I knew I would spend a year abroad at the London School of Economics (LSE) since my first day of freshman year. It was perfect for me. I get to travel all across Europe for a whole year and get to know London properly. Additionally, LSE is one of the best universities out there for my subjects (Economics and Math), and it would definitely be great academic exposure for me too. Hence, LSE spells out my study abroad goals: London familiarization, Sightseeing across Europe and Economics-based academia.
It is important that I stay on my toes at all times to achieve these goals. One year might seem like a long time, but it could still not be enough if I want to achieve all of these thoroughly. I am lucky that there are a lot of people I already know in London (including my roommate from Northeastern since freshman year!), and I’m excited to meet many similar-minded people doing the same study abroad program as me at LSE. GEO has been incredibly supportive in providing me with the list of all the other Huskies who will be in London at the same time as me; I found out through that list that many more of my friends are going to be there than I already expected! It would be great to travel and explore with all of them!
Hence, my checklist for this year is divided into these three parts: 1) London: The aim is to wipe out the tourist spots in the first week or two and then try to grow into a Londoner. 2) Sightseeing: Go traveling at least once a month, given the access that London offers to the U.K. and Europe. 3) Economics: Make use of all the resources that LSE offers to me both, directly and indirectly, from world-class professors to incredible public lecturers.
The only part of the whole deal that I’m not elated about is the fact that I’ll be moving away from all my friends for a whole year. By the time I’m back, a lot of them will have graduated, while many others would be off on their own study abroad and co op adventures, and so I don’t know how many of my friends I’ll not see again for a long time. However, that’s what I love about Northeastern- we are all such global, wanderlust souls that all our friendships are subject to this component of travel at least once in our college life, and as huskies we have all made our peace with it. We build enough memories when we’re together to last us when we’re not.
And hence, with my life and memories overflowing out of my two bags, I move away from Boston which I now call my hometown, all set to embark on this one year which I will not forget, however it goes. Here’s to adding more places in my list of ‘hometowns’ and more memories that flow out of my suitcases.
