We are all here (FINALLY)! Camden Market, Alumni Dinner, Kensington Gardens

The last three students arrived this morning. After many travel delays, all the students have safely arrived and are getting settled into their London home for the next 5 weeks.

We were treated to another perfect London summer day--75 degrees, sunny, blue skies. No humidity. No mosquitoes. Just lovely.

Eight of the students went to Camden Market with me today. Camden Market and Camden Lock Market are both very crowded--especially on a day like today.

For dinner tonight, both LONDON: ENG 331 and the General Studies group went out for a dinner at Med Kitchen with NC State alumni from the London/Paris experience. Unfortunately, we did not get much of chance to talk with the alumni because of the set up of the restaurant. But, it was nice to finally have all 14 LONDON: ENG 331 students together!

After dinner, 13 of the students walked with me to Kensington Gardens.

We will spend tomorrow preparing for the start of classes. The students have readings to complete, a video to watch, and an exercise to finish before we meet for our first official class on Tuesday. I'll be reviewing the readings and making sure my class materials are all in order!

Orientation and the Tour that would not end

To start the day, we all met outside of Courtfield Gardens and walked as a group over to the Young Street classroom building for our Orientation. It was an absolutely beautiful London summer morning--cool and clear and blue skies!

On our way there, we stopped at Atlantic House, the student center for AIFS.  At the exact moment, Aniket, one of the students delayed by travel problems, pulled up in a taxi! PERFECT TIMING!

Orientation started as always with Sgt. Paul giving a very humorous but effective talk about safety and security. He is able to combine being funny with delivering a very serious message.

Orientation

Orientation

After Orientation, I walked Aniket back to Atlantic House to pick up his luggage and then took him to Courtfield Gardens. Jose walked with us and since he is one of Aniket's roommates, he let him into the building and then into their room.  The three of us ate lunch at The Patisserie, an open air bakery and sandwich restaurant.

After lunch we met the group to get on the bus tour. Our tour guide, Sean, was very funny and kept up a running monologue throughout the tour. We got off the bus at a number of locations throughout London. Our tour was much longer than anticipated because of a number of road closures. Although it was very long, the students got a good overview of the city and some ideas of places to return to during their stay.

Below are pictures of our tour. Our group of 14 is still missing 3 students (expected to arrive tomorrow morning). We were also with the General Studies group from NCSU (there are 30 students on that program).

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace--General Studies Group

Our tour guide, Sean, talking about St. Paul's Cathedral

General Studies Group at St. Paul's

Most of the LONDON:ENG 331 Group on the steps of St. Paul's Cathedral

Listening to the tour guide

Quick stop to view the river and Tower Bridge--most of the men

Quick stop to view the river and Tower Bridge--most of the women

Day 1 of LONDON: ENG 331 2013

Most of the students arrived today. Unfortunately, many of the students experienced travel delays--and some are STILL experiencing delays!  Ten of the fourteen students have actually arrived. One more is coming tomorrow morning and three are arriving on Sunday.

I met up with some students at Courtfield Gardens Apartments and showed them to Garfunkle's for lunch and then to Sainsbury's for shopping.  One of the General Studies students came with us.  Once I arrived back at the apartments with the first group of students, I took the next group to the store (again, along with a General Studies student).

This evening, we went to the Natural History Museum for Lates.  One night each month, the museum stays open late and there is food, drink, and music. http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit-us/whats-on/after-hours/lates-master-card/index.html
We walked around and looked at the exhibits and enjoyed the entertainment.

It was a rainy start to the study abroad experience. Hopefully, we will have a nice day tomorrow for our tour!

Almost time to be in London again

I've spent today packing and getting ready to head over to London. I arrive before the students and will be there at the apartments to welcome them when they arrive.
Students are arriving in London by bus, train, and plane. They are coming from RDU, Charlotte, Greenville, Dubai, England, and Scotland. Looking forward to our adventure in London this summer!