There is a certain magic to stepping off a plane in a new country –– one that doesn’t fully hit you at first.
I became immersed in this feeling when I arrived in London in August. At first, I experienced sensory overload — between the chill of the autumn air, the rush of people moving with purpose and the iconic red buses, I was in an entirely new world. I see now that those first moments were the start of something unique. My semester at Wake Forest’s Worrell House didn’t just change how I see the world; it changed how I see myself.
The Worrell House, which is nestled on Steele’s Road, near the Chalk Farm tube station, became more than just a place to stay — it became my second home. The house itself, with its communal kitchen and living areas, fostered connections with my fellow students. We would gather in the classroom to make homework deadlines and study for tests together, or just talk about our lives in the kitchen while cooking various meals that were either delicious or inedible. My roommate, Frank Liu, and I deepened our friendship through late-night chats and a shared interest in poker, enjoying the prospects London offered to figure out the game — odds, betting and going all in.

We went to London for Professor Lauren Reid’s Introductory Financial Accounting course, a prerequisite for all future business school applicants. Dr. Reid’s class, central to our curriculum, set the tone for the semester. She wasn’t just an outstanding professor; she was kind, understanding and endlessly supportive — a mentor in every sense of the word. Professors from local universities taught the rest of our classes, including one from the University of Oxford for our London and the World History course. My art class, the Arts of London, was a revelation. Nearly every week, we found ourselves in a new museum, standing face-to-face with works I had only seen in books or online. Standing mere feet from Fragonard’s “The Swing” and Holbein’s “The Ambassadors,” I felt connected to the pieces and appreciated their timelessness. Holbein’s cryptic precision and level of detail, and Fragonard’s use of color, were magical. Professor Barnes, an art critic featured on British television and an instructor at the Worrell House, made it clear that it wasn’t just about studying art but about learning to see the world differently.
Kate Kistler (‘24), our resident advisor and a former Worrell House student, guided us through London’s labyrinth of culture and history. Together, our 13-person cohort explored the city and beyond, from quiet afternoons in markets to travel across Europe.
It is impossible to talk about my semester without mentioning our extensive travel. While London was our home base, Europe became our classroom. In Edinburgh, Scotland, Frank and I hiked up Arthur’s Seat in kilts — an embarrassing decision that amused the rest of our class.
Munich was next. Oktoberfest proved to be a solid cultural experience mixed with horrible weather. The beer, though, was amazing. My favorite memory was my solo, grueling three-mile walk in the early morning rain to return our rented Lederhosen after losing a coin flip to Frank.
Paris, Santorini, Athens, Stavanger, Amsterdam, Rome and Istanbul — each trip taught us something unique. My classmate Anna Jin’s excitement for exploring cities, mostly on foot, and excitement for local cuisine made every trip memorable. In Santorini, the sunsets made us wish time would stop. Istanbul’s rich history and the Hagia Sofia Grand Mosque reminded me of the magnificence of cultural and religious art. Amsterdam’s vibrancy and openness allowed me and Frank to explore new perspectives in ways we hadn’t before.

London itself was as much a part of my education as any textbook. The city taught me independence: navigating the Tube, trying to balance a budget in an expensive city and embracing the tempo of urban life all immersed me in European culture.
One of my most expected pleasures came from poker. In the UK, you can legally play at 18. I spent over 200 hours playing at various poker rooms across the city. A few of those hours were spent in a room where I am now persona non grata. It was never about gambling, though. To me, poker is a strategy game that I want to win.
The food of the city deserves a mention, as well. We tried all varieties of restaurants and cafés. From Mediterranean feasts in neighborhood haunts to the best cannoli I have ever had in Rome, almost every meal was excellent.
Living in London, traveling across Europe and sharing these experiences with close friends showed me the value of connection and curiosity. This semester opened those doors for me. It was in the space between the familiar and the unfamiliar that I found not just new places but new insights.
London isn’t just a place I visited — it is a part of me now. I carry my time in London with me in a way I think, feel and dream. And for that, I will always be grateful.