Stroll along the River Thames featuring the London Bridge!

Author: Leah Christenson | Major: Theatre

My name is Leah Christenson. I’m a Theatre major in Fulbright College, and I recently went on the Theatre in London Study Abroad. I first heard about the Theatre in London Study Abroad my freshman year and quickly fell in love with the program. I promptly applied, only for Covid to cancel the next two years’ worth of applications. As the number of cases began to drop and the public became widely vaccinated, theaters began to open once more and I, now a junior, was completely determined to experience the joyful returns to the stage taking place all over the world. As a theatre artist, immersing yourself in theatre is a crucial part of the learning experience. The more you watch and critique theatre, the more finely attuned you become to the ingredients for a successful show. As a performer and costume designer, I was called to reflect upon the art I observed and discuss my thoughts with a group of burgeoning performers, designers, writers, and creators.

London is a wealth of world-renowned museums, historic architecture, thousands of cultural food experiences, and beautiful places to explore. We visited iconic landmarks such as Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. The view of the city from the very top of St. Paul’s Cathedral is breathtaking, rivaled only by the Sky Gardens perched along the Thames river. I fell in love with the food there and found every possible opportunity to have tea with scones, strawberry jam, and clotted cream. A perfect day would be wandering through the Victoria and Albert Museum, taking in the fascinating combination of history and modernity in art, architecture, theatre, and sculpture, and finding yourself in their little cafe with a bag of gorgeous V&A books full of glossy photos from their collections. I’m lucky enough to call that one of my memories. After coming back to the United States, I must say I’ll miss London’s public transport system dearly. We were full of pure delight once we realized that any adventure we could possibly dream up was within reach of the London Underground, a double-decker bus, or, in some cases, an hour’s train ride. My Oyster Card became my key to the city, and I soon learned to navigate the Underground without hesitation. This program has helped me realize that a metropolitan area is where I’m meant to be, especially if I can see amazing National Theatre or West End productions with a 25-minute ride on the Underground.

I would absolutely recommend this program to other students. Whether you’re a first-time international traveler or travel aficionado, the city of London has excitement to offer everyone. Just make sure to pack your umbrella and an extra winter coat! I found myself on more than one occasion wondering if leaving my winter puffer at home was, in fact, the right choice. At the very least, a thick sweatshirt is recommended! The city is brimming with adventure, so it’s important to plan ahead! We used an app called TODAYTIX to book theatre tickets in advance, and greatly benefitted from the wide array of offerings and discount prices. Going into the program, prioritize the excursions, events, or restaurants you most want to experience. That being said, give yourself at least a day to wander through London and let adventure come to you! Some of our most treasured experiences, fascinating thrift store finds, and tastiest treats came from an openness to opportunity and recommendations from locals. After a month away from home, I’ll return laden with wonderful memories, new artistic fuel, and an incredible pair of pants. The first thing I’ll do when I get home? Curl up with my two cats, Grayson and Oliver, while googling how best to find clotted cream (a delicious British dairy spread) in the United States.