Laura Huston, Global Business Institute: London Spring 2024
The transition to life in London was definitely an adjustment, but there are many similarities between cultures in the United States and Europe. With this being said there were challenges that I encountered on a daily basis that required steps to overcome them. To begin, navigation and understanding the geography of London was a challenge. However, once you spent time familiarizing yourself with them, exploring the city, and using the transportation system, it became a simple way of life. To overcome this challenge it came with repetitive actions, such as using the tube frequently, using the transportation apps, and learning the surrounding neighborhoods. One thing that was extremely helpful were the tours very early on in the semester which took us through the neighborhood we were residing in and showed us many of the popular London landmarks.
In addition, learning the customs and unspoken rules within British culture was a challenge straight from the bat. Things as small as standing on the left side of the escalator or even looking the correct way when crossing the street were adjustments that came with time. Also, when traveling to other countries while you are studying abroad, it is important to remember that the customs are different, even from London, in these varying places. Something I found extremely beneficial when finding my footing in London and traveling was to speak with locals. They not only will explain things that you would’ve never figured out by yourself, but they also have amazing stories and advice to make your time abroad the best it can be!
A third challenge I faced was to be extra cautious due to pickpocketing and theft. This was something that I was warned about frequently early on, but it wasn’t cemented in my brain until I heard many first hand experiences and almost experienced it myself. Fortunately, I was never a victim of pickpocketing and made sure to always have my valuables in a zippered pocket of a bag or in my hand at all times. This was definitely a big change from my life at Pitt, where pickpocketing isn’t common, so I am glad to have found ways early on to combat this challenge. My overall advice would be to never leave your belongings anywhere where you cannot hold onto them and to be aware of your surroundings at all times no matter where you are. Although there were challenges throughout my experience, overcoming them allowed me to grow and learn and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to do so!
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