I have never been happier than when I was in London. From seeing plays every week to visiting museums around the city to trying new restaurants, there was never a shortage of new experiences. I went to the British Museum nearly every week, exploring a different section every time; I went shopping in Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden, Spitalfields Market; I visited Notting Hill. Most importantly, living at the Pickwick and spending time as a group helped forge some of my closest Carleton connections. Though I started the term with acquaintances and virtual strangers, through bonding over memorable moments from plays, watching movies together in our rooms, and making fun of Henry VIII, I left with lifelong friendships. Choosing to study abroad in London was the single best decision I’ve ever made.

— Rebby Lee ‘21

I never saw myself visiting the theater, let alone visiting one in London, but from our first show and onward, I was hooked. I remember sitting in the stands of my first show and becoming so overcome with emotion that I had to hold back my tears (the show was Fairview, if anyone is curious). We all talked about the show for hours afterwards. It was that amazing. Every show I saw in London after that was just as wonderful at showing how art, diverse storytelling, and performance can combine to create a magical experience. While you have your classics like Shakespeare (always innovating so be on the lookout for weird, unique, and questionable changes), there are also many other shows that take pains to share relevant and interesting stories.  

— Jenni Diaz Garcia ’22

I started the London program madly giggling while hauling my roommates’ heavy suitcases all the way up the 3 flights of (very steep) stairs, having truly just met them the term before and never really talked. We spent the night rearranging our room, because it was a double with three people stuffed into it – I, being the only sophomore, ended up with what we affectionately called “sink bed,” or the bed where the water from the sink in the room (pictured below) splashed onto my pillow every time someone washed their hands. Mostly, I remember laughter, riding around on big red buses thinking “I never ever want to leave,” falling a little bit more in love with theater with every play we watched, and waking up every day excited about conversations to be had, adventures to begin, and books to buy.

— Julia Johnston ‘22

London bested Northfield by a million. If the opportunity to live in London doesn’t sway you, at least consider the joy of being away from Northfield for a term and getting to eat real, good, delicious, city food. 

— Octavia Washington ‘22

Living in London for ten weeks was one of the most amazing and important experiences I’ve had. I don’t think I’ve ever made as many friends as quickly as I did on this program, and I can’t even imagine where I would be right now if I hadn’t met all of them. I don’t have the words to describe how much I loved the London program, but maybe the closest I can get is to say that I’ll probably always be sad I’m not still there.

— Josephine Berlage ’21

The London program was not only where I got to meet some of my very best friends at Carleton, but where I got to make some of my most treasured memories of my time at college. I could gush endlessly and earnestly about it: London itself, old castles and new theaters, book fairs by the Thames and chips with friends, but other people have said all of that already. So just consider this: winter is going to arrive. When it does, you can either be in Northfield, freezing as you make your way to Sayles in a blizzard, or you can be in London, grabbing dinner with friends before an evening performance at the National Theater. Up to you.

— Madeline Goldberg ‘22