University of Wisconsin–Madison

United Kingdom: Maria Fichtinger (Places: Routine & Favorite)

One of the most important areas I frequent in my day to day life here in London is the Tube. Public transportation has played a much bigger role in my time abroad than I originally expected. In Madison, our public transportation consists only of the bus system, which is typical for a city of that size. In contrast, nearly every day I use the London Underground. Mainly, I take the Bakerloo line two stops from Baker Street station where my student accommodation for the University of Westminster is located, to Oxford Street station, where most of my classes take place. I have found the history of the Underground here in London to be particularly interesting, enough so to complete a class presentation on the topic. London’s Tube system was the first of its kind, and was created as a way to fight congestion and traffic in Victorian London. Today, it boasts over 400 kilometers of lines, and is truly the lifeblood of the city. So many people depend on the Underground for their day to day lives, and being a part of that group helps me feel at ease in a city so large.

A small self-portrait of Vincent Van Gogh with a bandaged ear on a plain white wall.
Vincent Van Gogh’s famous self-portrait

The Underground truly has brought me all over the city, but my favorite location has had to be the Courtauld, a collection of art and education institutes in the Somerset House near Covent Gardens along the River Thames. Dating back to the 1930s, their art collection is known for being cutting edge for its time, helping to shape the modern taste in art from the Impressionist period. They have works by Cezanne, Degas, Sauret, and Monet, as well as collections of medieval and renaissance art. Two of the most famous paintings in their collection are “A Bar at the Folies-Bergere” by Manet, and “Self-Portrait with a Bandaged Ear” by Van Gogh. Impressionism is personally my favorite era of artwork, and getting to sit in a room surrounded by such paintings is, at least to me, almost meditative or therapeutic. This museum is free for students. I have found that one of my favorite aspects of living in a city like London is the accessibility to such artwork that I don’t have back at home.

Maria smiles in front of a white wall wearing a pink shirt and denim overalls.

Maria Fichtinger 

Hometown: Rochester, Minnesota

Major: History; Cert. in European Studies and Education & Educational Services

Program: University of Westminster

I have always wanted to go to London, and this program fit well with the degree I am pursuing.