From an SMU student living in London

Want some great tips for how to make the most of your trip in London? Here is a list compiled by a former CCPA student who went on the SMU in London program a few years ago, and liked the city so much she enrolled at the London School of Economics where she is now studying. Jamie Corley recently sent this list of her favorite things to do/see and places to go in and around London. Can’t get much better advice than this:
Summer in London
Top Sights:
Trafalgar Square – to me, it represents London at its finest.
Covent Garden
Oxford Street…But don’t actually buy anything. You can get the same stuff in the U.S.
Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace
London Eye – so beautiful at night!
Parliament, 10 Downing Street
Westminster Abbey
St. Paul’s Cathedral. Try to climb to the very top and look out over London.
Piccadilly Circus
Tower of London

Markets:
Borough (for food)
Portobello/Notting Hill
Camden (visit Upper Street near Angel/Islington while you’re there)
Brick Lane. Famous for Indian Food.
Shoreditch.

Museums:
Victoria and Albert in Knightsbridge is my favorite.
Tate Modern
British Museum
National Gallery/Portrait Gallery in Trafalgar Square
Design Museum on the South Bank

Theatre:
Jersey Boys
Hairspray
Wicked
The Lion King

Sometimes if you go the day-of you can get cheap student tickets because they always want to fill seats.

Day Trips:
Bath
Brighton – you’ll feel like you’re in 19th century England, sitting seaside by the pier.
And bring your swimsuit and tanning stuff.
Cambridge
Windsor Castle & Eton
Oxford
Stonehenge – one of those things that you just have to do, but isn’t the best day trip.
Kew Gardens (can get there on the tube)
Wimbledon. If you want tickets, plan on lining up (“queing”) around 4am.

Travel:
Traveling around Europe from London is very easy and doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Paris – you can take the Eurostar Train. Takes about 2.5-3 hours.
For flights:
Easyjet.com
Ryanair.com
Skyscanner.net
For hostels:
Hostelworld.com

Parks:
Regents – take a row boat out on the lake.
Green Park
Hyde
Lincoln’s Inn – off Kingsway in Holborn. Nice if you want something not too crowded.
It also has great tennis courts.
Primrose Hill – Beautiful!

Clubs:
The club scene is 3 tiered
Very fancy/expensive:
Kitts, Tramp, Pangea
Expensive (20 pounds to get in, nice drinks) but fun. If you don’t have a table/on the list,
plan on lining up before 11pm.
Mahiki, China White, Funky Buddha, Kensington Roof Gardens
Student nights/cheap (these are really fun if you get a good group!)
Onanon, Tigertiger, Walkabout

Pubs/Bars:
Dirty Martini in Covent Garden has an amazing atmosphere for cocktails
Coal Hole. It’s the old coal cellar for the famous Savoy hotel. Located on the Strand.
White Hart on Drury Lane is the oldest licensed premises in London (next to where I
lived)
Ain’t Nothin’ But….one of the greatest Blues Bars in Soho. Bob Dylan stops by every
so often!
Anywhere near the Embankment Tube Station, near the Thames waterfront.
LVPO in Soho if you want to combine a quick drink with a club atmosphere

Restaurants:
Masala Zone – delicious, inexpensive Indian food.
Wagamamas
Wahaca or La Perla in Covent Garden. Just in case you’re craving Mexican food.
Automat – American style, used to be ‘the place’ to eat in Mayfair
Any pub/bar will serve food until around 9pm.
The best place to eat Fish and Chips is at Rock and Sole in Covent Garden. Cheap, hole-
in-the-wall place but very authentic.

Honestly, London isn’t known for its food, so don’t spend too much money on going out to dinner. That said, find a nice, local place that serves a cheap (usually 4 pounds) proper English Breakfast.

