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Tips for young Yanks in London
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Exploring, dining and adventuring
Though London can be extremely expensive, many museums, clubs and concerts are cheap or free. Seek out an informative travel guide such as Rough Guide or the ubiquitous Lonely Planet to learn more about the city. Each Tuesday, purchase a Time Out London magazine to learn about exhibitions, festivals and free events.
As for food, on nights you’re not cooking for yourself, take advantage of the less costly options available in the city’s ethnic food offerings — Chinatown and Brick Lane (famous for its South Asian curry houses) are prime destinations for great food and a fun night out.
Ariel’s tip: “Venture beyond the West End, which is the most expensive area, and where you are least likely to meet any native Londoners.”
Micah’s tip: “When you arrive in London, make a list of places you want to see, and go about checking them off.”
Get a life!
London is filled with young people from around the world, all looking for experience and a good time.
For social support, a good place to begin is with people from work and from your London home. Be open-minded about meeting people, since they will be of all ages, types and backgrounds. Remember that while native Londoners may seem quite reserved, they are often happy to chat, especially in that most British of institutions, the pub, as well as in cafes.
Finally, be aware of what’s going on in the news, as it’s a key component of conversations, and take care to adjust to the differences between American and English speech — for example, pants versus trousers (in Britain, the former means “underwear,” and a verbal slip could be quite embarrassing!).
Ariel’s tip: “The more active you are, the more people you will meet. Don’t just wait for things, or people, to come to you!”
Micah’s tip: “The best conversations are those that are with people of different backgrounds and experiences.”
Last-minute stuff
For many young Americans, this type of trip will be their first solo journey abroad. That means a lot of planning and, inevitably, the final days before you travel will be hectic. But don’t overlook what might seem like small things — they could turn out to be fairly significant.
Plug adaptors: be aware that the British ones are different from the adaptors used on continental Europe.
Cell phone are inexpensive, so it is a good idea to invest in one, especially if you are meeting new friends and want to contact them — not to mention staying in touch with friends and family back home.
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Finally, always look right! Cars, buses and other vehicles have no mercy in London, and the sidewalks are narrow. If you’re having trouble remembering which way to look, just remember what you were taught as a child and look both ways before stepping into the street (right, left, right, in the UK)!
Ariel’s last words of advice: “This experience will no doubt be filled with moments of frustration and discomfort – but remember that even these tough times can prove to be rewarding in the long term.”
Micah’s last words of advice: “Enjoy yourself – take advantage of the fact that you’re having the experience of a lifetime.”
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