Arcadia Scotland

One of my favorite tube stories has to do with my American accent. I was chatting with a friend on the tube, and a little boy overheard me. He turned to his mother and (in the most posh British accent) asked, "Mummy, why do Americans speak the same language as us but have those funny little accents?". I have a very distinct Midwestern accent and dialect, so it came as no surprise that this little boy picked up on the fact that I was not born and raised in Britain. During my time in London, I have realized that these differences between the United States and Britain go deeper than just our accents. Our cultures are fundamentally different. When I arrived in London, I decided not to hide from these differences, and instead, I immersed myself in British culture. And, of course, this started with doing those quintessentially British things. Today, I want to share some of my favorite British things I have tried while in London!

Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap

When you think of famous British authors, it is impossible not to name Agatha Christie. It almost feels like she does not need an introduction… however, I cannot resist talking about her! Only outsold by the Bible and Shakespeare, Christie is a master of mystery and crime novels as well as a couple of plays. What started as a radio play for Queen Mary became the longest-running play in the world. Opened in 1952, The Mousetrap follows eight characters as they attempt to figure out who is the murderer among them while they are all snowed in at a guesthouse. I scored last-minute, front-row tickets in September for my parents and myself. We had a blast! The Mousetrap is everything that a play should be. Christie’s mastery is on full display in her artfully written dialogue with clues laid out for audience members to pick up on. The characters pull you in so it feels as if you are a guest yourself. It left me guessing until the very end and the ending was so clever! Fun fact: Christie was extremely upset anytime someone spoiled the ending in newspaper reviews. And I totally agree with Christie here! Even the actors believe that it should be a secret! believe that the best way to go into The Mousetrap is with no spoilers whatsoever so you will just have to go see it yourself! Will you figure out whodunnit?

A Football Game

Like every rambunctious child, my parents put me into soccer. Now, I realize that I just made a faux pas by calling it soccer instead of football, but since I played in America, I feel like I can call it soccer just this once! In 2015, my dad took me to see the United States women's national soccer team. Since then, I have not been to a professional game. When Arcadia offered free tickets to the Arsenal women's football game, I jumped at the chance to see another game! I donned the one red shirt I packed and got ready to experience my first British football game! The guy behind me took a date to see the game and explained the rules to her, which was very fortunate for me because I got a quick reminder of the rules and how they differ from American soccer! What surprised me the most was how into the game everyone was, including myself! The energy was palatable in the air, with people constantly on their feet and cheering. Time flew so quickly and I could not believe it was over. It was a tense game that ended in a tie, but I left energized and already searching for tickets to another match!

Cream Tea

Honestly, I am a little hesitant to share this next spot because it is hard enough to get a table now! However, I am sharing in hopes that it brings me good karma so I can get an indoor table next time! I stumbled upon Candella Tea Room after exploring Kensington Palace. This cute little shop has become my new obsession. I was lucky enough to snag an outdoor table with no reservation. If being in London for the past month has taught me anything, it is that I absolutely adore cream tea. Cream tea is afternoon tea's younger sister. It includes a pot of tea (usually black), scones, clotted cream, and jam. It is addictive, and Candella Tea Room's was especially good! They have a wide range of teas, so I promise that you will find something that you enjoy. I went with the caramel cream black tea. It had hints of rich butterscotch and sweet vanilla. (And if you like your tea, they even sell it, so you take some home with you the next time you need a pick-me-up!) British scones tend to be round and light. When you pair them with the buttery clotted cream and tart strawberry jam, it is just perfection! The inside of the tea room is quaint with its mix-match china and cozy interior. I am already planning to try the afternoon tea next time because the desserts looked so delectable! It is a must-visit if you want to try the British tradition of cream tea.  

