Exploring London Through Culture, Cuisine and Critical Perspective

Rethinking History, Power and Policy

From studying abroad, I got to understand more of why England has different political structures, yet similar social structures to the rest of the Western world. It expanded my knowledge of how ignorance of the impacts of slavery and colonization is prolonged in our society and prevents full reconstruction and healing. However, many institutions that have been normalized throughout history, in part due to England’s influence, functioned differently in the British mainland which I was unaware of before this course. 

Additionally, the historic involvement in global trade in the United Kingdom has left trading cities such as London with such a diverse demographic and cultural presentation that is very unique. As I take this experience in consideration with my further studies, I can be more critical in discussions about current institutional reconstruction and global historical relations impacting today’s politics and society.

Exploring London Through Food

The most rewarding experience I had while studying abroad was getting to try different cuisines. London is similar to many cities in the United States in how it is a center of cultural diversity and expression. There are many restaurants and cultural sectors all throughout the city, from Borough Market to Brick Lane, that I got to have a glimpse of for the short time I was there. 

Getting to try so many new dishes from Polish, Indian, French and Italian cultures was a hallmark of my trip. One of the last things that I had expected in England was for the food to be so good, as everyone I knew would warn me of how odd traditional English food is. However, I was fortunate enough to get a more diverse food experience than that of just fish and chips or beans.

Learning to Navigate — Literally and Figuratively

A challenge that I faced was learning to navigate the transportation system in London on my own. On one of my free days during this course, I was trying to make it to the Portobello area to meet up with some of my peers. In the process, I nearly got on the wrong bus, got confused on what stops I needed to transfer at and I struggled finding substitutes for bus and tube delays or shutdowns. 

To overcome this, I simply didn’t rush myself even though it took me much more time to reach my destination than expected. I was patient in understanding my next steps to get from stop to stop and ensured that I was reading the signs and maps to go the right way. By the end of that day, I was pretty confident in being able to maneuver my way through London despite the challenge it presented me at first.

Fast Trains, Old Buildings and Big Impressions

The efficiency of transportation and the intricacy of the architecture in London genuinely surprised me after being there for only a day. It was slightly confusing to learn to use the bus and train system, but once I finally got the hang of it, it was so quick to get around. From one of my tours, a guide emphasized that the tube transportation system is a highly connected and efficient mode of transportation within London. I saw this to be very true with how crowded the tube or buses would get during the weekdays, yet much more efficient than the U.S. metro system. 

Additionally, every building was absolutely stunning, with gothic inspired and intricate architecture that you typically only see in some parts of D.C. or other older urban areas in the United States. I was amazed at how you could tell just how old London was by simply walking the streets and looking around at all the structures and buildings.

Confidence, Caution and Curiosity

Don't be afraid to step out or explore on your own, however, stay aware and cautious. This was something I held very important to myself as a woman of color in a country thousands of miles away from home. It can really depend on the location you're visiting, but when you're studying abroad, your goal is ultimately to explore and learn about different cultures. Don't let fear stop you from doing exactly that. True learning comes from being brave enough to try new things on your own, while being safe and prepared as you do so.

If I hadn’t studied abroad, I would have never experienced an Indian Cookery Lesson with an awarded chef!

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