In all honesty, I haven’t found much of London’s culture difficult to adapt to. Having spent a lot of time in major cities like New York City and Philadelphia, I feel very comfortable in urban environments and would definitely consider myself a city person. The energy, diversity, and fast pace of London feel very familiar to me, and aside from a few small differences—like the British accent, driving on the left side of the road, and the slightly confusing electrical outlets—it doesn’t feel all that different from being in any other large American city. London is a true cultural melting pot, with people from all over the world, including plenty of Americans, which makes the transition even smoother. There’s an incredible variety of food from nearly every cuisine imaginable, and I have found people here to be extremely kind and welcoming, whether they’re lifelong Londoners or fellow expatriates.

When it comes to my internship, my biggest challenge has been the level of ambiguity in many of the tasks I’m assigned. In contrast to more structured academic or work experiences I’ve had in the past, many of my responsibilities here are quite open ended. Instead of receiving detailed instructions or step-by-step guidance, I am often expected to take initiative and figure things out as I go. This was a bit of a struggle at first, as it can be difficult to work toward a goal when you’re not entirely sure what the final product is supposed to look like. However, I believe this has been an important learning experience for me. It has helped me become more adaptable in a professional environment and has encouraged me to take ownership of my work in a way I might not have otherwise. While it was initially frustrating, I think it’s ultimately pushing me to grow in a positive way.

So far, I absolutely love being in London. There is so much to do, see, and experience, and I can’t get enough of it. I’ve already explored countless neighborhoods, visited historic pubs, tried amazing restaurants, attended theater performances, gone out to clubs, and discovered so many interesting spots throughout the city. Despite all of this, I know I’ve barely scratched the surface, and there is still so much left to explore. I’m excited to continue immersing myself in everything London has to offer and to see how the rest of my time here unfolds.