I have lived in London for 10 glorious days, but numerous adventures have occurred in that short amount of time. I arrived two days before check-in with my uncle to sight-see and get my bearings on navigating the city . Though we pride ourselves on being New Yorkers and subway connoisseurs , my uncle and I did get lost on the tube and were thoroughly confused by the District Line. Despite those traveling hiccups, I am amazed by the efficiency of the transportation system here: a new train arrives within five minutes, tube maps are provided on every platform, and paying for your journey only requires a quick tap with an oyster card. The tube also provides an opportunity to soak in the diversity of London; you can hear numerous languages spoken within your vicinity and see Londoners of all cultural backgrounds when journeying underground. I was also drawn to studying in London for its history. Luckily for tourists and nerds like me, I can enjoy state-of-the-art museums free of charge. Thus far, I have been to three: the National Gallery, National History Museum, and Victoria & Albert Museum. Other dazzling sights I have seen include:
- Westminster Abbey
- Big Ben
- Buckingham Palace
- Kensington Palace
- Trafalgar Square
- Piccadilly Circus
- St. Paul’s Cathedral
- Tower Bridge
- The Globe
- Platform 9 3/4
Exploring my neighborhood in Maida Vale and CAPA’s headquarters in Kensington are other highlights. I live with eight roommates in a two-story flat in Maida Vale—conveniently located a block away from Warwick Avenue Station and 20 minutes away from CAPA and my internship. Maida Vale is referred to as Little Venice for its stunning canals that overflow with narrowboat cruises and water taxis. My internship and CAPA’s headquarters are located in Kensington—a royal borough known for Victorian architecture and its plethora of renowned universities and museums.
By far, the headliner of my first week abroad has been starting my internship at The Independent— a daily UK newspaper known for its editorials and foreign coverage. Within my internship site, three other newspapers and a television show called London Live are produced. I get to intern, edit, publish, and grow as a journalist with all of those media outlets. I essentially have five internships in one, and the opportunities to learn are endless. I will keep you posted on my experiences in a British newsroom and share any international bylines I acquire during the semester.
Cheers,
