“Free” Restaurants in Valencia

By Quinton Campbell

While living in Valencia, it’s impossible not to notice the wide variety of dining options that are available. Not only are most of them located near the study center, but they’re very affordable on a student budget, especially when one accounts for the meal tickets, or “cheques,” included in the program fee when studying with FSU.  Not only are there a wide variety in cultural cuisines within the city limits of Valencia, but these cheques are also accepted in major cities all over Europe. This not only helps the budget during independent travel, but since it’s already been paid for, I know I personally felt more inclined to go out on a limb and eat at a restaurant that I might not have tried originally had I been paying directly out of pocket for my meal. Here’s a short list of restaurants within walking distance from the study center in Valencia that accepted cheques while I studied there:

Walk-to-Wok (Chinese)

Pizza Gratis (Italian)

Fressco (Pizza, Pasta, and Salad buffet)

Wok Quing (Chinese)

Pan de Queso (Spanish)

There’s also a Greek restaurant that serves gyros and shawarmas a block away from the study center that accepts cheques but I can’t remember what it was called!

Those are just to name a few of the ones I was aware of, and there are most likely more restaurants that have started accepting cheques (or more restaurants in general that have opened near the study center) within the year and half since I have been there. The restaurants that accept them are really easy to spot as well. When I was there, there were orange signs on the front door that indicated if cheques were accepted there, and this came in handy during the weekend excursions (also provided in the program fee) to Barcelona and Madrid when we were unfamiliar with the restaurants in the area. Again, they’re accepted widely across Europe, so make sure to bring an extra cheque or two with you if you travel independently on weekends to other cities. However, DON’T travel with your entire book of cheques because they’re essentially as good as cash; if you lose them, they’re non-refundable. Definitely take advantage of this aspect of your program fee, because not only have you already paid for it but it really gives you the opportunity to get a feel for the cuisine of the neighborhood on a budget. If all else fails and you have a lot of cheques left at the end of your semester, you have an excuse to eat like a king during your last weekend in Valencia! Buen provecho!

Navajas - The Perfect Spanish Getaway

By Morgan Welsh

Are you an outdoors type of person? 

Looking for a nice place to hike and see some waterfalls? 

Hiking in Navajas

Then Navajas is the place for you! From the Valencia Train Station you can catch a train to Navajas for about 8 euros. It drops you off in a small little town with several specialty shops and delicious family owned restaurants. It’s about a 10 minute walk to the Park. You have to walk down a few trails and eventually you’ll come to waterfalls, a swimming hole and several different hiking paths! The best part was being able to walk under waterfalls and jump off rocks into the swimming hole. If you’re looking for a getaway from the city of Valencia for a day, Navajas is definitely a place to look into! 

The Swimming Hole

Lebanese Cuisine in Panama!

By Morgan Welsh


If you’re studying abroad in Panama and want to go out for Lebanese food, then Beirut is the restaurant for you! They are great at accommodating large parties and offer a variety of indoor and outdoor seating. Convieniently located on the causeway, any taxi driver can take you there for about $5-8. The food is great and fairly priced. Everything from housemade hummus and stone baked pita bread to falafels and pizza. Their menu is several pages long with many different options so there is something for everyone. If you choose to dine outside you can enjoy your meal with a view of the sunsetting over the Pacific Ocean!

Beirut - Comida Libanesa International 

My Everything-But-Typical Day

By Leen Doumet

As cliché as this might sound, I can’t really say I have a typical day here in Valencia. Every day here is so atypical to what I’m used to that it’s hard to generalize all my days into one. But, here’s a typical Tuesday!

On Tuesdays I have my Spanish grammar and composition class at 9am. After class, a group of friends and I partake in our Tuesday/ Thursday breakfast tradition where we go to Serranos restaurant, which is literally a 25 second walk from the study center. At breakfast, we chat and simply enjoy each other’s company for over an hour. If we have a test that day, we study and quiz each other. After breakfast I go to my second class, which is Spanish reading and conversation. At 4:00, I volunteer at the school near the study center and assist fourth graders in learning English. After volunteering, I come back to the study center to study or relax. Later in the evening, I either make dinner or go out to dinner. By the time we come back, which is often times around 11 it is time to wind down and prepare for the next day!

I say my days here in Valencia are far from typical because often times, instead of being in the classroom for my class, I find myself all over Valencia. With my classes I have taken excursions to places like Sagunto, a town that was formerly a Moorish fortress, La Lonja, a beautiful building originally used for silk trading, and the Bellas Artes Museum in Valencia. I have even made Valencian paella for a paella competition in my Food and Society class.

