I wasn’t sure what to expect when I landed in London bright and early only a week ago. I’d seen social media surrounding popular sights, watched the movies, and heard the general stereotypes like the bleak, gray weather and afternoon tea; however nothing could have prepared me for just how alive the city felt.
In only five days, London completely exceeded my expectations. While I was ecstatic for every stop on this trip, my preconception was that London would not be as exciting as the other countries later on, but just after day one of exploring Oxford and attempting the tube for the first time, I couldn’t imagine how I’d ever thought any of that. The history of London felt to be gushing from every building and street and while many things have modernized, so many have stayed the same as if frozen in time—like Westminster Abbey. Some of the big highlights was taking our bike tour to landmarks like Buckingham Palace and experiencing the city in a way walking never could, tea in Kensington Palace, watching Mamma Mia! at the Novello Theatre, and visiting to Design Bridge & Partners, where we met a former students from our abroad program. All of these moments were incredible, but the small moments were also notable, like walking forty minutes to Notting Hill, enjoying chocolate-covered strawberries at Borough Market, and chatting with locals in Kensington Gardens.
One thing I quickly noticed was how incredibly diverse London is. The mix of cultures, languages, and stories made me feel like I had stepped into a completely different world—one I didn’t want to leave. It challenged me to think beyond what I knew from Texas and embrace the value of curiosity and openness.
These five days opened my eyes not only to British culture but to how much more there is to discover. I’m already dreaming of going back and feel so grateful for this opportunity to explore a place that surprised me in the best ways.
