England: Annelise Eichholz (Interact)
Program: UW Global Launch in London, Academic Year
My first few weeks in London have been a blur. It feels like I arrived yesterday, and yet I have already lived here for four weeks. One of my favorite parts about my time so far has been getting to know my neighborhood, the gorgeous Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. In order to get to familiarize myself with the area, I registered for a walking tour of Kensington through the FIE activities calendar. It took place on a sunny Sunday morning and lasted for about two hours. The group was a small one, made up of our tour guide Stephanie and three girl students. The size of our group made the tour feel more intimate and casual, which I enjoyed.
Stephanie took us past some of the most notable sites in Kensington, including the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gardens, and High Street Kensington. She walked us through a famer’s market, showed us the local library, and gave us local restaurant recommendations. We also strolled through some of the quieter, more residential parts of the area. This was my favorite part of the tour. The beautiful architecture of the homes combined with the peacefulness of the neighborhood makes the area one of the loveliest places I have ever visited. I am dumbfounded that I get to live here-I am truly blessed. I also gained confidence for navigating the area by myself. Thanks to my tour, I am starting to feel more like a local here. Even so, there is still so much left of Kensington to explore, and I can’t wait to see all of it!
Annelise Eichholz
Program Name: UW Global Launch in London
Major: International Studies
Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
As I hope to pursue international studies as a major and a career in the international field, I hope that studying abroad in London will greatly grow my perspective on global issues and increase my understanding of how to get involved professionally. Even though I won’t be taking major-specific courses while abroad, I believe that my experiences will help lay the groundwork for future success in my field of study.
While there are so many aspects of studying abroad in London that excite me, I am most looking forward to immersing myself in the culture of the United Kingdom. Whether it’s through taking advantage of the experiential learning opportunities, traveling in my free time, or just going about my daily life in Kensington, I want to experience all of the richness London has to offer.