Walking through the Ruins of Sagunto

Finished Paella for Class!

From walking through the ruins of old castles to admiring the architecture in various plazas around the city, I have been extremely lucky to have everything but typical days for the past four months.

Freetime in France

By Allyce Smith


There is no uniform opinion about studying abroad. Granted, if one chooses to study in a foreign country then it is likely you have a strong desire to travel and experience new cultures. However, each experience is unique and it is up to you to make the absolute most of it. Sure, one could simply attend class and all the fabulous excursions FSU has planned, but on the weekend and afternoons you have the freedom to design your ideal study abroad experience. The opportunities offered to you are vastly different from studying within your home country. The sense of independence which accompanies each decision you make is liberating and at times daunting, but the type of experience you have is entirely up to the individual. Because France, and Paris alone, is so vast it can be overwhelming to decide which places you wish to visit. Trust me, one month flies by in the blink of an eye.  I therefore urge students to start thinking about weekend trips and personal excursions before arriving in Paris. Look online and familiarize yourself with the train schedules and nearby locations. Because you only have one month, you will be tempted to hit the ground running upon arrival. 

A walking path through Monet's garden

Detail of some of the buildings

I personally knew before arriving in France that I wanted to visit Normandy. Paris is lovely, Paris is huge and Paris is busy, it is because of these things I wanted to have a weekend trip outside of the city, to see another side of France.  I therefore chose to explore the town of Giverny. Besides having a lovely name which can make you feel French simply by saying it, the town is only about an hour train ride from the Gare du Nord train station and loads of fun! I was able to experience a more traditional village atmosphere (think Belle's hometown in Beauty in the Beast!), with horses, fields of flowers and adorable old houses complete with rose gardens. The experience was surreal and well worth the 12.80 Euros. People could rent bikes, ride down dirt roads and eat traditional Norman cuisine. Probably the most popular site was Monet's house which included his famous water lilies. Although there were tourists, they did not overrun the town, for the most part it was quiet, calm and breathtaking.

We ran into some friendly horses while walking back to the train station!

Because I took the initiative to branch outside of the traditional curriculum (with my trusty friend Kat of course) I was able to personalize the study abroad experience to my taste. Of course, even if I had chosen to only participate in FSU excursions and class I would have still had a fantastic time, but by using my free time to explore places which were near to my heart and interests, I feel that my study abroad experience truly reflected me as a person.  It is difficult to understand just how much a study abroad experience can change you as a person but it honestly does.  So take advantage of your trip and use your free time wisely, this is an experience which you will cherish forever and hopefully change your world perspective! Studying abroad influenced my decision to pursue a graduate degree in French history and cultivated my love for the French language. This is your study abroad experience, use your free time to make it unique. 

Me and one of the numerous flower fields in Giverny

The Riverbed

By Colleen Herrera

My time in Valencia was the greatest experience I have ever had. I have never been to a country as lively and energetic as Spain. It seemed like my 4 months flew by because we were always out exploring our beautiful city and all that it had to offer. However my favorite place to go in the entire city was the Riverbed. It was located conveniently right outside of our study center doors and offered a nice and relaxing getaway for me and many of the other students on the trip as well.

Teachers would often be found holding class down in the riverbed on days where sitting in a classroom was unthinkable. After classes were over it was always the place to go for a walk or run and it offered you some of the best views of the city as it runs the almost the length of Valencia. One day I could casually walk to the left and end up at a beautiful lake complete with swan boats you could rent. The next day I could run the other way and end up at the breathtaking City of Arts and Science. And in between there were parks, gardens, sports fields and some of the best picnic spots in the city. During Fallas we all found it also had some of the best spots to view the nightly firework show that could put the 4^th of July to shame!

I miss the activities and serenity of this part of Spain every day; it was like our very own Central Park right outside our front door.  

The Riverbed

Paris

By Kristen Wharton

Where to begin with Paris? Paris leaves you breathless.

It has captivated the young and the old, been the catalyst for countless creative endeavors, and inspired dreams by the thousands. The allure of this city is truly undeniable.

