Through the Eye of London: An NYU Summer of Opportunity and Adventure

When in a place with as rich a history as London’s, humanities classes are never a bore! I enrolled in one core-curriculum course for the semester: Text and Ideas: Power, Politics and Leadership. The city made for the perfect backdrop to our weekly lessons. For example, after discussing how leadership might be defined in our first class, we ventured just around the block to our neighbours next door: the British Museum.

That first day was filled with fun bonding memories with my classmates as we wandered around the vast exhibits to search for pieces that represented power. Whether it was a ticket to an exclusive exhibit on the Roman Legions, visits to the National Gallery to study portraiture, or a special walking tour of the city that pointed out historically significant sites and architecture, each new topic we studied brought about educational experiences that extended beyond the textbook.

Our visit to the Globe Theater was one of the clearest examples of the rich, immersive academic experiences that come with studying away at an NYU global site. While we had closely read and analyzed the Shakespearean play Richard III in class that morning, our discussions were further enhanced as we watched the play performed as it originally would have been in the Globe Theater, instantly transported  back to the 1600s. With the iconic open roof over our heads and the beautiful costumes swirling before our eyes, the words we had read on paper were brought to life. 

Similarly, our visit to Hatfield House sticks out as a favourite in my memory as well. Once home to Queen Elizabeth I before she ascended the throne, this location was filled to the brim with interesting things to see. On the outside, beautiful gardens covered the grounds. Inside, the rooms were elaborately designed, and several original copies of some of her majesty’s most famous portraits decorated the walls. With this, you’d catch way more details that aren’t visible on digital copies online, such as the faint trace of veins in her skin.

I later went on to write my final essay for the course on Queen Elizabeth I’s portraiture, so this trip was an exciting treat to be sure. Aside from the historical significance of it all, it also may appear familiar for the many films and shows that were shot here, such as The Crown, Queen Charlotte, and Enola Holmes.

Now when it comes to famous things to see, London has a never-ending list. This is evident in the several blue plaques scattered throughout the city. Whether it’s the building where the first Beatles song was recorded, or the old apartment of Mozart, scavenging for these blue signs is always a fun game to play in the city!

NYU understands best how cool all of these cities around the world are, and want to encourage students to explore to their fullest potential. Because of this, several cultural immersion trips are offered throughout the semester that you can easily sign up for with friends for free. What was once a tricky several hour long commute out of the city into the middle of nowhere quickly becomes an easy nap on the NYU coach bus… and just like that, we’ve arrived at Stonehenge! Other trips I enjoyed included a tour along the River Thames (including Borough Market and Tower Bridge), a lovely countryside hike despite my lack of athletic ability, and a full day trip to Brighton Beach!

And of course, aside from the trips NYU offers, there’s still a million and one things to discover! My jaw genuinely dropped to the floor the first time I saw the beauty of Big Ben, and the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace was such a cool ceremony to witness in person.

If I ever felt tired from all the walking that tourism brings, I always loved taking a rest with some English afternoon tea, or by browsing the cute plushies at the Jellycat store (who wouldn’t feel re-energized by such cute faces??). One of the highlights of my visit would have to be the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, where I got to see the extraordinary process behind the making of the Harry Potter series.

As mentioned earlier, one of the most common fears that people have with studying away is missing out on things happening back in New York during the school year. To this concern, I present the option of a summer semester abroad! While students are often aware of the idea of summer internships and jobs, many forget that it is also an amazing time to continue educational pursuits as well. NYU offers two summer semesters during the entire break’s duration, which offers flexibility for students to complete everything on their bucket list and more.

Since the summer semesters are shorter as well, students who may not be ready to commit a whole three months can easily get an equally fulfilling taste of study away during the hot season. The cohort sizes are often smaller as well, allowing for tight knit communities and closer bonding! I definitely knew every face that lived in my residence hall, and we’d always meet up to study, play games, eat, or just hang out in the lounges!

And let’s be honest, summer is simply the best time to travel anyway. This was especially true for London, as beautiful weather allowed for accessibility to more outdoor activities, the best cute pics, and just greater comfort overall.

So grab your friends and go enjoy the sun in a new world together!