My name is Katie Rice, and I am in London! I have to keep repeating it to myself, to assure myself it’s true. I’m here with the Hendrix-in-London program, and I couldn’t be more excited.
It’s odd to feel so giddy, because I’ve been country-hopping for the last five weeks. After a hot and helado-ful July studying with the Hendrix-in-Madrid program, I bought myself a rail pass and toured through seventeen cities in six countries.
To see an album of the best photos, click here. (It’s small, I promise, and I made it just for you!)
I moved into my flat here a little over a week ago, on Saturday, and the first few days were dedicated to the sweet drudgery of buying groceries and unpacking. I slowly adjusted to hearing English again, and to watching the cars drive on the wrong side of the road.
My one-room apartment is spacious (by student standards) and very near several nice parks. It's in the literary/intellectual Bloomsbury district. Bob Marley lived just south of my apartment, and Charles Darwin lived just north. I like to think my fellow Hendrix-in-Londoners and I will continue the tradition of greatness.
Although it was great to unpack, the real fun started after everyone got settled in and adjusted to the time difference. Tuesday morning we hit the nearby British Museum early for a two-hour visit before class started. Since then I've visited three other museums and a photo exhibition, walked to the Thames River twice, seen a musical, and watched the U.S. rugby team get stomped by England. This morning my classmates and I went to the enormous St. Paul's Cathedral for mass!
My classes are just as exciting. I'm taking British Life and Culture, British Art and Architecture, Shakespeare, and Views of the U.S. in Anglo-European History, Literature, and Media. (That was four classes, for those who had trouble counting. The last one is a bit of a mouthful.)
The first three are taught in three-hour blocks once a week, so that we can go on field trips! Coming up this week: visits to the National Gallery, the Belgrave police station, the Globe theatre, and a day-trip to Brighton. Whew! I have to stop and remind myself that this is school!
Throughout the semester, I’ll be keeping you updated on my classes and social life here in London. I’ll let you know, too, if I meet any cute Brits. Til then, cheers!