Why London Should Be At The Top of Your Study Abroad List + Opportunities
By: Ellice Ellis ‘20
The 2019 QS, Best Student Cities Rankings, have been published, and once again, London has been ranked as the best city for study abroad students in 2019. And from first-hand experience, I know London is a great city to travel, learn, and break out of your comfort zone.
I studied abroad in London during the 2nd semester of my junior year through the Annenberg School of Journalism and Communication. The program started the 1st week of January and lasted through the first week of May.
My courses were taught by local faculty at the ACCENT Center in central London and included studies in “Interpreting Popular Culture” and “Gender and the News Media.”
Outside of the in-classroom experience, London is a city that can teach you valuable lessons by just walking around and taking in the city.
There’s no doubt that one of the biggest perks of studying in London is the access you’ll have to the rest of Europe. Paris is a 2-hour train ride away via the Eurostar, you can fly to Dublin for under $100, and if you’re feeling adventurous, you can even visit the northern tip of African for amazing prices. While in London, I went to Paris to see Drake, Frankfurt, to visit family and traveled throughout the UK.
London is a city rich in history and culture. Students studying abroad can see the historic Tower of London and learn about its dark past. Used as a prison in the 16th and 17th centuries, the Tower of London is now a protected World Heritage Site and one of England’s most popular attractions.
Stroll by the beautiful Buckingham Palace, home of the Queen. Built in 1703 and remodeled numerous times, the Palace has an impressive 775 rooms and the most extensive private garden in London. Don’t forget to take pictures in front of Big Ben, the most famous clocktower in the world! A British cultural icon, Big Ben has also been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 and looms 315 feet above the city.
Stepping out of your comfort zone is one of the most significant benefits of studying abroad. Yes, London is English-speaking, and some may think it’s not that different from the States, but there’s so much more to experience.
London is a city notorious for its public transportation. Getting from Brixton to Kew Gardens is long and hard, but through it, you’ll gain a sense of independence, and it’s a great way to learn the city’s different neighborhoods.
Los Angeles and London are very similar when it comes to having a vibrant, diverse culture. But in London, you’ll meet people from all across Europe, the Carribean and South Asia. The city is an opportunity to learn about the effects of colonization and how they perpetuate in our society today. Although I was already familiar with Carribean culture, I made friends from Antigua, Trinidad, Jamacia, and more by just going out and being open to meeting new people.
London is such a unique and diverse place that chances are you’ll experience many cultures in the UK’s capital! London has over 100,000 international students, so not only will you be able to meet people from all over the world, but you’ll also be able to find your own countrymen and even Fellow Trojans if you’re ever homesick.
Another distinct aspect of London culture is its live music scene. Think about the vocals of the late Amy Winehouse or iconic bands like The Clash and The Beatles. You can find everything from sell-out performances by rock & roll legends at the massive O2 Arena to hundreds of up-and-coming bands touring London’s many small, intimate venues.
As you’ve probably heard, London is a costly city, especially when you’re on a student budget. But there are SO many free things to explore in London, that even if you are studying in London for a semester or longer, you’ll find it hard to run out of things to do.
Most of London’s museums are free to visit and are the perfect option for bad-weather days. There are also many photogenic areas in the city, like Shoreditch, Notting Hill, and Camden, so go explore one area at a time as you take photos and spend little to no cash.
Finally, the city’s parks are entirely free to visit, so whenever it’s not raining, grab some friends, sandwiches, and a bottle of sparkling water to have yourself a picnic in one of London’s world-famous green spaces.
WANNA STUDY ABROAD?
Now if you’re already in love with London… here is how you can start a lavish life in this fantastic city.
Annenberg London Spring Semesteris a unique program at the intersection of politics and pop culture with carefully tailored courses specifically designed for communication, journalism, and public relations majors.
Experiential Annenberg Londonis USC Annenberg’s new career-focused program specifically designed for all ASCJ majors
Global Summer Internship Program is Marshall’s 8-10 week internship overseas in Dublin, London, Madrid, Singapore, Hong Kong, Prague, Berlin, Barcelona, and Sydney, offered with small to medium-sized companies. Placement focuses on a student’s abilities and background and their interests.
Art History, Earth Sciences/Geological Sciences, Psychology, and Neuroscience majors can head University College Londonfor a research-based program.
Join the British American Drama Academy in London Learn more about the program here: https://dornsife.usc.edu/uk-london-bada
Get regal at King’s College.This program is open to International Relations, English, Biological Sciences, Human Biology, and Neuroscience majors
The famous London School of Economics offers a program for USC students. Students are directly enrolled and can choose from more than 350 undergraduate courses in all social science subjects.
Art & Business Program at Sotheby’s Institute of Art is an intensive semester program is designed for those who are interested both in art history and the business practices of the art world. See if it’s a fit for you here: https://dornsife.usc.edu/uk-london-sothebys/
Want more from Trojans 360?
Visit Trojans 360 on Facebook & Twitter to stay up to date with more student content! You can also Ask A Trojan an anonymous question, and we’ll try to answer it in a future post. And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram!
Trojans 360 is USC’s official student-run blog. Content created by students, for students.
