While studying abroad in London, England, I commuted for about an hour and a half a day. I was traveling from Kentish Town to Kensington, so for those who know London, from zone two to zone one. Although the commute may seem tiresome, for those 45 minutes, I had each way became some of my favorite times. 

This is a photo of a group of friends and I commuting to class together on the first day.  

At each London tube station there are easy to navigate maps showing you the different tube routes. 

I was living and studying with a large group of other CEA CAPA students from my university, so it was fun having a group of friends to commute with every day. On some mornings, our commute was filled with chatter as we walked to the tube but on other mornings, we all peacefully walked together listening to music on our separate headphones. Commuting was such a great way to become immersed in London culture and to see different parts of the city.  

A group of friends and I on the way to class one morning.  

This is a photo of an iconic bridge by the Camden Lock Market, where I would regularly go after class.

In London, the average daily commute is between 30-60 minutes, so commuting every day made me and the other students feel like true Londoners. In the afternoon, the commute was a great way for me to go out and see the city. I had to transfer lines in the city center when commuting, so in the afternoons, I would get off the tube and go explore London and all it had to offer.  

A photo of a friend on our daily commute in London. 

The beautiful Christmas lights throughout London on my commute. 

After classes, my friends and I would often go to Chinatown, which was along our commute or spend time in Leicester Square. We also took the train every day from Camden Town, so often before or after classes, we would stop and do some shopping or grab a bite to eat. London has so many different areas and neighborhoods so it can be intimidating to go outside your neighborhood.  

A photo of me and my friends along our commute.  

This photo was taken in Chinatown, after a long day of classes my friends and I went and got dinner here.

Commuting every day gave me the confidence and opportunity to visit different neighborhoods and explore the city. The ritual of doing the commute every day in the morning provided me with a stable routine that I appreciated greatly, and I loved both the neighborhood I lived in and the neighborhood I studied in. Thinking back, I am so glad I had the commute in London that I did.  

A friend and I at the Camden Lock Market one day after classes.  

A photo taken along my commute every day.  

This post was written by Finnoula Bray, a CEA CAPA Alumni Ambassador from the University of Massachusetts, who studied abroad in London, England.