High Tea:
The Ritz (seriously overpriced)
Harrods
The Wolseley

From “1000 Things to do in London”…
93 Watch the penguins being fed at London Zoo Daily at 1:30pm
312 Play a board game in a pub
322 Tour the BBC. Private Group tours are free! (0870 603 0304)
522 Have a drink on the roof terrace at Gilgamesh www.gilgameshbar.com
881 Enjoy the arts outdoors in East London

Random tips:
- Do NOT bring any hair dryers, curling irons, straightners as they will blow up when you try to use them.
- Argos, an online catalog story, is the best place to buy appliances, towels, sheets, really anything. They will deliver next day.
- Carphone Warehouse is the best place to buy pay-as-you-go plans. Don’t get Virgin Mobile! I spent a fortune this year on minutes. Orange and T-Mobile are good, so I’ve heard.
- Buy an Oyster Card for the tube but learn the bus system. It’s much easier and you’ll need to use it after midnight.
- Helpful websites:
o www.viewlondon.co.uk
o www.beerintheevening.com
o www.timeout.com/london
o www.indielondon.co.uk
o tfl.gov.uk (for directions)

Finally, make an effort to meet people! London is one of the most international cities in the world. Take advantage of the many different types of people that are here and try to meet non-Americans. Student nights are great places to meet people. It will make your experience that much more fulfilling. –Jamie Corley

Welcome London 2008

Now in it’s 26th year, SMU in London is more than just a tradition, it’s a club. Hundreds of students have participated in the SMU in London program, and year after year many of those students touch base with me in late June, the traditional beginning of the program, just to acknowledge that they remember it as one of the highlights of their college years. Every year is a different experience, but always memorable, always special.

We’re just getting started, so check back at this site for program updates, to share links, and to exchange ideas and suggestions. Here you’ll also find links to Regent’s College, to the Blackboard site, to our Facebook site, and more.

We invite former SMU in London students to write posts on this blog offering advice about everything– classes, clubs, travel spots, shopping, pubbing, dorm tips, packing pointers, public transportation, etc.

Current London program students and faculty can throw in your questions and comments here, too.

Here’s to a great 08! –Nina

Back in the USSA

Welcome home, ya’ll. Hope you had a wonderful time in London and Greece. Now that you’re coming back down to earth, and while it’s fresh on your mind, please take a minute to share your experiences whilst in London and elsewhere abroad this summer. Share your journeys, tell stories, give advice to those who will follow you next year. You were a wonderful group. Your professors said you all put a lot of work into your classes.

Thanks for making London 2007 an incredible summer.

Cheers, Nina

Thank you Mr. Brazier

Students in the 2007 London program had the priviledge to tour London’s Houses of Parliament before attending a private talk with distinguished member of the House of Commons, Julian Brazier. After serving 20 years as a Conservative MP, Brazier has earned a reputation as one of the most respected and outspoken representatives of British government.

Brazier candidly discussed the current crisis in the Middle East, the end of Tony Blair’s term as Prime Minister and his hopes for Gordon Brown, and the recent terror attempts on London’s busy tourist areas and at the Glasgow Airport.

We thank you, Julian, for generously giving us time out of your very busy schedule.

Bye-Bye Blair

It’s 1:15 p.m. in London on 27 June, and we are in London watching the historical handover of power in England: Tony Blair just walked out of the door at 10 Downing St. before being whisked away in a limo bound for Buckingham Palace where he will have his last audience with the Queen. Next up, Gordon Brown takes over as Prime Minister. He’s on his way to Buckingham Palace where His Majesty the Queen will officially welcome him as the new government leader.

As this shift in political power in the UK takes place during the first week of our arrival, it’s turning out to be an interesting time for students in the SMU London program. It adds to the significance of our visit to Parliament next week, and will no doubt factor into the conversation we’ll have with Julian Brazier, an MP in the House of Commons.

Since students arrived last Friday we’ve been racing around from the double-decker bus tour, to the boat tour along the Thames, to Sunday services at St. Paul’s Cathedral, various walking tours throughout London, pub meetings, a field trip to the British Library and a visit to the British Museum, oh, and, of course, classes.

Our CCPA students have had the added challenge of starting their individual internships with international non-profit organizations (INGOs). Professor Kathy LaTour has managed to help 17 students find internships dealing with issues from gun control and women’s rights to climate control and children’s welfare. Dr. Craig Flournoy has his students reading newspapers, writing articles and visiting media sites across London. Dr. Sean Griffin is showing various British films and has added podcasting to his student’s activities. Professor Peter Noble has planned a number of advertising agency visits, journal activities among other projects. As always, London is our class lab, which means students incorporate free time with classwork.

