Don’t Forget to Mind the Gap: Exploring London with CEA CAPA

I'm thrilled to highlight some of the study abroad activities and opportunities that CEA CAPA offered us throughout my first week of study and internship abroad program. I’ve been in London for a week and am already in love with this city. It has so many things to explore and I love all the options for study abroad excursions. 

CEA CAPA Study Abroad Excursions

Borough Market

CEA CAPA provided us with several fun activities that immerse us in London. One opportunity was to go to Borough Market and get amazing food. There were many vendors there, and some sold lavender. My flatmates and I ate an authentic British breakfast with baked beans, toast, sausage, bacon, tomato, and mushroom. It was quite different but a good breakfast.  

I had the best strawberries with chocolate at Borough Market. These chocolate strawberries are so popular on TikTok, and my roommates and I knew that we had to try them. The strawberries were probably the best I’ve ever had.  

Elizabeth Tower

This is the Elizabeth Tower—Big Ben is the bell inside of it. We drove past the Elizabeth Tower in Westminster and got a great view while learning more about its history.  

Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge, which is often easily confused for London Bridge, is a super popular tourist attraction. It’s beautiful and large with intricate architecture. Tower Bridge is consistently very busy with people, so if you want to get some good pictures, go early!  

Leadenhall Market

On the second day of classes, CEA CAPA hosted a pizza party at the Center’s lounge on the lower level. This was a good place to make further connections with other students and the CEA CAPA faculty. We also had a travel fair at the Center’s lounge, where we could learn more about some traveling opportunities. 

CEA CAPA also had a certified tour guide take us on a walking tour through our neighborhood and show us amazing restaurants, cafés, and stores in the area. On our walk throughout London our guide also pointed out filming spots for Harry Potter!  We made our way over to the Tower of London, where we got ice cream and hopped on a coach bus with air conditioning to the main attractions. This included the Elizabeth Tower (more well known as Big Ben), St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, and (not pictured) Buckingham Palace. On our tours of each of these monumental places, we learned a lot of history of London.  

A little walking tour around London! On this tour, we saw many wonderful buildings and architecture, and some beautiful churches and cathedrals.  

Fresh Lavender

Nothing better than fresh lavender. The smell of lavender at this vendor was immaculate. It readily relaxes you.  

Afternoon British Tea

 

We also attended a formal afternoon tea at a hotel, with scones, sandwiches, cakes, and, of course, tea. We learned about British customs when it comes to tea, biscuits, scones, and sandwiches. We learned that you must first go for more savory food such as the sandwich or scones, and then later have the sweet biscuit or pastries. We of course had tea and coffee and were taught the proper British way of drinking tea.  

 

 

Little sandwiches and scones are a must for afternoon tea! These were a great afternoon snack after having a busy day with many orientation sessions.  

 

St. Paul's Cathedral

 

 

St Paul's Cathedral, the same place where Diana became a princess. Diana had her wedding here, marrying Prince Charles.  

 

CEA CAPA gives us so many opportunities to see as much as possible while studying abroad in London. These excursions are some of my favorite parts of studying abroad so far. They allow us to meet new people and broaden our horizons. So far, my favorite experience was our walking and bus tour. I plan to sign up for as many of CEA CAPA’s activities and excursions as possible. I highly recommend participating in as many experiences as you can while studying abroad. You'll only study abroad once, so I feel like you must make the most of it. Going forward, to immerse myself more in the culture here I plan to eat local cuisine abroad and attend as many activities as possible. Also, I’m immersed in London’s work culture as an intern abroad. CEA CAPA London offers the best and the most exciting activities!