As anyone who has even remotely interacted with me on social media knows, I've been in London for the last week and a half studying abroad. It's been a thrilling experience, and as much as I used to glorify the city and its country, I've become even more enamored since I got here. Here are ten reasons why the U.K. is definitely better than the U.S.
1. It's more eco-friendly.
Everywhere I've been in London, there are recycling bins. Point #2 means there are fewer cars on the road, which is always an environmental benefit. The university at which I'm studying hosts their own chickens (for eggs, not meat) and vegetable gardens. The buses and cars are required to turn their engines off when they're loitering for longer than a few moments. The care about the environment is everywhere, and it's beautiful!
2. Public transportation is amazing.
Other cities in the U.S. may be different, but based on my own experience (and that of the New Yorkers on this trip with me), public transit in the States is lacking, inaccessible and inefficient in many cases. Getting around London and beyond is incredibly easy using the city's plethora of buses, trains, and underground stations.
3. A long, rich, diverse history.
Although it may not be a pretty history (read: centuries of violent colonization and imperialism), it's still there. The U.S. is under 250 years old, whereas the U.K. has been established for centuries, and has historical evidence to prove it. The architecture looks and feels old, and you can wander past buildings that have existed for hundreds of years. It's breathtaking.
4. You can travel to other countries faster than you can get from city to city in the States.
A train to Scotland is only four hours, whereas it takes me nearly four and a half to get from my house to my university. And that's just within the bounds of the U.K. Even getting to mainland Europe takes around four to six hours. How amazing?
5. The accents make everything sound prestigious.
My love of the British accent has yet to decrease since I've been here. No matter what they're talking about, the inflection of a British accent automatically makes things seem classier. This is science.
6. They have a royal family, and they're amazing.
Yes, I know it's an antiquated tradition and that it's a call back to their roles as imperial powers, and I know it's absurd for me to be obsessed with them, but c'mon. Kate Middleton is every girl's dream, and no one can tell me otherwise.
7. It's the birthplace of Harry Potter.
JK Rowling came up with the plot for "Harry Potter" while waiting for a train here. The Warner Bros. Studio Tour is here. London was the site for many filming sets, and it's the backdrop upon which the entire storyline is predicated. This is practically holy ground.
8. Shakespeare's theatre and his plays, are preserved there.
The Globe theatre not only still exists, but it is still operating. I've purchased tickets to go see "Twelfth Night" while I'm here, and there are a plethora of plays put on all year round, immortalizing Shakespeare and his work in his most quintessential locale. Considered one of the greatest artists and crafters of literature of all time, this is an incredible opportunity that simply isn't found in the States.
