7 Reasons Starting at NYU London Was the Best

I understand your concerns. My parents had them, too. The unknown can be a huge obstacle. However, the thought of your child in a city where every street has a story is truly exciting. NYU also sent out a wealth of resources and their full extent of support to make parents feel reassured and confident in this big step.

Studying in London made the city itself our classroom. My courses weren’t just lectures in a building, instead, they connected directly to the culture and history outside our doors. In my writing class, we visited Highgate Cemetery and Electric Avenue to experience the atmosphere firsthand, which helped us craft vivid, descriptive pieces. Similarly, the British Politics classes came alive when we visited Parliament, where the solemn chamber echoed with centuries of debate. Likewise, in my Arts and Cultures, we didn’t just analyze paintings from slides. We stood in front of them at the British Museum and National Gallery, absorbing their colors and stories.

Classes in London truly blurred the line between coursework and cultural immersion.

The NYU London program allowed me to uncover London’s vibrant culture, moving beyond a tourist’s perspective. It felt like I was experiencing many of the things locals do. For instance, the program offered monthly cultural trips, ranging from seeing West End musicals and going to soccer games to taking day trips to Cambridge and the Roman Baths. In addition, we visited iconic spots like the famous movie scene in Notting Hill. I also had the unique experience of standing in line to see Queen Elizabeth’s coffin, which allowed me to witness the deep emotions of the country firsthand.

As a freshman, everyone was looking to connect! Since our cohort was small, we naturally became friends and travel buddies. Exploring London and the rest of Europe together pushes you to learn how to be a better friend and build a deeper bond. To this day, I still live with and hang out with my London friends.

Our friendships became a passport to adventure. Weekends were for new horizons. My friends and I crisscrossed Europe, exploring the streets of Paris and the grandeur of Vienna. Along the way, each trip became a lesson in itself. We learned to plan itineraries and navigate new cities independently, bonding over mishaps like a lost phone. Eventually, every journey was an immersion into new cultures and languages, extending the classroom far beyond London.

Surprisingly, living in London was more affordable than New York. Public transport, daily meals, and housing all stretched further. Even more exciting was the budget-friendly travel across Europe. Spontaneous weekend flights to Italy or Spain often cost less than a cab ride across Manhattan. As a result, I was able to explore new places without breaking the bank.

London held a special place in my heart even before college. At just 13 years old, I first visited the city on a school trip and fell completely in love with it. Returning to London for college felt like a full-circle moment. It was a chance to reconnect with that younger, curious version of myself.