Around the World with WU: Study Abroad Postcard from London

If you had told me I would be hopping on a flight to Europe in spring 2026, I would have thought you had mistaken me for someone else. Seeing the worn cobblestones of London, the starry cafes of Paris and the sprawling canals of Amsterdam was not something I thought possible at this stage in my life. However, when your university announces a guided 10-day European journey to the cities that have filled your imagination since middle school, you have to jump at the chance.

Our traveling crew consisted of about 10 students, along with alumni and friends of the university. It was a diverse group of varying ages, majors, careers and interests. Together, we stepped onto our flight, eager to experience everything 10 days would allow. London awaited us first.

Our first day was a whirlwind. Very few of us had slept on the plane, but we still had a full day of sightseeing ahead. I grabbed a macchiato — very different from those you would find in the United States — and set off into the city. We saw The Strand, Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden, all impressive and famous London locations. Or, maybe just as significant, at least to this writer, were a double-decker bus, Harrods department store and Cecil Court, which inspired Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter series.

We then enjoyed a traditional dinner of fish and chips, and with every bite of dessert, it became increasingly difficult to justify why I had not already moved to London. Before heading back to our hotel, we toured the National Gallery and saw works by Claude Monet and Vincent van Gogh.

The next day was just as eventful. Our bus dropped us at various locations around the city, and we were guided to Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Piccadilly Circus, St. Paul’s Cathedral and Buckingham Palace. These locations were among the most beautiful places I had ever seen, artfully designed and skillfully constructed to withstand the test of time.

We journeyed outside the city for the afternoon to see the glittering State Apartments of Windsor Castle and the somber halls of St. George’s Chapel, the final resting place of many British monarchs, including King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth II.

Once back in the city center, I explored London’s Chinatown and Soho, enjoying various foods and desserts while lanterns hung overhead and singing filled the streets. The most challenging part of the day was trying to navigate the London Underground and return to the hotel. To make the task even more difficult, the Piccadilly Line, one of the routes for the Tube, was completely closed during our stay. Nevertheless, with the help of Citymapper and a very kind stranger, I reached the hotel, still replaying the day’s memories.

During our last day in London, our group had free time to break into smaller groups and explore places of interest. I started by visiting King’s Cross Station, a major railway hub and the filming location for Platform 9 3/4 and other scenes from the Harry Potter movies. Is it obvious yet that I love that series?

Next, I visited Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, the latter of which was built in the 1070s and houses the Crown Jewels. After a hearty lunch of Sunday roast — the only acceptable choice for a cloudy Sunday in London — I revisited Big Ben, Westminster Bridge and the London Eye.

To top off the evening, I watched the sunset from Sky Garden, a 37-story skyscraper with restaurants and London’s highest public garden, offering gorgeous 360-degree views of the city.

History and learning truly came alive during my stay in London. From ancient walls that witnessed great rulers and wars to modern skyscrapers and filming locations from popular movies, London’s history is rich, and notable sites can be found on nearly every corner.

The best part of traveling is that it gives us the opportunity to consider a world outside the familiar. It broadens our perspectives and reminds us that the routine that seems normal to us is not the only way to live. Other cultures, although shaped through vastly different methods and experiences, work toward many of the same goals valued in our hometowns.

I had already seen so much, but we still had two more cities on our itinerary, and London was only the beginning.