My recent Study Abroad experience in London at the London School of Economics was nothing less than extraordinary. The overall experience was positive and the intellectual environment of LSE was stimulating and impressive. London itself is a magnificent city with many attractions. However, more magnificent was the cultural environment in London and the aura of relaxed urgency I experienced there.

London School of Economics is a phenomenal educational institution. From my first day of classes, I understood that simple fact. It is ranked in the top five educational universities across the globe for economics and as I entered I experienced this first-hand. The teaching style in both lecture and seminar classes is very straight to the point and matter of fact. In my summer course, we were tasked with fitting over five months of educational content into three weeks. Although it was intensive, the Professors were always there to lend their hand to support while also providing additional feedback. The professors there were all leading experts in the field. One of the professors who taught the class I took had written a paper a few years back that I cited for a different economics course at my home university in New York. It was both interesting and humbling to learn from the best of the best in the discipline while also engaging in new concepts and ideas that were being challenged at that moment. The campus itself was also astounding in that it was divided between 30 buildings in a very close-knit part of London adjacent to the Royal Courts of Justice.

London itself is basically a fusion of Manhattan and Queens. Under the supervision of Mayor Sadiq Khan, London is a clean city with a booming economy and a robust social life. During the day the citizens are hard at work both in their jobs and at school and at night, pub life reigns supreme. Every night there are events at every pub and restaurant throughout the city and there is always something to do. Alcohol is not a social taboo and is consumed in moderate quantities no matter where you go. Even the professors take their undergraduate students out for drinks after a few weeks of classes. Although there is an aura of hard work there also exists a very relaxed atmosphere that is inviting while also boisterous. I briefly experienced Pride in London and the parades during Saturday night were a sight to behold.

The city was alight with great vibes, good times and quite a bit of reckless shenanigans. I would definitely recommend it as a vacation spot to anyone interested.