Cheers, and welcome to London! This week, I will be writing The Fordham Ram’s study abroad column. Pour yourself a spot of tea, grab a biscuit and sit down to read all about my first two weeks at Fordham University London Centre.
I flew into Heathrow Airport the second week of January and immediately headed to the baggage claim. Why? Because the first stop on my glamorous journey was to pick up my massively overpacked luggage. After collecting what could be deemed “the biggest bag to ever fly over the Atlantic Ocean,” I headed to the train station. Although it was a bit confusing at the start, my first time using London’s public transportation system was a breeze, and I soon arrived at my home-away-from-home for the next five months.
My first week was a whirlwind of Fordham-sponsored activities and exploring London. Each day, we had a few orientation events and then were encouraged to explore our new neighborhood. The first day, my friends and I headed to see some of London’s most famous sights. We stopped by the London Eye, strolled along the River Thames and, of course, headed over to Big Ben. It is safe to say that after visiting, approximately half of my camera is filled with pictures of ole’ Ben!
Later in the week, we visited Buckingham Palace to try to catch a glimpse of the Royal Family. The palace is beautiful, and the architecture is amazing. Unfortunately, we were unable to make the royal guards laugh, which was a slightly disappointing outcome, but definitely expected.
Of the welcome week events, one of my favorites was a Fordham-sponsored boat tour of the River Thames. As my roommate always says, the best way to explore a city is on the water. The evening ride was gorgeous and indeed a great way to explore the city.
Historical sites and tourist attractions aside, one of the most exciting parts of studying abroad in Europe has been the food. Although I am not a fan of beans on toast, I certainly do enjoy my fair share of English delicacies. I have yet to dabble in a full English breakfast, but I have tried bubble and squeak, a dish consisting of fried potatoes and cabbage. It is fantastic. The first classic British meal I tried was a jacket potato, which, if you are unfamiliar, is essentially a loaded baked potato. Mine was filled with ham, cheese and sour cream. It was amazing! I also tried fish and chips at a local pub. The meal was (and I don’t say this lightly) life-changing.
I also tried one of England’s most sacred traditions, the Sunday roast. After surviving almost a full week in London, my friends and I commemorated the occasion with the traditional roast. The meal consisted of English classics like roasted vegetables and Yorkshire pudding, which is essentially a flakey piece of bread. The meal was delicious and well worth it. After trying it, we decided that a weekly Sunday roast definitely has the potential to become a permanent tradition.
After a great first few weeks adjusting to London, I am looking forward to further exploring and keeping the Ram updated on my travels. Until next time!
