Thursday, May 15
Today officially kicked off our two-week study abroad program in London—and what a first day it was! After months of planning and excitement, it felt surreal to finally be here, walking the streets of one of the world’s most iconic cities.
My flight landed around 9 a.m., and even though I barely slept, I was too excited to feel tired. Once I arrived at the hotel, I dropped off my bags and met up with my friend Isabela, who had landed around the same time. Since our rooms weren’t ready yet, we wandered to a nearby café for breakfast. I got an egg sandwich and coffee, and Isabela went with avocado toast. It was simple but perfect, and the quiet moment to sit, eat, and take it all in was a great way to start the day.
Once we checked into our rooms and had time to freshen up, we met with one of the WorldStrides leaders for a short safety and orientation talk. They gave us a rundown on navigating the city, tips for using the Tube, and some general expectations for the trip. It was quick but helpful—and made everything feel very real.
Not long after, we headed to Wembley Stadium for our first big group outing. I didn’t realize just how massive and legendary Wembley was until we were standing in front of it. In 1948 it held the austerity games opening and closing ceremony and the 2012 soccer matches! The two-hour tour took us through the press areas, locker rooms, players’ tunnels, and even the Royal Box. Getting to look out over the field from that vantage point was honestly a “wow” moment. It’s easy to see why this stadium means so much to British sports and entertainment culture.
After the tour, we took the tube to a nearby pub-style restaurant for dinner. I had the classic fish and chips, and it did not disappoint. Crispy, golden, and delicious—definitely a comfort meal after such a busy day.
To finish off the night, a few of us walked around and stumbled into some shops. The weather’s been a little chilly, so we ended up buying jackets—which were both cute and practical. I thrifted a tan leather one, and I’m sure it’ll come in handy throughout the trip.
By the time we made it back to the hotel, we were exhausted in the best way. Day one is done, and I already know this is going to be an unforgettable experience. I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!
