Indiana University

Indiana University School of Journalism

Summer in London: Leaving with memories

Thirteen honors students from the School of Journalism are spending their summer in London, working in British media and studying British culture.


Leaving with souvenirs, memories

June 23
Kari Friedlander

kari friedlander in paris
Courtesy photo
Kari Friedlander in Paris, one of the many cities she made time to visit while in the Summer in London program.
My summer experience in London began as another journey to a new place and a long stretch of meeting many unfamiliar faces, and ended with valuable work experience and friends that I will have forever.

Looking back, it is almost hard to remember driving out of the circle in front of the IMU not knowing a single person sitting on either side of me. I, like many others, had a list of places to see and things to accomplish in the U.K. However, what I quickly unravelled is that it is those experiences in between that will stick with me as I continue to follow my journalism dreams.

During the week, we functioned as most Londoners do: taking the tube to work everyday, picking up our favourite daily paper, and, on a good day, heating up an instant dinner meal at approximately 21:00 (yes, we are now fully adjusted to military time).

We even had our taste of the “posh lifestyle,” having seen seven theatrical extravaganzas ranging from Les Miserables and the ballet of Romeo and Juliet at the Royal Opera House to A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Globe Theatre and my favorite, Avenue Q.

My friends and I have travelled outside London to get a true taste of England’s country side, and on top of that, I have even ventured to Ireland, France and Holland.

So as I pack begin to pack up all of my belongings and say goodbye to my co-workers, my British friends and my flat in Islington, I take with me the best souvenir of all: memories.