A view of the Eiffel Tower

There was one day in particular that I set out to spend the whole day meandering around the city. I had hit all the main attractions at this point and just wanted to wander. With school and other time sensitive events, the busyness of my schedule did not allow for unrestricted frolicking, as I’ve since coined it. My day began near Notre Dame and consisted of dipping down side streets, dropping into secondhand bookstores (there are a plethora here and they are one of my favorite things about Paris…in fact they are another reason for my lack of comprehensive exploration…I drop in these and stay for hours), but mostly today revolved around observing and trying to become more familiar with the city’s layout since I have relied so much on the metro.

Walking along the Seine is a spectacle in itself. This river is Paris’ life source. You can get to any main juncture from its banks while being provided with a scenic route along the way.  It is overwhelming! Walking along the river, Notre Dame and the spire of Sainte Chapelle behind me, the Invalides coming in on the left, and just a bit further I have Pont Alexandre to my right. The Eiffel Tower, towering over it all in the distance.  Ok Paris, let’s be real, this is a constant visual stimulation is almost cruel. -- buildings and monuments, each representing a crucial time period in history of the city, all coming together in unity along the Seine. It is a feast you can never digest in entirety.


You leave these cities yearning for more. Knowing you’ve barely scratched the surface. 

The Seine

Florentine Memories

By Kristen Wharton

My time abroad began in Florence, Italy. As an Art History major, this city captured my heart, mind, and soul. The quintessential Florentine streets lined with facades of rusticated stone were a constant thrill to meander through. In the winter especially, this city maintains much of its 16^th century charm. If the architecture itself wasn’t enough, the general ambiance of this city has the ability to transcend you to the time when the Medici family, Brunelleschi, Donatello, and Michelangelo roamed these very streets.

But Art History nerd in me aside, this city is truly breathtaking. I remember at the end of my first week in Florence I went for a run from our home on Via Romana down to the Ponte Vecchio and along the Arno, then up the hill to the stunning Romanesque basilica, San Minato al Monte. The road that sits right below the church, ropes around the hill to reveal the most wonderful panorama of the city. I was running along this road, literally watching this city reveal itself step by step under the “pre-sunset” sky. So captivated and entranced by the beauty of this city, I wanted to capture it and hold on to this moment forever. 

I decided to run home to grab my camera, hoping to make it back up to this spot to catch the sunset. Sprinting down the narrow streets, Italians staring at this clearly crazed foreigner, I quickly grabbed my camera and took back off towards my spot. So excited that I made it in time, I went to take my first shot…..only to find I had drained my battery while uploading pictures the night before. I just kind of gave an accepting smile, a bit humored by the fact that life always has a funny way of making the most memorable moments at a time when it is impossible to capture them in any other form but in your mind.I should know by now that putting a camera up to your face separates your eyes from your memory. Maybe it is best that instead of taking the picture with a machine, I captured it entirely naturally. A raw memory only for me.  

Here, I had found my sanctuary, a place of peace and clarity, of pure, uninhibited beauty. I had also just experienced something quite remarkable, almost like a physical burden being lifted off my shoulders, for it was at this moment that I allowed myself to let go.

The Trevi Fountain in Rome

Financing Your Time Abroad

By Kristen Wharton

If any of you are like me, finding a justification to studying abroad is an overwhelming task. First there is the cost. Yeah…parting with 10 grand to spend a fabulous 15 weeks abroad is not an easy thing to maneuver. I don’t know anyone who is sitting on that kind of monetary cushion, so the next step is –find investors. If you are shocked to find that checks do not magically appear at your doorstep after this plea to potential financiers, it’s time to look at loans. Now this is the point where most people just nip this little dream in the bud and say, “I’ll just have to wait until after college to travel when I actually have disposal income.”

You won’t. Life happens. Careers happen. Families happen. And the opportunity to make a strictly selfish decision falls by the wayside.

I would have never known these things had I not deliberated for months in a cost-benefit analysis format about the pros and cons of ditching Tallahassee and subsequently the life and network of friends I had built up here and taking the plunge, by saying “money is resurgent (or maybe just plain worthless in this economy) so lets make this happen”. Since it is really not that simple though, International Programs is more than happy to sit down with you and discuss scholarship eligibility and loan options. 

What I also learned is that most faculty members and employers alike recognize studying abroad as an important contributor in career development, so are thrilled to discuss options for getting to your country of interest. The resources are endless if you seek them out.

I Loved Living in London and I Didn't Want to Leave!

By Sarah Kelley

I studied abroad in London, England for 3 months during the summer of 2010. It was the best 3 months of my life.

