Editor’s note: This is an occasional series highlighting George Washington University students’ experiences in the Study Abroad Program. This entry was written on May 10 and has been edited for style and clarity.
Since my time in London and at University College London (UCL) has ended, I’ve been able to reflect on my favorite places. I finished classes at the end of March, but I kept myself busy by exploring the city while also doing some schoolwork. I went on some trips early in April, and I loved every minute of them—especially when I went to Wales and ran a half marathon, which was one of the best experiences of my life.
But as the end of April drew near, I had to start getting more serious about my schoolwork, so I needed to create a routine that would allow me to be productive. Part of this routine was finding a quiet place to do work, which ended up being the British Library. That became one of my favorite places, as it provided me with a safe, comfortable and quiet place where I was able to be productive and focused. It was only a 15-minute walk from my UCL accommodation, making it the perfect place to do work while also getting a little exercise in. Working from the library in London made me realize how I need to take advantage of the libraries in D.C.
Another incredible place is Regent’s Park. This park will always be special to me since it’s where I trained for my half marathon, and I saw it through both winter and spring. Even going for an evening walk or having a picnic there brought me so much joy. It made me appreciate the green spaces in cities, which is something London does so well.
I spent my free time reading on my Kindle, which I rarely leave my accommodation without. This brings me to one of my favorite places to read: the Tube (London’s public transport system also known as the Underground). It may seem surprising, but the Tube is actually quiet most of the time, as everyone is minding their own business. Even if my commute was just 10 minutes, I could pull out my Kindle and enjoy my book. While I miss my time on the Tube, I was excited to get back to D.C. and use my UPass again because the London Tube is expensive.
I also enjoyed Hampstead Heath, which was a quick Tube ride from my UCL accommodation. The park and the surrounding neighborhoods are lovely and such a great place to enjoy the beautiful weather that London had during the last few weeks of my stay. Growing up, my family would take a lot of walks on the weekend around our local parks, and Hampstead Heath reminded me of those walks, making it a very special place to me. I even went for a run there, which was incredible.
One place that really stuck out to me—and that I recommend to anyone visiting London—is Hampton Court Palace. This historical site is outside the city but definitely worth the 40-minute train ride. It’s famous for being the home of King Henry VIII and his six wives, and it was so cool to learn about their lives. It’s an amazing space that has been a huge part of history, and I feel so lucky to have been able to explore it. One thing that really got me excited about being there was that it’s a filming location for “Bridgerton,” which made the experience that much better.
Lastly, I want to mention Big Ben, also known as Elizabeth Tower. This was my favorite landmark because it truly is magical to look at, no matter what time of day or what the weather is like. I will never forget walking out of Westminster Tube station and seeing it.
Overall, my study abroad experience was amazing, and I’m so grateful to GW and my professors for helping me get this opportunity and to UCL for being such a great host institution. London will forever be one of my favorite cities, and I’m so grateful that I was able to create a life there. But I’m excited to be back in D.C. this fall and share stories of my experience with everyone!
