Originally settling into Tower Hill was a bit overwhelming, but I was able to adjust to my new environment relatively well! I quickly found the grocery stores and cafes a short walk away from me so that I can quickly grab what I need. I was also pleasantly surprised to find out Uber Eats is used here, so that’s been super helpful as well. I miss a lot of the food back home, as well as ice, so I will surely be more appreciative of these things once I return to the US. Once I figured out how to use the public transport system, which is relatively easy, I was unstoppable. I feel as though I could get wherever I may need to, which is perfect for exploration.

When attending class at the CEA CAPA center, I take the Circle or District line to Kensington. Most of my classes are field study based so I get to explore other parts of the city, but when I am in Kensington I am close to a lot of the museums. I already visited the Science Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum, both I enjoyed immensely. The one I am most excited for however, is the National History Museum. I was able to walk through its courtyard and it was beautiful. I look forward to using my next couple weeks here to exploring both of these main areas.  

I find there to be more differences between CEA CAPA and the University of Pittsburgh than similarities. In my CEA CAPA experience, most of my classes for my Shakespeare class have been field studies out of the classroom. I’ve enjoyed this immensely, as I’ve gotten to explore more of London under an educational lens. It also doesn’t hurt that part of the course involves seeing live productions of Shakespeare’s works, so I am having a great time! I wish my classes at Pitt involved field trips, but regardless they both still provide challenges to my academic career which I appreciate. 

For my internship, I am working in the event management and customer engagement industry. I am loving it! Now looking at my resume, I didn’t realize how many of my previous experiences led me to having the skills required for this job. My attention to detail has certainly been utilized and enhanced through my event preparation and documentation. Getting to work live events on the riverboat for my internship has been the best experience I could have asked for! I get to work with an amazing team while taking in all the sights of the city. The city is especially beautiful when lit up at night, and it’s made me love London even more! 

In order to be successful in a professional and academic environment, I think adaptability is crucial. Leaving room for flexibility allows for unexpected growth, as well as new opportunities to present themselves. Especially when working live events, things can change quite rapidly and a successful coordinator should be able to tackle challenges with calmness and confidence. My experience abroad certainly has helped grow all of these competencies and I can’t wait to see what further developments I make during my last few weeks here in London!