UK – Kimberley
Student: Kimberly
Course: Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Psychological Science
Program: Short-term exchange T2 2025
It was an amazing feeling to wake up in London, with endless possibilities for the day ahead. Honestly, I felt like a child again, springing out of bed and beaming about upcoming adventures to be had. I tried to make the most of everyday and as exhausting as they may sound, it was incredibly energising to immerse myself in the experience.
What were some of the differences you observed to Australia when you arrived?
The first time I saw the London Tube network map, I almost cried, but trust me, if you’re going to London, the CityMapper app will be your personal lifesaver. Key in your current location and your target destination, and it shows you multiple ways to get there, including travel duration, fees, any delays, relevant platform information, and more. With the CityMapper app, the public transport (particularly the train system) was so easy to navigate, and we were able to travel anywhere from London’s dazzling theatre district in West End, to Notting Hill’s Portobello Road Market.
Describe a normal day in your life overseas: your university, your work placement or your study tour?
Classes only ran for a few hours during the morning from Monday to Thursday, which meant we had tons of time after class and during weekends to ourselves. After class on a few occasions, we walked to Richmond Park and saw the deer and the ponds there. The perfect spot for a picnic too. It was also lovely to catch some greenery and explore the famous Hyde Park. In the city we also saw theatre plays, visited both the British Museum and the Natural History Museum (both free entry), and danced the night away at a karaoke place!
One of my highlights was strolling along the Southbank, with my delicious hazelnut frozen yoghurt from Snog (a popup along the Southbank), enjoying the sights of Big Ben’s warm lights reflecting on the River Thames. The Thames itself stretches a long distance through London, and you can explore it on UberBoat for affordable prices. It was refreshing to sit outside on a sunny day, catching the breeze as we travelled down the Thames on the boat, taking in all the iconic sights from a different perspective.
How did you decide which study abroad opportunity to do?
I decided to do the short-term learning program (Summer School) – as much as I love travelling, I’m also a bit of a homebody and I didn’t want to be abroad for too long. I chose London to study at because growing up it was always this far away location home to the wonderful stories of Harry Potter, Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie. It was really exciting to have the opportunity to experience this magical place myself. The historic and cultural significance of London also drew me in, and by the end of the program’s three weeks, I found myself wishing it were longer! I arrived in London uncertain of how I’d be able to cope ‘on my own’ away from home, but I left feeling empowered by my newfound independence and curiosity.
What's your one piece of advice for a student who is preparing to study abroad? How should they prepare?
For students preparing to study abroad I would highly recommend you prepare by organising all your necessary documents into a folder to take with you. Moreover, make copies of your documents for your family and complete the steps of your application early on to stay on track.
Also, make the most of every opportunity – and don’t just wait for them to present themselves to you. Get out there and create them yourself! Remember this is your study abroad experience, and you deserve to have an incredible time and see and do the things that interest you. Through creating your own opportunities, you can also invite others to join and make some lasting memories together.
Also, if you’re preparing to study during summer, prepare for heat. I wasn’t expecting it to be too hot considering all the rainy stereotypes of England, however, we not only had warm 30-degree days, but also humidity along with it. Many London buildings (including our university dorm) don’t have air conditioning or fans, so prepare yourself for that and bring some cooler clothes. Many of my friends bought portable fans to assemble from the local supermarket. In the last few days of the trip, the weather cooled a bit and we had some rain, so make sure you pack for all seasons!