Submitted by Tiona Coleman on the 2017 winter session program in London, England sponsored by the Department of Communication…
London has provided me with my first opportunity to experience a culture outside of the borders of the United States. This experience has been nothing short of great! There is so much in this city that is very reminiscent of home, yet it is so different. Whether it be the difference in speaking the same language, or just fast food restaurants, such as McDonald’s, serving a different selection and quality of food. London is a city of rich history and familiarity that constantly keeps me intrigued.
My program director, Professor Carolyn White Bartoo, provided an extraordinary first week for my peers and myself. We were given the chance to see much of London in a short amount of time. We began with a lesson in traveling through the Underground Tube system. As a Metro maven, this was not a difficult system to understand and navigate. We were then given the double-decker experience as we did a bus tour of the beautiful city. By the third day, we had made our way to the historic Tower of London, the number one tourist attraction of the city. The week ended with a rainy, yet spectacular view of the city atop the Sky Garden, and a tour through the Winston Churchill War Rooms and Museum.
For me, the beauty of the city lies within its architecture, its people, and its rich history. The merging of the ancient and the contemporary blend in such a dynamic way to construct a layout of the city that is absolutely breathtaking. The mannerisms of Londoners are very distinct and refreshing from that found back in the U.S. and the deep history of the city is seen and felt with every step that is taken.