My First 24 Hours in London

Hi! My name is Beyonca and I’m a senior at the University of Massachusetts - Amherst. Last semester, I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad in London at the University of Westminster with CIS Abroad. It was my very first time leaving the country, and I couldn’t have asked for a better way to do it. 

Going through a partner program gave me support during the transition, which made me feel much more confident about taking this leap. When I first made plans, though, I was nervous. The idea of being away from my family and friends for six months, especially on a completely different continent, was both exciting and intimidating. I knew it would take time to adjust, but I was determined to embrace everything that came my way.

Once my application was accepted, the excitement took over. It was no longer just an idea; it was happening. I packed my bags, said my goodbyes, and set off for London. The first 24 hours after I landed are etched in my memory. It was a chilly but bright morning as I stepped off the plane at Heathrow. Dragging two heavy suitcases behind me, I made my way through the enormous airport, which felt more like a maze with endless halls and rooms. Every announcement I heard over the loudspeaker, spoken in a crisp British accent, reminded me that I really wasn’t home anymore.

Eventually, after what felt like forever, I spotted my CIS cohort. Meeting other students, some from UMass, others from schools across the U.S., immediately gave me a sense of comfort. After everyone arrived, our two CIS hosts gathered us to head to our dorms. They were our guides and main contacts throughout the program, and they made that first day feel less overwhelming. One host hailed a cab, and as soon as I climbed in, I noticed the driver was on the right side of the car. That small detail made me laugh, it was one of those little reminders that I’d have to get used to a new way of life here. As we drove through the city, I couldn’t stop staring out the window at the brick row houses, the greenery, and the bustle of London. It already felt like a place full of stories waiting for me to discover.

When I arrived at my dorm, Alexander Fleming Hall, I checked in at the lobby and went up to my apartment. My room had a bed, a desk, a closet, and, something I wasn’t expecting, a sink with a mirror and cabinet. It felt odd at first, but very European. The apartment was set up for four people, each with their own bedroom, while sharing a kitchen and two bathrooms. CIS had given me a gift card to buy essentials, so I headed to Argos. I had never seen a store like it: no aisles of products, just kiosks where you ordered on iPads and then picked things up at the counter. It was strange but convenient, and I quickly stocked up on pots, pans, and bedding. Back at the dorm, I decorated my room to feel more like home and helped my roommates move in when they arrived later that day.

That evening, I met up with some of the students from my cohort at a small coffee shop nearby. We swapped stories about our journeys to London, what drew us here, and what we hoped to experience. I shared that I had family in the city I was eager to meet, and that I was looking forward to traveling across Europe. There was an instant sense of connection, and it reassured me that I wasn’t alone in this new chapter.

Looking back now, I get emotional thinking about that first day. I had no idea just how much this experience would shape me. The first 24 hours were only the beginning, but they captured everything I would come to love meeting new people, embracing the unfamiliar, and finding joy in small discoveries. Studying abroad was truly life-changing, and I can say with confidence that I wouldn’t be the person I am today if I hadn’t gone. Those first moments in London weren’t just memorable, they were the foundation of one of the most transformative experiences of my life.

Blog by Beyonca Ademulegun, University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Interested in studying abroad in London? Check out available programs here!