Studying Abroad in London: Music, Food, Shoes, and More!
I’m quickly falling for this new city with its delicious pastries, free museums, and admirable citizens. London is the type of city that welcomes you with open arms and a smiling face. New York City may not welcome you with open arms and a smiling face, but when you fall, she will always reach out and give you a hand. London is similar to New York in a lot of ways, but they have quite distinct differences.
My name is Torey McCall, a senior at LIM College currently studying abroad at the London College of Fashion (LCF). I’m a Visual Studies major currently enrolled in Fashion Visual Merchandising and Branding, Consumer Insight for Visual Brand Communications, and Culture and Identity courses here at LCF. I’ve been in school for two weeks now and the professors here are incredibly impressive and passionate about their positions. Thus far the workload has been exceedingly manageable and balancing my academic and personal life's a breeze.
There are endless things to do in London when you’re allotted some free time. This week, I went to a live concert at Blues Kitchen where every Wednesday locals perform and all cocktails are £5. The groups sang everything from Aretha Franklin to Gnarls Barkley.
Some other things I did during the week included that on Monday, I visited Tate Modern, a contemporary art museum, their collection is sublime. I was able to view Marcel Duchamp’s readymade “Fountain”, Cecilia Vicuña’s fifty large strands of unspun wool, and so much more.
On Tuesday, I spent an afternoon in the park reading John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, if you haven’t read it, I highly recommend that you do, and don’t forget your tissues. It's a tear-jerker.
On Saturday and Sunday, I spent my weekend at an EDM music festival where my friends and I danced nonstop for hours.
Now, I’m sure you’re wondering about the fashions. What are the people wearing? Where are they shopping? Shoes, shoes, SHOES? Well, let me tell you! The shopping scene here is fabulous! Sample sales on Oxford Street will have your heart singing. Imagine this, Marni leather ankle boots for £200 originally £950, if only they had my size!
Harrods, the seven-story department store is like a dream. They have everything from exotic cheeses to exotic leather handbags. Yes I know, I want to live there too. As far as the population's style of dress, it is just like New York. People tend to dress professionally, comfortably, and stylishly. This is because they’re both heavy walking and working cities.
Although I’m still new to London, it is already beginning to feel like home. I’ve made some beautiful friends, I’m studying at a lovely institution, and I’m making lifelong memories.