Christine M. - London, England - SU 2012
Greetings Elmhurst Students!
I have been in London for almost three weeks now and I am
falling deeply in love with this city! I honestly never thought I could love
another city more than Chicago until now. The weather here was extremely
deceiving at first. It was 80 degrees
and sunny for an entire week! The average temperature here for the summer is
about 70 degrees, but it never seems to get that high. It tends to stay in the
low 60s so pack an umbrella, some wellies (rain boots) and some sweaters! You will
definitely need it because it rains every single day. Also, even though it’s
cold in the summer, it does not mean they sell fall/spring clothes. I still
have yet to find a warm sweater.
My biggest fear here was learning the public transportation
of the tube, but I learned it within in days! My first experience with it was
scary though. IES did not pick me up from the airport so I had to find my way
to my building on my own and asking for directions was out of the question
because no one knows where Frying Pan Alley is apparently. I have gotten lost
sometimes also, but I have embraced it because I have discovered some new
things. One of the first few days my friends and I went to the theatre district
and accidently found Parliament, the Olympic Countdown Clock and the London
Eye! I do recommend avoiding using the Central line when using the tube at all
costs! It is very crowded and hot because it is the closest line of the tube to
the surface. Also it is rude to stare at
people on the tube and almost no one speaks while riding it.
The program I am on is an internship program. I have a
leadership class every Friday which ties into my internship. I work in the
marketing and press department at the Royal Academy of the Arts. The first day I started working kicked off
the 244th gallery opening of the summer exhibition. I got to go to a
parade and service in a church for the artists as well as a cocktail party in
the middle of my work day. A few days later, I attended a private red carpet
party where I saw many British celebrities. Interns here are given more responsibility
and trust than in interns in the U.S. My co-workers are very nice. I was warned
that British people are not always friendly at first, but my coworkers wanted
to get to know me right away! They always have a good insight on where to go
and life in London.
Cheers!
I have been in London for almost three weeks now and I am
falling deeply in love with this city! I honestly never thought I could love
another city more than Chicago until now. The weather here was extremely
deceiving at first. It was 80 degrees
and sunny for an entire week! The average temperature here for the summer is
about 70 degrees, but it never seems to get that high. It tends to stay in the
low 60s so pack an umbrella, some wellies (rain boots) and some sweaters! You will
definitely need it because it rains every single day. Also, even though it’s
cold in the summer, it does not mean they sell fall/spring clothes. I still
have yet to find a warm sweater. 
My biggest fear here was learning the public transportation
of the tube, but I learned it within in days! My first experience with it was
scary though. IES did not pick me up from the airport so I had to find my way
to my building on my own and asking for directions was out of the question
because no one knows where Frying Pan Alley is apparently. I have gotten lost
sometimes also, but I have embraced it because I have discovered some new
things. One of the first few days my friends and I went to the theatre district
and accidently found Parliament, the Olympic Countdown Clock and the London
Eye! I do recommend avoiding using the Central line when using the tube at all
costs! It is very crowded and hot because it is the closest line of the tube to
the surface. Also it is rude to stare at
people on the tube and almost no one speaks while riding it.
If you do not like sandwiches, this is not the place for
you. Everywhere there are sandwich shops. They are pretty cheap (for London)
and have many different types except for Turkey! Drinks, food and clothing are
pretty expensive here. It is much
cheaper to buy food from the store and eat in. The exchange rate from GBP to
Dollar is almost double and not going down any time soon. Everything also closes extremely early. Pubs
close around midnight and some stores close around five or six. Also, just
because this is an English speaking country, does not mean all the words are
the same. If you say you want to take
your meal “to go” you get looked at weird because the proper way is to say
“take away.”
The program I am on is an internship program. I have a
leadership class every Friday which ties into my internship. I work in the
marketing and press department at the Royal Academy of the Arts. The first day I started working kicked off
the 244th gallery opening of the summer exhibition. I got to go to a
parade and service in a church for the artists as well as a cocktail party in
the middle of my work day. A few days later, I attended a private red carpet
party where I saw many British celebrities. Interns here are given more responsibility
and trust than in interns in the U.S. My co-workers are very nice. I was warned
that British people are not always friendly at first, but my coworkers wanted
to get to know me right away! They always have a good insight on where to go
and life in London.
If you want to ask me any questions I would be more than
happy to answer them for you! Ask Alice for my e-mail address!
Cheers!
posted by Alice N at 6/12/2012 10:53:00 AM
1 comments
