Three Lessons I’ve Learned in Nearly Four Months Abroad in London
Date
March 30, 2026
- Always have a backup plan!
Traveling around London is very easy….most of the time. Coming from a small rural town with zero public transport to a massive system that has overground trains, subways, and buses was quite the welcome change for me. At first, it was a little overwhelming but it becomes intuitive after a while, trust. The first week I was here, there was a tube strike, and I had to take the bus instead, adding nearly 40 minutes to my commute. Rather inconvenient, but knowing a backup route was a good lesson to learn early on. Bus stops can be closed, the tube WILL get delayed, and the overground runs on a much more spaced out schedule. Absolutely, keep it in mind. - Have a list of easy meals/groceries
Sometimes cooking is exhausting after a long day of classes, but it's unsustainable to get dinner out every night, especially at London prices. A stable list of ingredients for simple meals is something I found that really helped me. My friends and I made sure to have backup easy meals like frozen pizzas or chicken tenders. We also made sure to stock up on sandwich ingredients, or stuff to make salads that last a couple of days. Keep in mind, it will be easier in the long run to get groceries every few days instead of a lot once a week. Getting and using reusable tote bags is also gonna help out. - Put yourself out there!
No time like the present to try new things and step out of your comfort zone than when you’re already stepping into a brand new country! Not only was I unfamiliar with public transport, living in a rural area, but I also needed to learn to take it to travel somewhere almost daily. Immediately, I turned to people in the program and eventually made friends to commute with. It’s not impossible to handle things alone, but where is the fun in that? Don’t be afraid to try to make local friends who live in London as well. Some of my best friends I made my semester were students at UCL or were born and raised in London. Explore the city, become a regular at a pub or a cafe, and truly make the most of your study abroad experience
These pieces were created by student contributors. The views and opinions expressed are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Arcadia Abroad.