University of Wisconsin–Madison

England: LJ Bachenheimer (Daily Life in London)

I’ve grown to love my near-daily journeys on the Tube, London’s famous underground rail system. There’s a consistency in the routine of hurrying down the stairs at South Kensington station, coffee in hand, to catch a District or Piccadilly Line train, yet the experience I’ll have on board is different each time.

White lights spell out words that are mostly covered by leaf-less trees in front of a colorfully lit building at night.
A light display at the Canary Wharf Tube station from January’s Winter Lights show.

For one, the Tube is excellent for people-watching. On any given train, I might see a couple toting suitcases on their way to or from some unknown destination, parents answering questions from their energetic children, a woman reading a worn paperback novel, an older gentleman perusing the day’s newspaper, a stylish individual with an eye-catching coat, someone watching Netflix on their phone, a family conversing in a language I don’t recognize, or any variety of the great diversity of people London has to offer.

The Tube trends quiet, as Brits are reserved people and tend to keep to themselves, yet some of my favorite conversations in London have occurred while on a train under the city streets. My flatmate and I talked about what we want out of our lives on a Circle Line train headed to a concert. My friend Mason and I made a habit out of discussing topics in sociology on the Tube after class excursions. On the Northern Line after a concert in Camden, I struck up a conversation with two people wearing shirts for the band I had just seen. We chatted about how good the show was and which songs were our favorites until we reached my stop.

A person dressed as Spiderman plays the keyboard in front of a white and black tile wall.
Spider-Man spotted busking at a Tube station.

Whether talking with friends or strangers or just listening to a podcast and people-watching, my Tube travels are an unmistakable part of my life in London. I don’t mind minding the gap.

LJ stands in front of a blurred out field, wearing a denim jacket with several pins.

LJ Bachenheimer

Hometown: Roseland, New Jersey

Major: Sociology & Political Science

Program: UW in London

One goal I have for my study abroad experience is to gain the context, skills, and experiences to be a better international citizen by studying and working in a city as bustling and multicultural as London. I think it’s really cool that I’ll be able to gain practical skills and a more complete experience by working at a service internship in another country!