In Skype sessions with my family, I have often said that I love studying abroad in London because everything is so accessible. It is not surprising that someone like me who’s lived in the same small town I was born in to say. I often find myself sitting in class or on the Tube or in a café and reminding myself that yes, I am in London! Here are my favorite places in London:
Regent’s Park. One of the great things about London is that they have so may parks. Just opposite Uni, Regents Park is nestled; I often go running around the park, not really seeing what is inside. But when I finally went inside, I found that there are beautiful hidden rose gardens and pathways that are a nice escape from the fast paced hustle and bustle of the city.
MEATliquor. One of our favourite restaurants is this grungy, loud and dark American food restaurant. They are open until two every morning and serve an extensive list of mixed drinks and burgers. They best thing about MEATliquor is that the centre of the restaurant is a dome with great murals and writing all over the walls, every time we go we discover something new.
National Gallery. Most of London’s museums are free: a dream-come-true for a student in this city. I love art (I was almost an art history major) and there is no shortage of artistic expression in this city. They have beautiful collections that you have seen online while studying, but when you see it just a foot away from you, it is hard to recognize and so much better than you imagined.
The Markets. Artisan and food markets here are better than I have read about on Time Out or Trip Advisor. They have everything you could imagine. Just last week I got a beautiful cut-out card for my sister’s birthday at Old Spitalfields, and often on a Saturday, fiends of mine and I will go to the Borough to get fresh produce to cook a “family dinner” for the night.
Getting places is easy on the Tube, so when you have the opportunity to walk across a bridge or through the high streets, take it. Breathing in the air and people watching is fantastic. London is a beautiful city with such diversity and hidden gems that you might miss if you are not careful. I was talking with my CEA study abroad coordinator, Cassandra, while on a walk. I asked her what her favourite part of London was. She said she couldn’t decide, but the only thing she wishes was different is that she could go everywhere at once because there is always so much going on at once.
Hanna Neitzke is the Fall 2014 CEA MOJO in London, England. She is currently a Senior at Humboldt State University.