Before you go:

While you’re packing, don’t forget to pack a few jackets. In May, it’s still pretty cold in London and you don’t want to be stuck cold, like I was. But once June begins, the heat wave begins as well. Keep in mind that there’s a ton of good shopping on Oxford Street, a street away from the study centre, and at all of the markets around London have clothes you’ll want to buy too: Camden and Portabello Markets were my favorites. Pack clothes you’re comfortable in and prepare for every kind of weather possible. Don’t over pack, you’ll regret it when you have to return to the USA and can’t fit all of your new purchases in your suitcase. Don't forget converters! The previous students will leave straighteners, blow dryers, etc, that fit into the sockets there, so don't worry about those! We all bought little go-phones to keep in contact with each other while in London and used Skype, email and Facebook predominately when talking to parents or friends back in the USA. 

Once you get there:

Don’t be nervous about meeting people, at the introductory meetings and outings you’ll slowly get to know all of the people in your program and other programs. I’m still close with so many people that I studied abroad with; I never expected to find so many lifelong friends. Two years later, we still plan reunions every few months and keep each other updated with our undergraduate and post graduate lives. We went everywhere as groups, and the locals at restaurants, shows, and other places were friendly to us when we reached out to them.

During the first few days in London, a few of us explored.
This was our first venture to Big Ben.

A Typical Day:

I had classes three to four days a week, usually a class a day, which provided me with free time to explore London. Whether it was taking the tube to another side of town to explore a market, or riding around the bus to see all parts of London, there is never a moment where the culture won’t be everywhere. As far as the sites and locations I liked to go to, my favorites that you cannot miss while you’re over there are: Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, Parliament, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower and London Bridges, Camden Market, the Prime Meridian and Covet Gardens.

There are tons of museums for people with all interests, the majority of the museums I went to were during my classes. With such a big city, there are always new events going on. When I was there, there was the “Elephant Parade,” which had over 200 painted elephants around town to help promote how elephants need our help in order to save the species. I watched a red carpet event for the premiere of the second “Sex and the City” movie, and went to a popular Broadway play at least once a week (they have great student discounts). The best part about studying abroad in London is that there is so much culture and so much to learn from the city itself; therefore, my classes were all taught in different locations daily incorporating the culture of the city into our curriculum.

In front of the theatre before seeing the show "Hair" - it was our favorite show.
(I saw it 3 times while over there and again in the states)

Excursions and Daytrips:

While you may not “feel” like getting up to go on a daytrip or weekend excursion, do it anyways. Some of the best trips were ones planned by the GC’s (graduate counselors, like an RA). On my first session weekend trip we went to Wales, a green countryside with beautiful castles, beaches and mountains. Second session we ventured over to Cornwall, Bath and Stonehenge. We learned how to surf in Cornwall, visited the ancient Roman Baths in Bath and saw the famous Stonehenge rocks on our way back to the study centre. Everything is planned and it’s a fun time, you won’t regret going. There are one-day long trips as well, showing off the smaller towns in England which are each unique and fun in their own ways.

With your new friends, you’ll want to plan weekend trips to other countries around Europe. There are inexpensive flights from any of the three London airports, which aren’t very difficult to travel to. We had a group of twenty travel to Ireland for a weekend and accidentally planned to be in Spain when Spain won the World Cup- words can’t describe how amazing that was. Step out of your comfort zone. Studying abroad is the chance of a lifetime, so live it up as much as your wallet will allow.

One of the stops during our Cornwall Weekend Trip with everyone from session 2

I could go on talking about London for days. I took over six thousand pictures during the three months I was there and saved all of my show tickets, maps and brochures for the scrapbook I will one day make. The experience I had, the places I visited and the people I met contributed to the most amazing summer of my life and I couldn’t be more thankful.

Must Do Markets In London

By Kelsey Repins

Part of being a “true Londoner” is experiencing the weekend shopping at the various markets scattered around the city. Come back to the States with cool, one-of-a-kind souvenirs and gifts!

Borough Market: This market is a wonderful place to find fresh bread, homemade jams, cheeses, meats, and all sorts of yummy goodies! Do your weekly food shopping here and enjoy all of the sights and smells.  Spend the morning picking up snacks and go on a picnic with the food you buy.

• Make sure you try an ostrich burger!

Borough Market

Brick Lane: This was one of my favorite markets! Brick Lane is a string of markets that open on Sundays only.  Find cool jewelry and funky screen tee shirts. Locals make headbands, purses, dresses, and so much more.

