Any Planet members have London experience?
 

I am planning on studying abroad in London at some point next year for a semester. Anyone visited or been? What was it like for you?

Donger might...

The food is a cultural shock.

Check out the canals.

Ya I know thats gonna be very different...whats it like?

Food sucks. Pubs close early. Going out to clubs is expensive. British chicks dig Americans, provided that you aren't a typical "arrogant" American. Try to act sensitive and talk bad about our government a lot. It's the secret to getting layed overseas.;)

Neither the food nor the culture should be too shocking.

It's a big urban area that sprawls all over. Think New York with slightly nicer people (though they may be less receptive to Americans right now) and British accents. Prepare to make friends with the Underground as you travel throughout the city.

You'll find plenty of nightlife whether you prefer clubs or pubs.

And plenty of touristy stuff to do too. I suggest:

Tower of London
British Museum
British Library
Globe Theatre
Wimbledon

I'd guess you will also do day trips to Stonehenge, Oxford, Bathe, and Stratford-upon-Avon.

I also suggest you take advantage of weekends and see other parts of Europe. Sure. You're a student and it costs $ to travel, but you'll likely never be as free to see the many sights of Europe as you will be now.

Enjoy!

--Infidel Goat

I used to date a Jill London in college. That was SOME EXPERIENCE!! :p

Nice, thanks for the heads up...I am very excited.

That's better than London Fletcher, I guess . . .

Mind the Gap!

--Infidel Goat

Gimme a break! Your'e not going to study, your going to see Stamford Bridge. :)

I wil prob try to catch game in a few places...

Well then, you'll have to go to Highbury to see a real team play. ROFL

You go to hell! You go to hell and you die!

Do you plan to become fluent in the language?

That would seem to be the biggest roadblock to fully enjoying your visit.

Stationed two years in England, spent time in London.

First Pubs no longer close early; also you can find some great food and some lousy food, just like any big city.

Of all the places in England London is not one of my favorites, to big and more foreigners than English.

Having said that, I have had some great times in London, the pubs and club scene is top notch.
The Marquee Club is a great joint, anyone who is anyone started at the Marquee Club. The best bet is to pick up one or more of the entertainment papers and see what is happening.

The best way to get around London is to take the tubes, take your time to learn the system and you can get anywhere reasonably inexpensively.

As you are going to be there for a while, do the tourist stuff first to get it out of the way; i.e. ride the double Decker tour bus around London, go see the Mouse Trap, the London Zoo that kind of thing.

Then start looking for the places that the locals go to, and most importantly get the hell out of London, if you are there over the new years, get your butt up to Scotland, they throw the best new years bash in the known universe.

Oh and be polite, don't harp on how we do things bigger and better in the States, remember what your mom taught you, if you can't say something nice keep your mouth shut.