reflect on what makes them grateful. My family even takes a collective nap after the feast. That is a relaxing and necessary communal experience after the indulgences. Being in a foreign …

The Little Things

Sunny days are a rarity in London, especially now that the sun sets at around 5pm. So, with my morning class canceled and the sun shining bright and warm, I went to the park. My friend Keena and I decided to go on a morning adventure to Hampstead Heath and we went on a lonely …

Navigating through Homesickness

I did not expect the homesickness caused by not being surrounded by the people who ground you while studying abroad. I knew I would feel some sort of homesickness from being so far away from the familiar. However, I didn’t realize I was in this liminal space until I met up with a friend from …

A Trip to the Sea

This past weekend I traveled to the coast of England to the incredible city of Brighton. It is a college town, so the whole place is very young. I felt like I fit right in. Additionally, being on the seaside, it is a very touristy destination, especially in the summer. The colder weather meant there …

No Spoilers

One of the coolest parts of living in an entertainment hub like London is that there are many movie premieres and exhibitions surrounding new projects throughout the city. I have seen celebrities on the streets and at film festivals. I have waited in droves of people to potentially see stars at the Dune premier. And …

Midterm Reflection

As I sit in a local cafe, pretending not to be procrastinating on my midterm studies, I am reflecting on my London day-to-day lifestyle. I’m getting used to academic shifts like having class once a week instead of 2 or three times. That has been a hurdle I didn’t expect to jump. It is like …

The Bard in Britain

“All the world’s a stage” – Shakespeare’s As You Like It These words have never rung as true to me as they do in my adventures in London. It is not that I am acting as a new person, but I am freer to explore new facets of my life to become a more authentic …

Street Art

One of my favorite parts of living in cities is the constant inundation of art. There are buskers in the street playing music at all hours of the day, free museums to explore, and street art and graffiti everywhere. Street art is so captivating to me because it is ever-changing. Artists can cover someone else’s …

Pinch-Me Moments

“It’s like a movie!”  I have been repeating this phrase so many times as I stand in awe at the beauty of England. From the bustling streets of the city to the quaint towns only a few miles away from London, I cannot get over how gorgeous the historic areas are compared to the modern …