• There is lots of food from all over the world here but make sure to try the Moroccan cuisine!

Camden Market: Come here to barter on anything from clothes to antiques. Camden is more the alternative scene and residents of this area are generally young. Camden is a known as the home for the struggling artist, fashion designer, and musician.  Just walking through Camden is an experience!

• After a morning bartering in Camden, get on the bus and take the short trip out to Primrose Hill. Here you will get a wonderful view of the whole city.

Camden Market

Covent Garden Market: My favorite place in all of London would have to be Covent Garden and the area surrounding it. Covent Garden is a little shopping plaza filled with great stores to buy little gifts and funky trinkets. Make sure you not only visit the stores but the actually market itself on the weekends.

• One time when I was shopping in Covent Garden I stumbled across a flash mob!

Portobello Road Market: Anyone who has seen Hugh Grant and Julia Robert’s Notting Hill has heard of Portobello Road Market. Here you can fight the crowds for antiques on the main street. Make sure you go off the main road because there are smaller stores and venders who are willing to haggle! Keep in mind that this market is only open on Saturdays.

• Even if you are not in the market for antiques or clothing go for the atmosphere. Notting Hill is a very fashionable and “posh” neighborhood.  The rows pale blue, pink, and yellow houses are adorable and a must see for anyone visiting London.

Knotting Hill

Spitalfields Market: Like most of the other markets, Spitalfield vendors sell clothing, antiques, homemade crafts and much more. There are actual stores as well as venders and booths. The market itself is only on Sundays but the stores are open during the week.

• When I was in London, I would go to Brick Lane in the morning and Spitalfields in the late afternoon!

Keep in mind some of the items are sold by multiple vendors in multiple markets. Shop around for the best price and don’t buy the first thing you see! 

 

Now, That’s Amore: A Culinary Love Affair

By Erin "Caterina" Heffernan

I went to Italy hoping to fall in love.  I wanted to find my future husband there.  Instead, I fell in love with a plate of pasta (and one of the world’s most beautiful cities).

I thought that I knew what to expect from Italian food: spaghetti, pizza, panini, mozzarella, etc but I could never have anticipated the love affair that would inevitably ensue.  From the beginning, I had moments of hesitation, but as I began to eat, I realized that I had nothing to fear.

This love began with a sandwich, a particular sandwich.  This sandwich is numero 9 from Antico Noè, a panino shop near FSU’s study center that serves some of the most delicious sandwiches I have ever eaten.  Turkey, onions, brie cheese, spicy sauce: in a word, magic.  My love for numero 9 was unrivalled by anything I had ever eaten previous to that point in my life.  That is, until I met numero 11: sausage, spinach, pecorino cheese: in a word, life-changing.    As I ate these sandwiches and walked around the beautiful city of Florence, I realized that I had never loved an item of food so much before.  My life had been changed forever and I thought that it could not possibly get better than it was at that moment.

Andrea, me and Luca in Antico Noè

I could never have guessed what fate had in store for me just around the corner, literally. 

There is a restaurant in Florence called Trattoria all’Anita.  It is just behind the Piazza della Signoria, one of Florence’s most historic squares.  Affectionately known to travelling Noles as Anita’s, this is a favorite of locals, travelers and foreign students alike.  It is here that I would first lay eyes upon the love of my life, a little dish called tortellini alla norcina.  Tortellini, sausage, tomatoes, truffle cream: in a word, everything that is good about life.  I guess you could say that it was love at first bite (pun absolutely intended).  One day, I tasted some tortellini from a friend’s plate by chance, and was so smitten that I returned to the same restaurant the next night.  I needed a whole plate of this pasta for myself, sharing was simply not an option.

Tortellini alla norcina—the goodness can just not be conveyed in a photo

As I finished the plate, Nicola, one of the waiters, walked by to ask how everything was.  I looked up at him and, without hesitation or irony, said:

           

            “C’è un posto riservato in Paradiso per il cuoco di questo piatto.”

           

            “There’s a special place in Heaven for the cook of this meal.” 

Gianni, me, Nicola, and Maurizio; the brothers who own Anita’s

This is what the plate looked like after eating norcina.

He laughed and called his brothers over so that I could tell them what I had said and everyone laughed.  Honestly, I don’t know what came over me at that moment. I was just so overcome with emotion.  It was a sublime, divine, experience; something that I only imagine could be compared to falling in love or a divine revelation.  From that day on, the brothers at Anita’s always brought me tortellini alla norcina, without even asking.  They understand that there is only one dish in the world for me.

