One of the plus sides of studying abroad in London is the accessibility to a global city. It is the most visited city in the world, and the home to a vast amount of diversity. I noticed this diversity in the people, the food, and the experiences. Another plus side of studying abroad in London is how easy it makes it to travel everywhere else in Europe. However, I want to focus this blog post on what the country of England also has to offer. There is much to do outside of London, and luckily the United Kingdom offers some of the most beautiful places in all of Europe. For instance, my program luckily offered a day trip to Cambridge, a small quaint town that is home to one of the most prestigious universities in the world. The trip to Cambridge was only a bus ride away, and we were able to tour the town and the university. My day there consisted of amazing pubs, eclectic markets, and a surprising quietness compared to the city of London. It was a pleasant escape from the busy city. I wish I had traveled to Oxford as well during my time in England.

Another day trip excursion that I was fortunate enough to go on was a trip to the White Cliffs of Dover, which is on the very edge of the country of England, facing France. I went with a few of my roommates and other friends we got close to while on the program. It was an easy train ride away, but not an easy hike to take to get to the cliffs. After walking around 5 miles (or what it felt like), we finally approached the white cliffs. It was a breathtaking view of the countryside that was well worth the walk over.

My advice for anyone studying abroad in England is to take advantage of what the country has to offer. I wish I could have seen more of it, such as Wales, Northern Ireland, or Scotland. Being in London it’s easy to get to everywhere else in Europe, but don’t forget to see everywhere else in the United Kingdom as well.