Greenwich, The Prime Meridian, and The National Maritime Museum- Maxx Young

This Wednesday we took another day trip out the Greenwich. There we saw the National Maritime Museum, a local food market, and the Prime Meridian. While in Greenwich we also went to the Royal Observatory which had amazing views of the city of London. 

Views from the Royal Observatory

Greenwich- Liza Reineri

Who would have thought? Sun in London!

Yesterday Dr. Mee took us to Greenwich to visit the National Maritime Museum and Prime Meridian. It was a really nice change of scenery from Bloomsbury and probably the first time we have seen grass since getting to London. It also didn't hurt that it was sunny and the warmest day thus far.

We spent about an hour at the museum learning about British history, then took a short hike up to the observatory to see the skyline. The top had the most amazing view of the city and a big plaque noting the divide of the eastern and western hemisphere, making for some great photo ops.

I think most of us agree yesterday was one of the best field trips we have had so far. It was really refreshing to see a little countryside for the first time in almost a month. Our next field trip is tomorrow to the London Eye and then Saturday we are off to Cambridge!

Skyline

Group at the Observatory

Prime Meridian!

Night Walk- Tate Henson

Maxx and I went on a nearly 5 mile, random walk the other night. Saw some pretty cool things. London is ginormous. We will never see it all. 

Buckingham Palace gate

Giant Horse Head. Not sure the significance.

The Wellington Arch (Constitution Arch)

Paris Weekend-Caitlin Burchette

Me, Heidi, and Ashton at the Eiffel Tower

Hi Everyone! I can't believe we've been in London for almost three weeks now. Last weekend we decided to take a break from exploring London and the UK and 12 of us went to Paris!

Ashton and I at the Louvre

Paris was very different from London, especially since none of us spoke French, but we were able to get past the language barrier and have a blast. We went to all the touristy spots like the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame,  the Arc de Triomph, and, my favorite, the Louvre!

I have to say, while all the spots we visited were beautiful, I think my favorite part of Paris was the food. We had crepes, croque madame-which is a ham sandwich with an egg on top, and some of us even tried escargot which was surprisingly very good.

Me trying escargot

While I was very excited to head back to London, I couldn't have thought of a better way to spend a weekend than in the city of Paris with 12 of my best friends!C

Tube Games- Heidi Faust

A group of us ventured to Paris this weekend, but I will let someone else blog about that. Instead, I will give you an example of just how much fun this group of students is. 

As we sat on the Tube back to central London from Heathrow Airport, we were so excited to come back, that we had some different opinions about what would be the fastest way to get home (London really feels like home now). Alan and Rob were adamant about their way being the fastest, and everyone else had our minds set on our way. I suggested we split up and see who gets there the fastest........This brought out our competitive GLS sides, and we immediately started making a complete list of rules and scheming. The boys tricked us and RAN out of the Tube at the next stop...it was game on! 

When the boys left we had several stops to plan our course. Much to our dismat, the speaker came on and said that the Northern Line was CLOSED! Instantly, we had these distraught looks on our faces and had to quickly come up with a new plan of attack. We were SPRINTING up the escalators out of the Tube stations to get back to 99 Great Russell Street first. Of course my team won, and we took our time stamp picture and headed to our flats so we could be in the showers relaxing when the losers strolled in. 

Team Cheaters- Rob Graham and Alan Porter

Team Winners' Game Faces- Sarah Bishop, Sydney Eiler, Carly Frensley, Jillian Vaulk, Caitlin Burchette, Jordan Tipton, Ashton Banta, Heidi Faust, Georgia Ralston, and Andrew Currey. 

The annoying part of this whole thing (and completely unsurprising knowing Alan and Rob) is that they weren't planning on playing the game in the first place. They knew our route was faster, but couldn't admit it, so they decided to hop off the Tube and act like they were going on with their plan, when instead they got lunch....QUITTERS! They cae back an hour later and tried to tell us they had run home and then left to get food...but we still won fair and square. I love our class.

Gaining Exposure- Jian

I AM LOVING LONDON. I have made so many friends, visited so many amazing places, and experienced many cultural events. Honors Statistics is tough, but during my spare time, I breakdance with the local London University's Breakdance society to cool things off. They welcomed me with open arms and invited me to dance with them every week. I felt as if I belong there. I am learning new tricks every week and meeting better dancers who are dedicated to teaching. Every time I go to breakdance practice, it seemed like a big cultural exchange. I would tell them about where I'm from, and they would tell me about their lifestyles and culture. One thing I like about London is the international people of different backgrounds, culture, and religion. If you really seek to gain more exposure outside of the your american group, you'll be able to learn so much more about the local community. 

Sunday Afternoon Walk-Sophie Henssler

I walked to Oxford Circus today and there is this really nice sushi and noodles place where you could put together your own meal. There are lots of different ways to get to the same place and I found this really small street that we can use to get to Soho square faster. 

