Erin Stephenson, Genomics & Precision Medicine in England, Summer 2026
One of the things that surprised me most about my trip was the public transportation in Europe, and how it varies drastically within different areas of the UK. With the hub of London as its centerpiece, England’s transportation catered to people traveling in and out of the city. The college we stayed at was just an hour train ride north of London, making day trips a possibility that we took advantage of. The connectivity of high-speed trains allowed us to enjoy the beauty and affordability of living in the rural countryside, while not missing out on the city scene. While train tickets ended up being a good portion of my spending budget, I admired the balance in landscape that England offered me.
Trains were just the beginning. Once we made it to London, my eyes were opened by the speed and efficiency of the tube. It completely anchors the daily lives of London residents. My friends and I jumped right into the chaos, tubing multiple times a day, to and from class tours and events, dinner, coffee, and the many side adventures we embarked on. We came to find out that London consists of dozens of quaint, historical, distinct neighborhoods that wind around the Thames. They all have one thing in common: a train station. The tube is what connects these unique areas together, stringing along a chain of culture and sightseeing. For instance, there was an afternoon in London where we had the
gift of three hours of free time before a mandatory class dinner. My friends and I decided to spend it visiting Richmond, a small waterfront neighborhood with small shops, a park, and houseboat cafe. The only way we could visit was by buying a train ticket, and then hopping on the tube after. But the journey was worth it, because Richmond showed me the diversity that London had to offer and just how much scenery and livelihood was packed into one giant city. The tube ended up being a part of my trip I talked most about once I returned home, as it wormed its way into every story, acting as a bookend to each of the three days we spent in London.
Despite being a core part of my experience abroad, public transportation wasn’t all good. Being in a rural, remote college meant that we were a mile walk from the nearest village, and an hour’s walk from the nearest town. Ubers were scarce and expensive, and the local taxi services blocked American numbers. We were able to schedule a few taxis by using a phone booth (yes, the red one), but those were expensive as well.
The fundamental role transportation plays in all of our lives is universal, so
discovering how it operated differently in the UK compared to the U.S. was interesting. Even living a few days with access to the tube has left a lasting impact on me, especially when transitioning back to life in Pittsburgh. I know that life in London would have been different had I been there longer, but based on my first impressions, London beats Pittsburgh in the transportation department.
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