Submitted by Moira Gervay on the 2023 summer session program in London, England…
It’s Week 2 in London, and I still feel like I am learning something new about the city daily. One new thing I noticed is that here in London, you have to pay to eat at some cafes or quick-grab restaurants. There is a slight upcharge depending on if you choose to sit down after your purchase or if you do take away. I’m unsure of the reasoning behind this because I never encountered it in Delaware. Another thing I have learned is that you must ask for “tap water” not to be charged for water on your bill. Coffee creamer is also very expensive here, so much so that my aunt mailed me some!
Despite these small differences, I am much more comfortable navigating the city. I’m a pro at the Tube now. The other day I accidentally got separated from my friends and managed to get to our destination perfectly fine on my own. It was very nice to venture off by myself. I got to reflect on how my trip was going and explore the area by myself before rejoining everyone again. It was very meditative, and I look forward to doing it more often.
The coolest thing I experienced this week was Central Saint Martin’s 2023 Show. CSM is part of the University of the Arts London and is one of the most famous art schools in the world. We got to explore the final projects of the recent BA and MA recipients and find inspiration for our own work and upcoming senior show next spring. It was incredible to talk to students around my age about their work, and I found that many of them had similar interests as me. There is something truly incredible about meeting other designers and artists from all over the world and seeing people be as passionate about their interests as you are. It makes you feel less alone and proves that art brings people together. I’m so excited to continue to be inspired by this city and its people!
