Student Reports: Engineering in London, 2014
A Picture Perfect Sunday
Engineering students visit Westminster Abbey in London during study abroad in the summer of 2014.
Built in the tenth century, Westminster Abbey is the official Church of England. It is the site of all coronations and many royal weddings, including the most recent wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Not only is it a site of royal spectacle, but it also has a regular Sunday church service.
On our second weekend in London, Dr. Michael W. Berry invited us to attend church service with him at Westminster Abbey. Five of us decided to join him at Westminster. We entered and were instantly memorized by the gothic architecture, art, and history unlike any other cathedral. Buried before us were historical figures such as Sir Isaac Newton, Queen Elizabeth I, and many others. The church used no microphone and the sermon was delivered solely by acoustics. It was amazing to experience such a rich part of English history and culture.
After the service was over we went to the Cellarium Café attached to Westminster for high tea. We had both English breakfast tea and Earl Grey tea with milk and sugar. Along with our tea we had scones, finger sandwiches, and other various cakes. Church and tea were two lovely ways we were able to experience English traditions.
-Kristen Miranda
Engineering students enjoy an English breakfast tea during study abroad in London.
The Cliffs of Dover
After a week of hard work studying circuits and learning about the origins of computation, some of us took a day trip to the spectacular Cliffs of Dover. We left early that morning from London, ensuring we had plenty of time to explore the cliffs and town. We ended up finding an “alternate” route to walk along the cliffs, free of many other hikers. As we ventured along the cliff face we noticed that the shoreline of France was visible! The green fields and ocean view from the top were truly amazing.
That afternoon we headed back to town and visited Dover Castle. Just some of the many sights included secret tunnels used in war, an extremely old church, and medieval weaponry. Out of the castles I had seen in London, this was one of my favorites. Finally, that night we took it easy and ate at a pub before heading back to London. The White Cliffs of Dover was easily my favorite site to see during my trip to London.
-Gabriel Hanas
A Night in Southbank
After a busy week of classes, museums, and rushing around sightseeing in London, some of us decided it was time to unwind for the weekend. After a short ride on the London Underground, we found ourselves in Southbank along the southern side of the River Thames in the heart of London.
Walking by the river we saw street performers of all kinds, shimmering lights hanging from the trees along the path, and a huge number of small alleyways and squares filled with all kinds of unique restaurants, musical entertainment, and local artwork. It was obvious that this was the place to be on the weekend if you were a young person in London.
Continuing our journey, we stopped for something to drink and sat to watch the London Eye, lit up a deep blue, slowly turn in the night sky as Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, lit up bright green, stood in the background. The lights of the beautiful cityscape before us danced on the water of the Thames as boats playing music passed up and down the river.
If there was any moment on this trip that I had to choose as the most picturesque, it surely must have been this one. It will be a night I always remember.
-Caleb Williamson
Harry Potter Studio Tour
One of the final field trips we went on as a group was to the Harry Potter Studio Tour and was easily my favorite thing I did in London. As a self proclaimed Potterhead, I could not contain my excitement as we hopped on the bus to reach the studio. After a short bus ride we found ourselves in front of the studio and from that moment on I was 11 and had just received my letter to Hogwarts. I entered the building and saw my childhood, and a good part of my adolescence, alive and real in front of me. I cannot begin to describe the emotion that overtook me all day.
It all started when Rupert, Emma, and Daniel welcomed us to the Great Hall and I stood where they had stood for all those years, for all the feasts and the battles and the tests. I was immediately told “I’ve got my eye on you” by the staff after they noticed my Slytherin T-shirt and unabashed pride, and the Hogwarts experience just got richer with every step through Diagon Alley and sip of Butterbeer. The experience as a whole though can truly be summed up in one singular moment.
The moment I saw Hogwarts. As I walked into the room the lights dimmed and there she was, Hogwarts, in all her beauty. I’m not going to lie: I cried. I spent 30 minutes sitting on a bench and just staring at the model and taking in every deatial, every twinkle of light. Harry Potter means so much to me as a person. Harry Potter is why I am an engineer, its why I love learning, its why I’m not ashamed to love going to the library. Hermione Granger is the best role model I had as a child and I cannot thank JK Rowling enough for her.
-Katherine Stamper
