Submitted by Katie Holland on the 2015 winter session program in London sponsored by the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice…
I have been in London for almost a week now, and I can already say it is the most amazing experience of my life. The city is unlike any city back in the States. Despite the apparent lack of waste bins, the streets have almost no garbage on them. Every corner you turn there is something beautiful to see; whether it is a building, monument or simply a pretty street. They all live such healthy lifestyles. I have seen more people biking and running than I have seen anywhere else. Most people here bike to work and some actually run to work. All of the food options are usually very healthy and the portions are never too big. Everyone always seems pretty happy as well. This week we saw most of the “typical” tourist sites in London (Big Ben, Parliament, Westminster, Buckingham Palace, etc.) as well as some just as beautiful sites that aren’t as well known (Hyde Park, St. Pauls Cathedral, etc.). As a class, we attended the British Museum which was outstanding, and also saw a circus like show (La Soiree), which was unlike anything you could see in the States. I should actually be sleeping since tomorrow a group of us are heading to see Stonehenge in Salisbury. The lifestyle is similar, yet different to how it is back home, but it is certainly a nice change. I am so unbelievably excited for what the rest of the month holds!
