After hopping off the plane in London I began the adventure of a lifetime! While London was just the first stop on my trip abroad it is definitely going to be one of my favorites. The hustle and bustle of London reminded me a lot of my time in New York City. Everyone is moving with a purpose in a collected and classy way. I was blessed to get to experience multiple company visits during my time in London. My favorite was the Lloyd’s of London. Lloyds is currently the biggest insurance center in the world. The company facilitates the issuing of insurance between the broker and underwriter. An underwriter can also be known as an insurance provider. I learned amazing things about this company and their connection to British history during my time in London. One big difference between the UK and the US is that they drive on the opposite side of the road. This took a lot of getting used to, however making sure to look both ways definitely helped. Also did you know that there is no such thing as jaywalking in London, you can just cross the street wherever you like! While in London I also noticed that they keep the streets very clean, this made walking through the city way more enjoyable. One final difference in culture that stood out was that they do not rush you when going out to eat. The staff allow you to enjoy your meal and a chat then ask for the bill when you are ready! Going on a faculty-led program was the perfect decision for me. I love the balance between the structured business activities along with the independent learning opportunities provided. During my time abroad I hope to broaden my horizons on different cultures throughout the world. By speaking with those in these new places I believe I will be able to gain a new perspective of the world! The first week has already been full of so many memories and personal development so I cannot wait to see what else is in store!