Program assistant, Becky Hewitt is having a blast whilst juggling the zillions of details that go with the job. Liz Healy, TA for advertising and self-proclaimed “camp counselor” for 48 college students, is brewing lots of plans for student gatherings. I heard her mention organizing an 80’s Techno Prom. Huh? Okay. And me? I’m doing a little of everything and enjoying this great group.

Tonight we’re off to see “Sound of Music” in the West End. This weekend we’ll travel to Canterbury and to Ramsgate beach and harbor on the English Channel. We’ll go shopping in Portabello Market on Saturday morning, and Camden Town in the afternoon. We’ll hit Spitalfields market on Sunday, after church at Westminister Abbey. Some students are planning to travel to Paris, to Brighton Beach and to Ireland this weekend.

Lastly, we’ve launched a group on Facebook: SMU London 2007. Check out our trip photos thus far. Students are submitting their best shots for our program photo contest. Feel free to cast your vote on the best photo. We’ll give first, second and third-place prizes.

That’s all for now. Stay tuned.
–Nina

Adam’s tips

Welcome, 2007 London Group

You are now part of an SMU tradition that is more than 25 years old — SMU in London. Every year is different, so who knows what this summer will bring. We’re just getting plans off the ground, so check back for information. We’ll use this site to give you updates and links to sites of interest.

We invite former SMU in London students to blog the new group, offering advice about everything– classes, clubs, travel spots, shopping, pubbing, dorm tips, packing pointers, public transportation, etc.

Current London program students and faculty can throw in your questions and comments here, too.

Lots more to come, so stay tuned.
Cheers!

Our summer in London, 2006

Now that classes are over, please take a minute to put in your two cents about your experiences whilst in London and elsewhere abroad this summer. Recount your journeys, tell stories, provide cautionary tales, highlight the best and worst of it all. Feel free to comment on other blogs in addition to adding your bits. Remember, a blog is a conversation. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks again for being an awesome group!

Cheers, Nina

 

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Final Week

Can’t believe we’re in the last stretch. You have been a fabulous group–fun, hard working, game for just about anything, good sports in light of the hot weather and great travel companions. Thanks for making the program a success. It has been a pleasure spending the summer with you. And I look forward to many reunions when we return to Dallas.

–Cheers, Nina

Here’s what’s going on this week. 

Monday:

BBC’s African editor to speak in Pederson’s class.

Tea Party in the Garden behind the classroom building. Bring your tea cup! Sorry about the heat. Leave it to us to be here during a record-setting heat wave.

Thursday: Last day of classes.

Pack!!!

Friday: Final party.

Pack!

Saturday: Group flight (and others) depart. Check out of Reid Hall by 9:30. Turn in your key and get your deposit back. Gather with your luggage in the dorm lobby at 10 a.m. Flight leaves at 2:20 from Gatwick. Don’t be late.

Week 4

 Monday

Guest speakers: Coca-Cola European Union in Flournoy’s class; Sunday Times reporter in Pederson’s class. Field trip to Cabinet War Rooms in Kirk’s class.

Tuesday

Billy Elliott at 7:30 p.m. Meet in the main lobby at 6:00, leaving by 6:15.  Please be there early to get your ticket.  The play is at the Victoria Palace Theatre, on the north side of Victoria Street opposite Victoria Station.   Because we have to change tubes to get to Victoria Station, it will take a bit longer, so please be prompt.  We will take the Bakerloo line south to Oxford Circus, changing to the
Victoria line to Victoria Station. 

Wednesday

The CCPA/Journalism students will go to
Cambridge on Wednesday.  Meet in the main lobby at 9:00 a.m., headed on the Circle Line to Kings Cross.  A train for
Cambridge leaves at 9:45 a.m.

Thursday Prof. Pederson has rescheduled the BBC tour.  Please see him for specific information about the tour.  

The Weekend

Remember that we need to know your travel plans for the weekend.  You MUST fill out a travel form before you leave.  Please go ahead and get that done early in the week so you don’t run out of time to turn it in.  If one of the faculty is not around to take the form, please leave it either in the office or in the bin with the blank forms outside the office door.