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Considering studying abroad in London, England? This article is for you!

First, a very brief introduction so you know a bit about my perspective while I’m writing this - I’m Nikki Lo, and at the time of this writing, I’m a rising college senior currently studying abroad in London.

I’m doing a month-long summer program here focused on travel journalism, which is perfect for me as someone who loves to write, and I go to school in the U.S.!

Today, I’m sharing 14 things you should know about the city if you’re thinking about studying abroad in London.

I’ll be touching on things like culture, public transportation, safety, weather, recreation, and more - basically anything that’ll be helpful to know prior to coming here.

One more small thing - obviously, I’m writing from personal experience here (and that of a foreigner), and everyone’s experiences are going to vary slightly.

I’m not trying to say that my experience will 100% match yours if you come here. Some things may be the same, differ slightly, or be totally different. No matter what your experience is though, I hope it’s a good one! <3

So, whether you’re set on coming to London, still deciding where you want to study abroad, or deciding whether you even want to go abroad or not, I hope knowing these 14 things will help you make more informed decisions and prepare you for your adventure abroad. Let’s get into it!

Studying Abroad In London: 14 Things To Know

#1: Infinite Languages, Accents, & Cultures

I knew before coming here that London was a multicultural city, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t surprised when experiencing just how multicultural it truly is.

Since arriving, I feel like I’ve heard dozens of different languages - everything from English, Spanish, Italian, French, Chinese, and more that I can’t even recognize.

When it comes to accents, I obviously expected to hear tons of British ones, but I didn’t expect to hear just as many other kinds of accents as British ones.

Particularly American accents! I will say, it’s been nice hearing all of the American accents around the city as a newcomer. It feels like I have a little slice of home right here in London with me.

#2: The 24 Hour Clock Is Everywhere

This has been a challenge for me! No longer can I simply look at a schedule and know what time I have to be somewhere.

I have to take the extra mental step of subtracting twelve from the noted time, and sometimes even have to double check using a calculator because I can’t do mental math, haha!

Even then, there’s still that little voice in my head when I arrive somewhere that says, “oh no - what if 14:00 hours isn’t actually 2:00 and I got the time wrong?”

A small inconvenience, but it’s been an adjustment for sure - so if you’re not used to using the 24 hour clock, just a heads up that it’s everywhere in London!

#3: Food Expires Quickly

This was something my study abroad program’s staff warned us about during orientation, and I’m sure glad they did.

Back in the U.S., I'm used to perishable food lasting weeks. It’s easy to leave it in my fridge and forget about it, and then eat it right before it expires (not my best habit).

Here, I’ve bought a pack of jam donuts that literally expired the very next day!

It’s forced me to be more on top of managing what’s in my fridge so I don’t waste food by letting it expire.

#4: No Screens On Windows

This was one I knew about before coming here, but that doesn’t mean I like it!

I love having screens on my windows at home to keep bugs and other unwanted critters out of my flat/apartment while still enjoying fresh air.

Here, I’ve had to balance enjoying that air with keeping the windows closed sometimes to keep the bugs out.

#5: Don’t Stress About Taking The Tube!

Sure, I’ve messed up taking the Tube a few times since arriving here, but after a week, I can say I feel like I’ve gotten the hang of it.

I feel silly for doing so much research on “how to take the Tube” before coming here - I would have been totally fine having done no research at all.

So, if you’re like me and worried about looking like an idiot while taking the tube, I wouldn’t stress.

Literally all you do is scan your payment method and then follow the signs to the train platform.

Use a navigator app like Citymapper (this app has been my saving grace in London) to help you get around the city and know exactly what train to take.

And if that fails, there’s no shortage of station attendants around who you can ask for help.

But if you’re still wanting to check out a guide on riding the Tube beforehand, I found this video particularly helpful.

#6: No/Very Spotty Service on the Tube

Just a small note on the Tube that’s worth knowing beforehand, since you’re underground - there’s almost no cell service!

So, be prepared to wait until you’re above ground again to send texts and scroll social media.

I’d recommend having some entertainment downloaded before you ride so you have something to keep you occupied during your commute.

#7: Allot Extra Time To Commute To Class

Now this will obviously vary a lot depending on where you’re staying, how close you live to a Tube station, and where you’re trying to go.

The Tube itself is fast, reliable, and convenient, but it still takes between 40-55 minutes to get into the London center (at least from where I am in North London).

For me, it takes about 13 minutes to get to the nearest Tube, and then my ride to class is about 25 minutes. Once I get off the train, I have to walk about 13-15 minutes to get to school.

Students - especially when you’re first learning to navigate the Tube and the city, use Google Maps and Citymapper to determine about how long your commute to class will be.

Then, allot extra time in case you take the wrong train, get lost, or experience a mishap of any kind.

#8: A.C. Is Not Guaranteed

If you’re studying abroad here during warmer months, just know that air conditioning is pretty hit or miss in London.

The flat I’m staying in doesn’t have one, but I’ve found most of the public buildings I’ve been to, like restaurants and stores, do have A.C. (thank goodness).

As someone who suffers from heat-triggered migraines, I’ve had to be extra careful about being in the heat for too long and always carry my pills and a water bottle with me.

