• High tea is an absolute must when visiting London. In my experience, it was the perfect way to kickstart our study abroad program. It was a great way to appreciate the culture and all the beauty in it. While Brits seem to drink tea all day long in London, high tea is set for a more special occasion or in place of a meal. We each received our own teapot full of the tea of our choice and then endless amounts of pastries and sandwiches arrived. The scones and jam were definitely my favorite, but it was all delicious. Needless to say I will be having another high tea before leaving London since each experience is so unique. 

When my group first arrived CEA CAPA welcomed us with an afternoon tea at The Melody. 

The endless number of museums means there is always something to fill your time. And the best part is that most are free. Two of my personal favorites are the Victoria and Albert and the Natural History Museum. Both of these are about a ten-minute walk from the CEA CAPA London Study Center which makes them so convenient to visit. Not only are the exhibits wonderful to walk through, but the buildings themselves make such a statement. I am always in awe of the architecture when walking everywhere. 

Exploring the Victoria and Albert Museum, one of the many free museums London has to offer. 

• Living in a city can be very overwhelming with so many people and concrete buildings everywhere. Luckily London has numerous parks that run for miles. In between classes I love to walk Kensington Gardens which is a short walk from CEA CAPA. It is such a pinch-me moment. St. James’s Park in the center of Westminster is another great place for amazing views of the iconic monuments of London like Buckingham Palace and Big Ben. I was surprised to see such green grass and flowers growing in winter but I cannot wait to see everything in full bloom once spring arrives. Primrose Hill is such a quaint area, if you are lucky enough to see the view on a sunny day, it is by far one of the most picturesque places in London. 

Me and some of my roommates enjoyed the sunny day on top of Primrose Hill. 

London’s parks are so beautiful and filled with flowers even in winter. 

• London is a city of markets! Food, clothing, art, you name it: London has it. Borough Market on the bank side is a must-visit specifically for some good food, but there are so many others that are worth a trip. Me and my roommate came across Leadenhall Market which ironically is also a filming location of the movie “Wonka.” It is in the business district and resembles the iconic fashion mall in Milan. My roommate decided to try a chocolate croquembouche and has not stopped talking about it since. We will be going back! 

My roommate and I love exploring all the different markets London has to offer. Leadenhall Market is just a short walk from our apartment in the business district. 

It wouldn’t be London without the iconic sights that are in your backyard. Riding the London Eye at night is nothing but magical. Catching the sunset from Tower Bridge has become a favorite after coming home from my internship. Not to mention the countless churches you see when walking anywhere. So many places filled with such rich history are a close walk or a short tube ride away. 

Me and some friends on my program rode the London Eye at night which was such a cool experience. 

Walking Tower Bridge during sunset has become one of my favorite activities. 

My favorite neighborhood to frequently visit is without a doubt the West End. Shows are so easy to see in London. My roommate and I bought tickets an hour before the show started one Friday night. Since being here I have seen “Frozen,” “The Book of Mormon,” and “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.” All phenomenal! Regardless of how you choose to see a show, the West End is so fun to visit at night when everything is lit up and there is so much fun energy! 

I absolutely love theater and have seen three musicals thus far! It is such a fun and easy activity to do during the week. 

The sights, architecture, museums, theater, etc., are endless in London. Whether you reside in Chelsea or Whitechapel or elsewhere, so much is easily accessible through a walk or public transportation. The neighborhoods themselves are even a fun place to stroll and see the different environments they offer. London is a city of so many cultures and that is what makes it so special! 

I pass St. Paul’s Cathedral on my way to the grocery store and it is always so beautiful.