One thing you will learn when you move to England is to adopt the pub culture and drink a proper beer. Fuller’s Brewery was established in 1845 where it stands today on the Thames in Chiswick. Every semester, CEA puts on a tour followed by a tasting where we are taught to taste all of the brews they create.
As a business model, Fuller’s (Fuller, Smith & Turner, Fuller’s for short) is an icon, they stick to tradition, which you will learn on the tour, and they still have their old copper equipment. But they also keep innovating. Perhaps one of the best examples is London Pride, their traditional bitter and Honeydew, a newer honey-sweetened ale. They have seasonal beers, and last semester they offered spiced ale for the winter. It was fantastic and this semester they offered a fruity ale for spring. They collaborate with families who have lived in Chiswick for generations and have seen the brewery grow. They care about their surroundings and traditions. They are as much a part of their community as the people are.
It is a humble culture here in London; daily life is fairly quiet everyone keeps to themselves, but when evening comes and high tea is over, the pubs come alive and you can talk to anyone. I recommend it. The best thing about London is that everyone goes to the pub no matter their socioeconomic standing. Everyone has a story, you just have to ask. I have met a couple of people who own a fashion merchandising company who had some fantastic marketing advice. A woman who owns a media investigation company. You will also meet people who will offer you jobs. I ended up getting some great experience out of meeting a woman queued for a drink. She is managing a showcase for some local bands and hired me as their media marketer.
The key is to have a drink and talk to the person next to you. Before this year, I would have never done that; I would have kept to my group because that is the American culture. Studying abroad in London abroad teaches you to get out of your comfort zone, it will change your life.
Hanna Neitzke is the Spring 2015 CEA MOJO in London, England. She is currently a Senior at Humboldt State University.