Arriving in London as a peer mentor at the Guilford House residence hall was the perfect way to begin what became one of the most rewarding semesters yet. As a peer mentor (basically an RA), I moved in a week earlier, explored the city on my own, and prepared with the NYU London team to welcome a huge cohort of students. That early week gave me a sense of independence and confidence that set the tone for everything that followed.
As the semester progressed, I got to help organize events like Strawberry Fest, 5K runs, comedy shows, go-karting, and food crawls. These were not just fun nights; they were chances to build community across a global group of students. Beyond the residence hall events, NYU London also organized day trips to Oxford and Manchester that helped me connect with British culture and history. I was able to mix serious academic work with unforgettable experiences. I was studying abroad, but I was also living abroad.
As a double major student in Economics and Computer Science, I am frequently asked how I was able to consider a study away term, let alone at a site that offered no major-required classes. I figured out how to make the most of the system by double-counting classes. For example, I took microeconomics to fulfill my economics dual major requirement, and that same class also counted toward my HUSS requirements for my CS degree. Because of that, I was able to study away in London without falling behind academically.
One class that really stood out to me, and one I would recommend, was “Journalism and Society” with Owen Bennett Jones. The class never felt like a typical lecture filled with numbers and data. It was more of an engaging discussion about British culture, history, and journalism. Professor Bennett Jones, who was a BBC correspondent for Pakistan, shared incredible stories from his reporting career. He often invited guest speakers and even took us on field trips as part of class. One day, we visited Notting Hill, which made the lessons come alive in such a fun and memorable way.
The campus location itself was another highlight. NYU London is housed in central London, right next to the London School of Economics. We had the best of both worlds: our own academic building and community, but also access to LSE clubs, facilities, and dining halls. The building is surrounded by stunning historic architecture, and it felt inspiring to walk through that area every day.
Also, London is famous for its theater scene, and being right in the heart of it was incredible. NYU London gives out free tickets, and I got to see more than twenty shows and plays that would have cost me thousands of dollars. I saw The Lion King, Hamilton, Wicked, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and many others. It was surreal and unforgettable.
One thing I did notice was the lack of sports activities at the London site. Instead of just accepting that, I pitched an idea to the management team to start a football club. They were very supportive and even paid me to book beautiful fields across the city. We played every Sunday in some of the most scenic areas in London. It became one of my favorite parts of the semester, combining my love for sports with new friendships and exploration.
The friends I made during that semester are some of the closest I have today. Being in a new place with no familiar faces felt like being a freshman all over again. It was exciting, a bit uncertain, but full of discovery. And since London is such an amazing travel hub, long weekends often meant new adventures. My friends and I would fly to a different country almost every other weekend. A round trip to Paris could cost just thirty dollars, and we took full advantage of that to explore as much as we could.
Looking back, my time at NYU London was more than just a semester abroad. It was a chapter of personal and academic growth that pushed me to be more independent, open-minded, and curious. If I could give one piece of advice to anyone planning to study away, it would be to say yes to everything. Go to the events, join the clubs, explore the city before classes begin, and take that one class that sounds interesting. Every part of it adds to the experience.
My semester at NYU London was not just an academic experience. It was a life experience, one that changed how I see the world.
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