 "Photo: Marc Sundstrom")
 "Photo: Marc Sundstrom")
As I walk along the paved walking path in Regent's Park, London the sunlight slips through the tree branches as I walk with friends through a tree-covered canopy. The warm flutter of light casts upon our faces and our shadows are harsh upon the ground. The sun has started its retreat for the day. My surroundings are new to my senses for I hear, see and feel new things all around. The laughter of small children playing in the grass, the clatter of foot steps and the chatter of people conversing as they sit along the long line of wooden benches fill my ears. I hear many languages other than English and I see as many diverse people as I hear languages. Off in the distance, a game whistle blows and the winning roar of a local British football team can be heard. My friends and I pause for the celebration, glance at each other and say with excitement, "We go to school here. We are going to school in London!"
On Jan.18, 2007, I embarked on a journey that changed my life forever. Within five months, I broke out of my shell and no longer was I as na've, shy, or ignorant to the world outside of the United States, I would never be the same person ever again.
Upon arriving in London, I was for the first time, completely on my own. It was my time, my chance to discover myself and the world that lay just beyond my reach. With the ability to meet students from other schools and countries, travel inexpensively within Europe and to live in one of the most historic and diverse cities in the world, London, England is a place which I will always be able to call home.
Being that London is an international hub to the rest of the world, the city offers and endless number of choices to the public. It doesn't matter what you are into, whether you want to enjoy evenings at the theatre, attend symphonies, have a night out on the town from clubs to pubs or rocking out to live bands, London has is all.
After going to rock shows or to the theatre, it was customary for my friends and me to stop by a few pubs before heading back to campus. We had become regulars at the Volunteer, a local pub, which is right off Baker Street and within about a five-minute walk from campus. Upon entering, the atmosphere was relaxed and at ease. It was a small, reasonably quiet local scene where people from around the area were often found at night. Smoke, the smell of British beer, voices, laughter, life stories and stories of the day filled the air. We found a place to sit on the comfy couches in the back and chatted with each other and the locals, and bought the usual rounds for one another. It was the perfect way to end the night.
No matter where you need to go around London, you can walk and take in the beauty of the hugely metropolitan city, or take the various systems of public transportation such as the tube, city buses, or cabs. The public transportation in England and throughout Europe is amazing in that it is relatively cheap for students and most transportation systems arrive and depart frequently.
For anyone abroad in London, I would suggest walking around the city as much as possible, but always have a map (A-Z Guide) on you, don't get lost without it. Getting lost in London will let you discover the city on your own, but it is good to have a few friends along because the city not only makes the experience, but the people you are with and the people you meet play an even larger role. Experience London and its unbelievable beauty and make it your own.
By walking around London with no destination, you may stumble upon one of the many markets like Camden, Spitalfield, Portobello or Petticoat market, which offer anything from fresh foods and meats to the latest fashions. Make sure to wander through Hyde, Regent's or St. James Park which are another beautiful aspect of the city.
Camden Market, which was my favorite place to go, is only about a half hour walk from Regent's and if you are into old and new clothing, this is the place to go. The people their range from artists trying to get their designs out to the public, to people preaching about religion to others who are paid by local stores to stand with hugely obnoxious signs to get your attention about sales. The people holding the signs are usually the most interesting seeing that some of the men are covered in makeup, piercing, outrageous clothes (which are amazing) and multicolored hair. People in Camden come from all walks of life which makes it fascinating. From the latest fashions to punk and techno styles to homemade leather goods and more, Camden Market is an experience in itself.
Being raised in the United States, many people feel that our country is old, but compared to Europe, the United States is an infant in relation to its presence. Through the many fieldtrip classes offered through the Regent's College Program, I was able to read about the historical meaning and importance of sites, paintings and artifacts one day, and then visit them and physically experience them the next.
While you are in the city, it is really like walking through a real life history lesson. I know this may sound boring but when pieces of the 2,000 year old city wall are still standing, you can just reach out and touch a part of London's history. You cannot help becoming interested in its history when it surrounds you.
Also, most museums in London are free for the public to enjoy. With chances to see artifacts dating back to the Roman Empire, to master pieces created by some of the world's most renowned artists past and present, the city is immersed in the arts and not something to be passed up. Some museums I would suggest are all of the Tate Museums, the Victoria and Albert, the Imperial War Museum, Museum of London, the British Museum and the Science Museum. London also offers an amazing look into churches as well. Be sure to visit such places as Westminster Abby, St. Paul's Cathedral and Southwark Cathedral. The amount of information whether it is historical or otherwise will blow your mind.
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