Hi, my name is Sam Goddard, and I am a sophomore at Pitt majoring in Accounting and Finance. I am studying in the semester-long GBI London program, and I chose it because I love large cities and have always had a fascination with British culture. My goals for the program include learning new cultures and becoming a more all-around well-rounded student.

So far I am completely in love with London. It is a truly world-class city in every way. A blend of many cultures, top-tier foods, nightlife, people, museums, history and so much more. I have not found the culture shock too bad as I have spent a lot of time in large cities like NYC and Phili. The only differences are that they drive on the other side of the road, talk funny, and don’t like seasoning their food. My classes have felt somewhat similar to Pittsburgh except for the fact that they are all gen eds that kind of revolve around the city and that they are around three hours per class which can feel extremely long at times.

I live in the Little Venice area and really lucked out on my location. It’s a beautiful residential neighborhood with small bodegas and cafes where you can feel truly relaxed. I am just outside of Paddington and about 20 minutes to class. My easy access to the tube also means I can get anywhere in the city in less than an hour with ease and “included” cost. The only downside is that my room is a bit on the smaller side, and I have five flatmates and one roommate. Despite the close accommodations we get along fantastically. Overall, I am loving my new living situation.

That’s all for now,

Sam