Study Abroad | London

Housing

STUDENT RESIDENCE

During your time abroad you will live in London, within easy travel of the AIFS Global Education Centre and Shakespeare’s Globe, the many museums, galleries, theaters and green open spaces of central London. Housing will be in shared rooms in a student residence.

Self-catering cooking facilities.

Internet access is included in all AIFS housing in London.

Transport Pass

A travel pass for use in Zones 1 and 2 on buses, underground (tubes) and overground trains on the London Transport system

City Facts

Population

London has a diverse range of peoples and cultures, and more than 300 languages are spoken within its boundaries. London had topped 9 million people in 2020.  

Culture

London is home to numerous museums, galleries, libraries, sporting events and other cultural institutions, including the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, British Library and 40 West End theaters.

Transportation

London’s transportation system is also renowned, and the London Underground is the oldest underground railway network in the world.

Site Staff

AIFS in London Director, Summer Program

Heather Lees

My love of travel began at an early age from moving around to different U.S. Naval bases and family road trips, to visiting family in the Philippines and studying abroad in the UK and Shanghai, China. After graduating from university in the U.S., I began a career in higher education, starting out in Residence Life and student activities before transitioning into international education. I have lived in the UK, on and off, for nearly 14 years (I am eligible for British citizenship!) and love to highlight all the UK has to offer. While I am mostly found indoors baking and crocheting, some of my favourite trips with students have been to national parks here in the UK… from ghyll scrambling in the Lake District to kayaking in the Brecon Beacons. I am a Mental Health First Aider and always happy to lend an ear.

The Program Director provides academic advice, introduces you to the community and handles communication with the University.

Cultural Activities

Learning does not begin or end in the classroom. To help you get a true taste of theater life, extracurricular activities have been arranged specifically for students on this program to enable you to become fully immersed in the life and work of the Globe. Activities include:

Theater performances: Attend two performances at the Globe and experience Shakespeare’s work just as theatergoers did in the 1600s.

Other events are offered which are subsidized from student fees so students pay a much lower rate than they would if they bought tickets directly from local theaters and tour agencies. Previous years’ activities included:

• Walking tours including Black London, Street Art and Harry Potter
• A sports event
• River boat cruise along the Thames
• West End theater performances such as Wicked, Matilda, Les Misérables, and The Woman in Black
• Traditional afternoon tea