So, remember to stay hydrated while you’re exploring the city - no matter what season you’re visiting in.

#9: London Gets Hot!

Continuing on the topic of heat - this might be the most obvious statement ever if you’re from the London area or have ever visited during the summer, but I totally didn’t expect it.

I’ve always heard that London’s weather is cool, grey, and drizzly, so I overpacked on sweatshirts and long pants!

If you’re visiting during the warmer months, bring plenty of warm-weather clothes so you’re not walking around the city and riding the Tube sweating like me.

Of course, it can never hurt to have a couple of cold weather items in case you have a day where it’s cooler, but they definitely shouldn’t be the majority of your packing for a summer trip.

#10: Safety

Personally, this was a big factor for me when deciding whether or not I would be studying abroad in London.

I didn’t want to travel anywhere that was generally considered unsafe for foreigners, especially as a woman.

When it comes to safety and crime in London, here’s what I’ve been told by my study abroad program, academic advisors, and by people I know who have visited before.

So far, I’ve found my experience to match what they told me pretty closely! London is generally considered to be a very safe city, and there’s very little violent crime.

Obviously, that doesn’t mean there aren’t areas you should avoid or that you shouldn’t be aware of your surroundings when you’re out.

But so far, I’ve had no issues (nor have I seen any) when exploring the city during the day- both alone and in a group.

I can’t really speak on going out at night though because I generally avoid doing that.

The main thing to watch out for (and you’ve definitely been warned about this if you’ve been doing your research) is pickpockets and petty theft.

I haven’t been pickpocketed so far and obviously want to keep that streak going!

The main thing that’s helped me is by using one of these anti-theft cross body bags when walking around.

I really love this one from Travelon - it has everything from locking zippers, anti-slash straps, and thieves can’t use scanners to steal your credit card and identity info when they walk past you.

I’m no expert though, so here’s a helpful guide on how to avoid being pickpocketed while traveling that I’ve found really useful as well!

#11: Tons Of Nature & Greenery

I don’t know about you, but I don’t typically associate big cities with nature, so I was surprised to experience just how much of it London actually has - mainly in terms of trees, parks, and green spaces.

Especially North London, which is the area I’m staying in.

My route to the tube station is full of beautiful, lush, trees with leaves and branches hanging over the pathway, and vines and flowers to accompany it. It makes my commute to class that much more lovely.

Back to parks - there are so many! Sometimes it’s just a cute little rectangle of green and quiet in the middle of the city, but then there are the big parks like Hyde and Regents.

If you need a little escape from London’s hustle and bustle without actually leaving the city, definitely take advantage of the many green spaces it has to offer because they are so so beautiful!

#12: So. Much. Coffee!

You always hear about England’s tea scene, but not much about its coffee scene.

Well, if you’re a coffee lover (like me) visiting London from abroad, fear not - there is absolutely no shortage of cute coffee shops and cafes to explore while you’re here.

And they do have tea, too if you’re into it! There’s cafes on almost every block, sometimes even multiple.

The big London-specific ones are Pret A Manger (I swear, I think this place has a cafe monopoly on the city) and Cafe Nero. There’s also plenty of Starbucks around, too!

#13: Self Checkout Is Weird

Okay, maybe I’m the only person that found the UK’s self checkout system confusing at first, but I’m used to the U.S. system of just simply scanning your item and putting it in a bag.

Here, there are very specific instructions you must follow - and the self checkout machines use a combination of weight sensors and camera to know whether or not you’ve followed them.

I messed up my first time doing self checkout at Sainsbury’s and the machine literally halted my transaction until a store attendant came over and unlocked it for me!

Basically, the system is this:

Place your basket on the designated “basket” area on the left, scan your item, place it in the “packing area” on the right (but not in your bag just yet -

This is what confused me at first), then only once you’ve scanned all your items, placed them in the packing area, and paid, go ahead and place them in the bag.

If this sounds scary or dramatic, don’t worry! The store attendants have all been very nice about helping me check out when I mess up, and I’m sure they’re used to having to help foreigners being in London after all.

#14: Lots of Daylight/Lack Thereof

I’m visiting London during the summer, a small thing I noticed was just how long the days are here during this time of year.

The sky will start getting light well before four in the morning and after it sets in the evening, it won’t be completely dark until almost ten!

I’ve been loving this because it means there’s more time to go out and explore the city - I’m not the biggest fan of being out at night for safety reasons.

Flip this with during the winter - according to this site, London only gets around eight hours of daylight on an average December day compared to over sixteen in June!

This is super helpful to know for planning your days in the city, so definitely use it to your advantage.

Outro & Closing Thoughts

And there you have it - 14 things you need to know about London before studying abroad there.

I’ve loved my time in London so far. The city is beautiful and there’s endless amounts of history, cafes, shops. and markets to explore.

I hope that knowing these things beforehand will help you enjoy one of the world’s most incredible cities as a well-informed and prepared traveler!

Best of luck, wishing you all the love, and I hope you enjoy London as much as I am. <3

Thank you for reading “14 Things You NEED To Know Before Studying Abroad In London, England!”

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14 Things You NEED To Know Before Studying Abroad In London, England!