Jack the Ripper

I am not a big true crime fan, although I feel like you have to do a Jack the Ripper tour if you find yourself in London. For those of you who stay away from true crime, Jack the Ripper was a serial killer who killed six women in 1888 and was never caught. When Queen Mary University of London offered a discount for any students who went during Welcome Week, I jumped at the chance. As someone who cannot handle a lot of blood and gory, I was pleasantly surprised about how beautifully Rebel Tours handled the subject. I took their "What About the Women?" tour that focused on the women who were killed by Jack the Ripper. Our tour guide walked us around Whitechapel, Aldgate, and Spitalfields while providing us with so much information about the history of the area so that we could fully understand Victorian London. She also shared the life stories of the victims while also highlighting some misconceptions about them. The focus was definitely on sharing their stories, which goes beyond how they were killed. Our tour guide also pointed out some of her favorite local restaurants and independent stores along the way. You can believe that many of them have been added to my list of places to visit! If you want to dive beyond the gruesome details, I recommend checking our Rebel Tour!

Harry Potter

My parents have always supported my ferocious reading habits, so it was no surprise that they bought me a box set of the Harry Potter novels in middle school. I was supposed to share them with my brothers, although I was very reluctant to give them the next book unless I finished it first. Because of this box set, I became obsessed with the Harry Potter series. When I saw that there was a production of The Cursed Child in London, I instantly knew I wanted to go see it! A friend and I carved out some time to dedicate to the 5-hour and 20-minute play in our hectic schedules. Yes, seriously, it is that long! There is a version in the United States that is shortened to 3-hours, although I argue that a lot of plot is missing from the abridged version. The Cursed Child follows Harry Potter's youngest son, Albus, as he enters Hogwarts and attempts to live up to his father's legacy. As a regular theatergoer, I am no stranger to illusions on stage however, this play takes it to another level! The production has its own master magician who developed the special effects. It is evident that he put lots of love and care into the audience's experience because they allow the audience to feel like they are students at Hogwarts themselves. From onstage visits from Centaurs to actors disappearing into fireplaces, these illusions reminded me of the magic I felt when reading these books for the first time years ago. The Cursed Child was a nostalgic trip down memory lane. So, if you find a free Saturday or Sunday on your calendar, I recommend that you book The Cursed Child. I promise that it will show you how magical London is! 

The Monarchy - Hampton Court Palace

The monarchy is a (literal) foreign concept to me as an American citizen. We have very view castles or palaces in the States and none of them actually house royalty. So, I have visited quite a few palaces and castles during my time in Britain. My favorite is Hampton Court Palace, which is an hour and a half outside of London, but totally worth the travel! Built in the 16th century, Hampton Court Palace is best known for being the home of Henry VIII, who brought all six of his wives to the palace. It fell in disrepair after the royals left in 1737. However, Queen Victoria opened it up to the public in 1838 after renovations. The interior is beautiful. My favorite room is the Great Hall, which includes several detailed tapestries depicting the life of Abraham from Genesis and Anne Boleyn's coat of arms hidden on the ceiling. Shakespeare and his company put on a production of Macbeth and A Midsummer Night's Dream in the Great Hall for James I. As a Shakespeare nerd, it was so special to be able to be in a surviving space where he performed. As beautiful as the interior is, the 750 acres of land outside of the palace takes your breath away. The gardens are stunning, with pops of red and yellow flowers and rich purple grapes on vines. The gardens were also showcased in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. (I feel like it has become a tradition to reference Bridgerton in my blog posts!) Hampton Court is such a unique place to visit and it will be a highlight of your study abroad experience! 

While I was exploring all the differences between American and British culture, I was also shocked by how much was similar. I loved seeing all the dads who were taking their daughters to see the football game. My dad was very diligent in showing me female role models growing up, especially role models in sports. It feels good to see that this is something that Brits and Americans share! My mom and I share tea together in the States, just like many of the other mother-daughter pairs that were present in the tea room with me. Harry Potter is something that so many people around the world bond over. By exploring British culture, I learned more about my own culture as an American. That is the beauty of studying abroad. You learn so much about yourself and your culture.