Oxford Street

Shortcut

Birthday Weekend in Paris - Ashton Banta

The Flat 8 girls (myself, Jillian, Sydney, Caitlin, Sarah, & Georgia)!  We leave for Paris, along with 6 other friends, in just a few hours!

In exactly 9 hours, I will be arriving in Paris, France!  Oh, and it will also be my 20th birthday!  I'm a very lucky girl and get to travel with 11 of my friends to spend my birthday in Paris!  I can't think of a better way to end my reign of being a teenager.  

So far London has been wonderful.  I can't believe how fast time is going by!  It still seemed like forever until my birthday when we got here, and now it's less than 45 minutes away.  

I'm so happy that I'll get to spend this day and weekend with some of my best friends exploring a city I have dreamed of going to since I was a little girl!  If you hear a news story about some obnoxious Americans singing "Paris Holds the Key (to Your Heart)" (Anastasia, anyone?!)...........it wasn't us. 

Au revoir! 

An Unexpected Detour- Liza Reineri

Well, someone was bound to get lost eventually, so I figured I would just get over with early..

Yesterday was quite an eventful day. I had my internship interview with the Fulbright Commission, an organization that promotes educational exchange and cultural awareness. Located near the Battersea Power Station and River Thames, my map and travel instructions said that it would take around 30 minutes to get there by tube from our flats. 

So, being very unfamiliar with the area, I left about 2 hours early. I figured I would get off the tube, figure out where I was going, find a Starbucks and just relax for a bit. Unfortunately, that didn't really go as well as I planned... 

Instead, I got off the tube, headed the direction of the office, and...roadblock! The helicopter crash that occurred last week was right in the middle of the main intersection, now taped off and closed to all pedestrians and vehicles. Uh oh. 

I figured I could find a detour some way or another and tried to ignore the fact that there was only one main road to the power station. Long story short, after thirty minutes of walking around aimlessly, I called my contact at Fulbright and asked for help. With her and two coworkers help, I finally made it to the office. It took a train, bus ride, and over an hour and a half, but somehow I was still five minutes early to my interview (which, on a side note, went great). 

It was quite an afternoon. On the bright side, I would like to say I am now a train/bus riding pro (disregard the fact that Amanda, Sydney, and I got on the wrong bus today...maybe amateur is better).

Battersea Train Station, on the River Thames

 

Jacob Clabo - Post #2

It has been a little while since I have last posted anything, and yet a lot has happened since my last post. Mr arrival in London went very smoothly, and after some sleep-deprived city touring I have finally gotten into the Statistics class.  I am really enjoying having Dr. Mee and have found statistics to be useful.  I have also enjoyed the C.S. Lewis course.  I had an interview with DLA Piper, where I am planning on interning, and it went very well.  I have had a slight cold this last weekend and am finally glad to be over it.  I'm not really sure what else I should say on this blog, so I've attached a picture of me in a phone booth.

Louis Trapnell

London Bridge

Wow, so much has happened in the past week! I'll do my best to hit the highlights.

We have taken two business site visits already and both have been highly engaging. The first one we went to was Dunnhumby. They're a business analytics company and are most recognized for developing the Kroger Plus card. Their head of international relations gave us a phenomenal presentation and it was crazy to see how developing technology is allowing the producer to know more and more about the customer. 

The second business we've toured is Lloyd's of London. As most of you all know they're one of the most well known marketplaces for international insurance in the world. The building was incredible to walk through and it was fun being on the eastern side of London. My internship is going to be in the same area, so I paid extra attention to my surroundings (thinking ahead). 

We took a bus tour for a morning and I got to see all of the major tourists attractions I was hoping to see. From Big Ben to the London Bridge to St. Paul's Cathedral and the Houses of Parliament, we covered all of the big ones. 

This past Saturday we took a day trip to Oxford and although a good number of people in our group got sick afterwards because of the weather, I think everybody would say Oxford was a lot of fun. C.S. Lewis's home was really inspiring to walk through and being that we share a similar name just slightly spelled differently, I really made a connection with the house. Walking through the town was great too. It was the first city I've been to in England outside of London.

From what's coming to mind these are the main points worth sharing! The only thing I can think of that I would do without is Dr. Mee's tests, but the trip really wouldn't be a "study" abroad if there was no "studying" to do right? … The first one was a fair test and he's been doing a great job teaching. It's been really fun getting to know him in and outside of class.

Until next time mates, Cheers!

Oxford

Left To Right
Me, Alex, Luke
Inside the Eagle and Child- the pub where C.S. Lewis and Tolkien used to go to 

Trip to Oxford - Dania Li

This past Saturday, our GLS class went on a trip to Oxford! It was absolutely amazing, though the greater majority of us are sick now.

We started off visiting The Kilns (the home of C.S. Lewis)-with obligatory exploring of all the wardrobes-and ended with a snowball fight by the frozen pond in his backyard.

