Student Bloggers

Over the past two weeks I have been able to live out my childhood dreams thanks to the amazing place I have the opportunity to study in! London is full of opportunities for everyone and can help make any type of dreams come true. For me specifically London has given me the chance to live out things I have only dreamed of when I was young. From Harry Potter, a circus class, and the Olympics, London has SO much to offer.

Firstly, if you are a Harry Potter fan, London is a must see! Besides having Platform 9 and ¾ in King’s Cross Station, Harry Potter Studios Tour is also in London and it is wonderful. When you first get there you are shocked by how big Warner Brothers Studio’s actually is and that two full studio lots are dedicated to the Harry Potter Tour. Once inside you are greeted by staff, get checked in, and wait for the magic to begin. Finally as you wait on line you come face to face with the cupboard under the stairs. Continuing on with the tour you are brought into a room where they show you just how the magic of the Studio was created. Finally the screen lifts up and the Great Hall Doors are there right in front on you. Once they open it is like you are right inside the world of Harry Potter.

The tour consisted of costumes, props, sets, mystical creatures, and so much more from all eight movies. There were interactive places where you could go ride a broomstick in front of a green screen and get your picture taken in a Hogwarts robe. For those of us who wanted to practice with wands, there was even a tutorial location with help from on the spot staff and videos from actors giving tips as well. It was so incredible to be able to experience such a big part of my childhood, especially when the time came to try Butterbeer (which was so good)!

After that amazing day I did not know what else could beat it, until I went to the circus class I signed up for at the very beginning of being here. Right across the street from my accommodations is the National Center for Circus Arts! When I was little all I wanted to do was be a gymnast either in the Olympics or in a circus. This class was able to help me achieve my dream even if it was just for a day. In the class we got to learn how to juggle, walk on the tightrope, do partner work that included being a flyer, and most importantly the flying trapeze. It was everything I dreamed of and more! I really wish I could go back and do more activities there as it really was an incredible experience.

As soon as my class was over I met up with my friend Brittanie who came to visit for a few days from Oxford. I was so happy that she came into visit as I have not seen her since last year as she is studying at Oxford for an entire year! From meeting up with the preview students, going to toy stores, and Queen Elizabeth’s Olympic Park it was an amazing few fun filled days. On her last day here when we went to Queen Elizabeth’s Olympic Park we had our eyes set on finding one thing, the Olympic Rings! Even though it took us a while to find them, it was so worth it! Right there and then I got to do something I always wanted to do, perform in front of those rings! For any Olympic fan going to the park is a must see!

Living in London really has made me gain so many lifelong memories that I know once my program is over I will be begging to come back here just like last time. I knew that when I left London after my FYSAE experience I was going to find a way to come back, and I did. Now I know that it will happen again and more amazing memories will be made here in the future!