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Julia
How I Fell In Love with London
As I was running through St. James Park one late afternoon I was becoming more aware of the sights and sounds around me. I was at awe at the immaculately up-kept flower beds that housed a vast array of colorful flowers; the beautiful lake that was home to a variety of ducks, pelicans, and white and black swans; the charming little cottage in the midst of the park’s vegetation; the tiny island in the middle of the lake; and of course the magnificent trees that grow downwards forming a barrier around their trunks. As I was being mesmerized by these surroundings I was also attempting to dodge the numerous tourists who were taking pictures and strolling though the park. These peaceful and beautiful sights along with the hustle and bustle of a large city were the perfect mix that made me fall in love with the city of London.
My runs in St. James Park and Green Park became one of my favorite activities while in London. We scholarships recipients resided in the center of the city by Victoria Station. Our residence was a five minute walk away from these two parks, which happen to both be located around the Buckingham Palace. This perfect location also allowed us to have quick access to the Westminster Abbey, the Big Ben, the Parliament, the London Eye, and a variety of other attractions. The University of Westminster, the school we attended during our month abroad, was also only two tube stops away from Victoria. Due to its proximity I decided to walk to school each morning. This walk was one of the best ways to start off each day. During the thirty five minute journey I walked past the Buckingham Place, through Green Park, past the Ritz Hotel, and along Regent Street, which brought me past some of the best shopping in the entire city. Experiencing the morning rush, the busy streets, and the beautiful architecture of the city during these walks was a great experience that made me feel comfortable and at home in this foreign city.
The summer course I decided to take was a London history class titled Londinium through the Blitz: History of London through the Museums. This class was one of the most enjoyable and insightful modules I have ever taken. I was able to learn about London’s culture and history through lecture and daily visits to local museums and areas pertinent to the period being covered by our instructor. Through this course I received the chance to visit some places that I did not know existed, all of which I found fascinating. In class and at university organized social events I was also able to meet other students in the program. These new friends made the daily sightseeing and weekend nightlife an even more exciting experience. Some of these individuals have become friends who I will stay in touch with in the future. The other four scholarship winners from Arizona and my newfound friends greatly enriched this entire trip.
On the weekdays I would attend class and then go sightseeing around London. I became accustomed to the tube, busses, and streets quickly and visited almost everything touristy by the end of the trip. Some of the things I would greatly recommend are touring the Parliament (which is only open to the public during the months of August and September), climbing St. Paul’s Cathedral, and visiting the National Gallery and the British Museum. In the evenings I would go for a run and later attend our nightly dinners. The five of us, plus two girls from Michigan who we became good friends with, would eat and rehash our day’s events in one of the kitchens at our dorm. Pasta was the cheapest food and thus became our choice for almost every dinner meal. These small social gatherings became a ritual we had a hard time letting go of once we had to say goodbye to London. We also went to local pubs later on in the night a few times a week. Kavanagh’s is an Irish pub at South Kensington tube stop that became our favorite place on Thursday nights. The live band and the atmosphere are spectacular and I would greatly recommend it to anyone who visits London in the future.
As scholarship recipients who were supported by the City of London Corporation, we received the opportunity to meet the Lord Mayor of London and sit in on one of the council meetings. This is a very privileged opportunity of which I was very appreciative. I thought it was a great way to learn about London’s traditions and that it was helpful in understanding how the City of London Corporation functioned. All individuals who met us that day were extremely kind and helpful. It was a pleasure to be received in such a manner. At this meeting the London Rotary Club also extended their invitation for a lunch with their members the following week. I attended this event as well. During this period of time I was able to enjoy meeting many prominent members of the London community and learned a great amount from our conversations.
On the weekends we usually had the urge to travel. Every trip I took was with a group that was some combination of the people I arrived with and the people I met in London. I visited Stonehenge, Bath, Greenwich, Edinburgh in Scotland, Brighton, Windsor Castle, and Cambridge; all of which I absolutely loved. Bath was amazing due to the history surrounding the city and its uniqueness when compared to almost all other places in the United Kingdom. Cambridge had the most beautiful college campuses I have ever seen and there I got the chance to try a few new things. This is where I first tasted an ostrich burger (it was delicious!) and went punting, which is what river boating through the city is called. However, Edinburgh was my favorite place of all. Three other girls and I took a night bus there and back and saw some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. The night bus (not recommended if you actually want to sleep) was a much cheaper option to getting to Scotland. Once there we toured the Edinburgh Castle, climbed the most hills we have ever been on, and saw some of the best architecture. These weekend trips were spectacular and were all relatively near London. London’s proximity to such an abundance of places makes this city even more impressive.
I cannot begin to express my gratitude for this opportunity to live and study in London this summer. I have learned a lot about the culture and history of the city, and most importantly, gained memories and experiences that will last a lifetime. This experience is unparallel to anything else I have ever done and I am truly thankful to the Lake Havasu Rotary Club and the City of London Corporation for their sponsorship. I greatly recommend all students who attend one of the three universities in Arizona to apply. Once you experience studying abroad in London, you will never forget it. I know for a fact that it was one of the most beneficial experiences of my life.