London Life

When I first arrived in London I was nervous about change. I expected nothing to be the same; the atmosphere to be drastically different. As I first stepped into what was to become my home for the next four months, I found that my immediate inclinations were true, but not necessarily for the worst. 

NIDO King's Cross

NIDO stands out among the London skyline like a sore thumb. Compared to the old-English style buildings that surround it, NIDO, my dorm, is the only modern architecture in the midst of this classic city. Its blue and green walls reach sixteen stories in the air and overreach our other vertically challenged neighbors. Stepping into my room, I am immediately overcome with the feeling that in New York we students living on campus are a little spoiled. Compared to my old apartment, my new dorm could fit in my old bedroom! This condensed space manages to fit two twin beds, two decent sized desks with matching rolling chairs, two tiny closets, and a bathroom that was clearly meant to be on a boat (For those of you who have had the "pleasure" of being confined to a boats restroom, you will find similarities to its size and the size of my NIDO bathroom, it being so narrow that it can only be meant for a small sized vessel!) Even with all this complaining of the size, it has somehow grown on me. The size might be difficult but it is by no means unbearable and actually "cozy" after a while. 

NIDO, being the first of dormitory living here in London, has been kind enough to equip the residents with some extra comforts. On the second floor you can find many students regularly visiting our cafe. This two story section of the building is made a student lounge equipped with numerous flat screen tvs, lounge chairs, pool tables, and an actual cafe with staff at hand to make you some hot tea or waffles whenever your heart desires it (at least, anytime before eleven at night!).

When not confined to my room or the cafe, I find myself walking to class. Situated a twenty five minute walk from campus it is much easier and cost efficient to walk. Sure the public bus system works and so does the underground, but as struggling students, walking is the answer. Four days a week, I make my way to University of London. I pass by the infamous King's Cross station (also known as the station where platform 9 3/4 is found, and yes, I can see it from my bedroom!) and the British Library. When I get to campus, my main building is off of Bedford Square. An old Georgian house has been converted into the NYU in London academic center. Having class in this building includes sitting in elegantly furnished rooms and if your lucky underneath a gold chandelier! 

One of the main worries a student faces when making the decision to study abroad is the difficultly with money. It is evident that currency exchange is difficult and many times leads to spending more than you are aware. That definitely goes for London. With the pound dominating the US dollar many of the everyday expenses that we make in New York  are extravagant here in London. So we learn to watch our money!

Even with all of the challenges that come from everyday life here in London it has thus far been an exciting ride and one that I am not ready to give up!