It's been almost 2 weeks since I arrived in London and every day has been great. While classes can be long (we have them in 4 hour blocks), the time goes by quickly and then I'm ready to go out and have fun. In the first half of the program I'm taking British Marketing Strategy and European Capital Markets, both of which have proved to be very interesting so far even if it's hard to stay awake the whole time.
I saw all the major sites around London from the boat tour on the Thames and then walked to Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace and through St. James Park. Saturday I took a day trip to Windsor Castle which was beautiful! The weather was perfect and I wandered around the castle and the town with some friends taking pictures and enjoying the countryside. Seeing the dollhouses, St. George's Chapel and the grounds of where the Queen lives (she wasn't in residence that day) was amazing.
Tuesday was an exciting day for all us Americans here in London - President Obama's inauguration! The program got some tv's and pizza and threw us a party. Watching the inauguration felt great even on this side of the Atlantic. The BBC commentary was interesting to listen to versus ABC or any other station back home even if I didn't like everything they focused on. I'm so glad I got to watch it and celebrate with other Americans.
Yesterday I went on a field trip to the Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising for my marketing class in Notting Hill. It was my first time in the neighborhood and I loved it. I must go back soon for the Portobello flea market on sundays. The museum was very interesting; it showed how brands and packaging have changed over the years. Some of the artifacts they had were incredible and so old!
That's about all that's new for now. I'm leaving tomorrow night to spend the weekend in Wales! I'll be sure to write all about it when I get back.