Submitted by Moira Gervay on the 2023 summer session program in London, England…
It’s week one in London, and slowly but surely, I’m adjusting to being abroad full-time. Despite feeling slightly overwhelmed by everything, I could not be more excited to explore what London offers. There is so much to do around the city, from large, winding markets to small boutiques, local chains to family owned restaurants, and expansive museums to intimate galleries. In just the span of a week, I have learned and experienced so many new things.
Our classes are structured around visiting artists who teach us about their experiences and skills in the art world. We spoke with freelance designers, writers, UX/UI designers, and product designers. The most influential talk this week was definitely by Wendy Scott, a freelance journalist who taught us how to write meaningful copy that will hold the reader’s attention. She pushed us to ask reflective questions and research the city around us for inspiration. She gave us recommendations of places to visit or journal in, and encouraged us to talk to everyone we meet in the city.
In addition to our lectures this week, we explored the British Museum and the Tate Modern. I love museums, no matter what they are showcasing. I believe they are vaults of knowledge and stories. It was incredible to see the ancient artifacts and artwork in the British Museum. I struggled to wrap my head around the fact that all the pieces once belonged to other countries and were built and used by real people. Casually standing next to centuries-old artifacts was definitely a weird but exciting experience. My favorite artifacts were definitely the Rosetta Stone and the sculptures from the Parthenon.
At the Tate Modern, we went to an exhibit about Hilma af Klint and Piet Mondrian titled “Forms of Life”. Both artists created abstract art that was inspired by spirituality and nature. It was interesting to learn about the techniques both artists used to convey their messages, as well as witness the large scale of some of the pieces. I thought it was so cool that af Klint was a medium whose artwork was commissioned by a higher power she was visited by.
After class, we have time to explore the city and its incredible markets. This week, we went to Borough Market, Portobello Road Market, Spitalfields Market, and Brick Lane Vintage Market. The different stalls seemed to continue on forever. These markets are full of clothes, food, and artwork from local vendors, and some have been around for centuries.
I love food, especially trying new cuisine since I’m so used to the regular spots around UD’s campus. My flatmate on the trip is Greek, and she gave us lots of amazing recommendations when we went to a small Greek restaurant along Portobello Road. We also had Italian, Thai, and vegan Mexican food this week. One of my favorite foods that we had was definitely the famous chocolate covered strawberries in Borough Market. Though it’s a simple concept, the large cups we got were so filling and delicious. I found that English chocolate is a bit richer than American chocolate. We traveled through lots of spice shops and made it a goal to acquire as many free cheese samples as we could! I’m so excited to see what other spots we find as we go back in the coming weeks. I’m very thankful for the opportunity to be abroad and have the ability to explore on my own terms. (Submitted during Week 1)