Life-Changing London

By Suzanne Peterson


When I chose to study abroad for the summer of 2012, I never knew it would be the best decision I ever made. In the months leading up to London I became increasingly excited. When we got our itinerary a couple weeks before school let out in the Spring, I could not contain my excitement. It started to become real; I would be studying abroad in the Global Sports Management program and would be attending Wimbledon, the British Open, the Olympics as well as touring some of Europe’s most elite soccer clubs. The best 6 weeks of my life were about to begin.

Emirates Stadium, home of Arsenal Football Club

Novak Djocavic warming up before his match

The first week being here went by so fast. Everything was so new, I was still getting used to the time change, and it was slowly starting to set in that I was living in Bloomsbury, London for the next 6 weeks. On the third day of being here we went to Wimbledon. I have played tennis since I can remember so I might have been the most excited out of the group. The process was not as easy as just getting a ticket. We waited in a line, which is called “queuing,” with 5,000 other eager patrons for roughly 3 ½ hours. It was windy and freezing but it was all worth it. I was able to see Novak Djocavic warm up, up close. And I met Lisa Leslie from the WNBA.




Some of my best memories didn’t come from visiting Chelsea soccer stadium, or being at Wimbledon, but from being with the other students in my program. Being able to wander around London and find cool buildings or shops are some of my fondest memories. One time that I will never forget is when a group of us were trying to find Buckingham Palace. It took us around 45 minutes when it should have taken way less. Even though we got lost, we ended up passing other amazing sightseeing opportunities in London and still managed to laugh about our shortcomings.

Stamford Bridge Stadium, home of Chelsea Football Club

Olympic Medals on display at the British Museum, which is located right down the street from the Study Centre

I was able to do things that I may have never been able to do including: meet Rick Scott when he visited the Study Centre or work with Michelle Obama at her ‘Let’s Move’ Tennis Event. I would suggest studying abroad to any person I meet. Describing an experience like this is so difficult because something memorable happens almost everyday. Studying abroad is really what you make of it. There are so many experiences that FSU presents to you by being here, but you have to get out and explore! I can honestly say that studying abroad has changed my life and I can’t wait to see what opportunities arise after this amazing trip.

Global Sports Management London 2012 group at Lord's Cricket Grounds. A very nice facility where apparently Sir Paul McCartney frequents to work out. Also, these grounds will be used for Archery at the Olympic Games.