Deanna Gorman is a student at Luther College and an ISA Featured Blogger. Deanna is currently studying abroad program in London on an ISA Fall 4 program.
I can’t believe it is another Sunday and I am writing another blog, the weeks are just FLYING by!! This was a packed week not only for London, but for ISA. I am beginning to really settle into my classes and naturally there will be ones I fancy more than others. This semester I foresee it being my Economics and Government class. It is a Year 3 course so most of the students are my ages and the structure is geared much more toward group discussion. It is very interesting to get a look into UK government and policy and comparing and contrasting to how the States handle the same situations. Being the only American in the class, occasionally the lecturer will ask for insight into the “American way” because the UK is quite abreast to what is happening in the States economically and politically. It is a great atmosphere in which I can learn but also bring another first hand perspective to how another county’s policies work.
Before I knew it, it was Wednesday which means I would get to explore another sight in London with ISA. This week, that sight happened to be the famous British Museum! I have never been really into museums and such but I was still excited to go. We arrived and just like everything else in London, there was so much to see and it was all incredible! We walked through many exhibits from Ancient Athens and East Asia, to exhibits on money and watches. We spent several hours wandering around trying to see and absorb all we could!
After a while, we had seen all we could absorb for one day and needed to fill our tummies. We decided to stop at a cute little café on our way to the tube station and I had official English Fish & Chips for the first time!! They were absolutely AMAZING!! :) I couldn’t even wait for it to cool down and I burned my mouth….! Another London must have crossed off the list. I think that may have to become a weekly meal.
Our next big outing was on Saturday Afternoon to Buckingham Palace. We have nothing comparable in the States so I was excited to see how royalty lived. I took us about 2 hours to get through the 7 rooms open to the public. Everything was absolutely exquisite! From the gold banisters to the furniture to the intricately detailed ceilings to the magnificent murals on the wall. We don’t see that type of detail given to buildings and such in the States. It is mind-blowing to think about how much time and effort someone spent on the furnishings in the house for the royals. It was such a gorgeous day not only inside the Palace, but also outside.
Our final excursion of the week was an all day trip to Canterbury and Dover. Now we had to be at the bus station at 6:50am so part of me was not thrilled out going on this trip. But like always, England doesn’t disappoint and we had a fabulous day!
Canterbury is an adorable little college town with dozens of shops and a variety of food. The big tourist site in Canterbury was the cathedral and it was a sight to see indeed! Then we traveled to Dover and toured the castle, my second official castle of the trip. It was a long day, but a good day! I got back to my flat and had a night in with my flatmates who I had not seen in what seemed like ages and we all chatted out about our weekends and the adventures we had been on. I have only known them for 3 weeks and already we are so close. They have been so welcoming to us, I just love my new Flat Family!!