Believe me when I say, the churches in Italy are beautiful, but if you are looking for a religious experience, you should try searching the restaurants in addition to the cathedrals. 

My Favorite Spot in the City of Knowledge

By Quinton Campbell

When I landed in Panama after leaving from Minneapolis, Minnesota, to say I was looking forward to living in a tropical climate for eight months would have been an understatement.

I knew that I’d have some of the most coveted surfing locations located a matter of hours from me, but when I realized that students had access to an Olympic sized swimming pool located a block from the student housing after a tour of the facilities on my first day, I couldn’t have been more excited.

Spending Some Time by the Pool

Not only was it a great way to relax after a tough exam or a long week, but it also served as one of the only public pools in the area, so it was also a place where many locals from the community would spend time.


You could always count on there being an event at the pool, whether it was a diving competition, a swim meet, or even a birthday party, and all of this added a cultural experience that made what seemed like just another day at the pool something I loved doing regularly. 

The Swimming Pool in the City of Knowledge

As a matter of fact, I visited so often during my two semesters there that when the staff found out that my time in Panama was coming to an end, I was given one of the staff shirts worn by the lifeguards since they knew how much I enjoyed spending time there!

Sports in Panama

By Quinton Campbell

When I arrived in Panama, I arrived with the general assumption that soccer was the national sport. That all changed once I saw the variety of options for activity that the residents of the surrounding community took part in within the City of Knowledge! 

Within a matter of minutes, I could walk from the student housing to not only soccer fields, but baseball fields, tennis courts, and a basketball court as well. In addition to the soccer and basketball teams that were created by students at FSU–Panama, there were constantly pick-up games being played by locals on both the soccer fields and basketball courts. This provided not only an opportunity to take a break from my studies, but it was also a great way to get involved and get to know international students my age, an opportunity that I truly value to this day.  

One event I particularly enjoyed was during my spring semester when the softball portion of that year’s Central American Games was held on the City of Knowledge’s athletic fields. Not only did I have the opportunity to watch national teams from countries such as Nicaragua, Belize, Panama, and Costa Rica play softball, but thanks to the athletic facilities located at the City of Knowledge, the three days of these competitions were held in my “backyard.”

Softball Game Between El Salavador & Belize

Changing Innings 

Seeing these events such a short distance from my house wasn’t only convenient but truly helped me feel integrated into the community as I sat and watched among other residents from the neighborhood!

Living in London

By Sam Thomas


Through studying abroad on the FSU Broad Curriculum program, I was lucky to call myself a London resident for 3 months. One of the aspects of this city that makes it unique is that no other city in the world has as many things to do as London. Whether it is catching a play in the West End, having a picnic in Hyde park, trying different cuisines from all over the world on Saturday morning at Borough Market, or just taking a midday stroll along the River Thames.


I am a bit of a history nerd, so some of my favorite spots were the Imperial War Museum, the Tower of London, and especially the British Museum. I lost count of how many times I visited it during my stay, but the British Museum was a wonderful place to go and look at the Ancient Egypt exhibits or Greek and Roman artifacts in between my classes or whenever I had free time since it was conveniently located only a couple of blocks from the study centre.


One of the best feelings in the world was having the ability to walk out of the study centre along Great Russell Street, and either walk or take a short ride on the Tube and within no time be able to do or see something new.  I had this feeling everyday in London.

Before seeing "Hair" on the West End

The fast-paced lifestyle you get to live while abroad makes it tough to fully appreciate some of the things you get to do at the time. To this day when I look through old pictures from study abroad, I come across things I forgot that I had done.

Wales

One of my favorite spur of the moment trips was going to an amusement park (Thorpe Park) not too far outside of London. A group of friends and I were looking for something fun to do that day, and found a pamphlet for Thorpe Park in the administration office. It turned out there was a special that day that a two way train ticket to the park and park admission was only 40 pounds. It ended up being a very fun day, but what made it so special was how I was able to go somewhere like that on a whim, and the fact that you can do something like that everyday in London.  

My London Family

The only drawback to London is the city can wear you out with so many sights and activities to do and see.  I had to remind myself to have a “movie day” or “reading day” from time to time at the study centre.


I accomplished a lot during my stay in London, but the fact that I was still unable to do half the things I wanted to do attests to how vibrant a city it is.