My lunch: fish & chips!

Afterwards, we had lunch at The Eagle and Child, a pub whose patrons included C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien!

At that point, we discovered that our plans for the day would possibly be altered due to the weather, but we decided to go exploring anyways.

Part of Oxford University!

Such a phenomenal trip!

London and Trip to Oxford- Maxx Young

My roommate Tate and I. 

Love for London- Carly Frensley

GLS takes London, organized picture (extremely proud)

But the composure doesn't last for long....typical

You think you understand just how amazing this opportunity is, but then you travel this outstanding city with 26 of your closest friends and it all comes to reality you just don't realize how perfect life is for all of us in London.  The first week has been filled with once in a lifetime experiences that are shaping each and every one of us day by day.  We are in the heart of London and living a life I could have never even dreamt of.  Trying to figure out the tube, even finding groceries that look or taste familiar, or learning how to live with five guys and only one girl: it's all something new, and I'm loving every second of it.  Daily routines are forming with a lot of exploration added in here and there, and in Flat seventeen there is never a dull moment.  I've been blessed with six wonderful roommates and we are soaking up every moment of living together in London.  This weekend we take Paris :)

The normal wardrobe of our Flat

HOOOOODY Foooost my lovely roommate & my partner in teaching the boys  the etiquette of proper living

Flat Seventeen, roommates for the next three months, Blessed!

Happenings in London- Georgia Ralston

We have been in London for almost two weeks; the time is flying by so fast.  It amazes me how many different things there are to see in this beautiful city.  Our days are busy with classes and exploring the city around us.  One of my favorite outings was touring Oxford and The Kilns. There were so many things to see and explore.  Dr. Mee took us to the Eagle and Child for lunch.  The food was really good, but the atmosphere is what really made the trip.  I can't wait to see what we discover this week with a trip to Paris planned for the weekend!!  

The top picture was found in the pub and gives a brief history of it.  The second picture was taken from the tower at St. Mary's in Oxford, and the third picture is me in the Great Hall where scenes of Harry Potter were filmed.

GLS Epidemic- Heidi Faust

Well, after walking around the beautiful Oxford, we are ALL sick here on Great Russell Street. Literally, every single one of us has carried a little something extra home with us from Oxford. Despite our sickness we are all still loving London and really starting to feel like more than just tourists. We have begun our second week of Statistics class and many of us look forward to a weekend in Paris on Friday. Can't wait to share that experience with readers. Cheers for now!

Heidi, Sydney, and Amanda in front of Christ Church. This is where much of the Harry Potter movies were filmed. 

Week One: Rickey Dandridge

It has only been a little over a week but it feels like we have been here for months. And I have loved every second of it! Of course, the highlight of it all was definitely our trip to Oxford to visit the Kilns (C.S. Lewis's house) and the University of Oxford. Plus I got to be Headmaster of Hogwarts for a day!

The Kilns!

Last Remaining Doorknob C.S. Lewis turned! 

 

It wasn't as good as Edmund made it seem.

Meeting Pub of the Inklings!

Headmaster for a Day!

Oxford and C.S. Lewis's house-Sophie Henssler

We went to Oxford to visit C.S. Lewis's home and to see Christ Church. It was amazing and it has been snowing the last few days which was wonderful.

Bridge in Oxford

C.S. Lewis's home

 Actually C.S. Lewis wrote all of his writing by hand and his brother typed it.

The type writer

Lake behind the house

They actually taste nice

Update- Sarah Bishop

Classic London tourist picture

Wow! I cannot believe we have already been here over a week. Basically I’m having the time of my life! London is simply amazing.

Yesterday we visited Oxford with Dr. Mee, which was amazing. Most of our class visited the C.S. Lewis house, but a few of us decided to tour Oxford. Despite the freezing cold and snow, we had a blast seeing all the beautiful colleges and learning about the history of Oxford. I found it quite ironic that New College in Oxford was actually founded in 1379!

Also, I found out where my internship will be. I will be working for SOCO International, which could not be any more perfect! They are an oil and gas exploration and production company, which is basically the type of company I want to work for after college. Meg, Lane, and Andrew did an amazing job with this placement and I could not be more excited!

Today is a relaxing day, as we will start tomorrow with another busy week! Not to mention Paris next weekend!! Needless to say I am having an amazing time and loving every minute here. Cheerio!

dunnhumby! - Andrew Currey

In the snow before our visit to dunnhumby!

It definitely does not feel like we have been here for over a week now!  Today we went and visited the place where I will be interning in March, and now I can't wait to start working!  dunnhumby seems like such a great place to work, and I really liked the casual atmosphere.  On our site visit, we learned many interesting things about the behind-the-scenes work of many large retailers.  The best part of the day was the snow! I'm really excited for our trip to the Oxford in the morning. This weekend will be a nice relaxing break from being in class all week.  Cheers.