Hiya loves!
My name is Maya, and in January 2026 I landed at London Heathrow, ready to start my exchange journey in the heart of England.
As they say in Hallmark movies, I arrived with two suitcases and a dream. I studied at , located in the artistic neighbourhood of Islington in North London. This experience has forever changed my outlook on life, and I could not be more grateful for the opportunity. I was pushed out of my comfort zone in ways I didn't know were possible, and I came back with more growth and independence than I expected. People who go on exchange often say they come back as a different person – I experienced that firsthand.
Academically, City St George's is a smaller university, class sizes averaging around 45 people, which means you quickly become friends with your peers. Tutorials, with about 20 students, are also taught by your professor, making learning feel personal and topics are covered in depth. My professors made a real effort to include us, and I was even fortunate enough to help with the launch of one of my professor's books!
My favourite part of exchange was being able to take courses that aren't offered in Canada, like Radicals and Reformers: Left-Wing Politics in Britain and the World Since 1945, or The History of Modern Europe: Empires, States, Unions. But the class I loved the most was Historic London, which took us around the city's monuments (Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, the Museum of London, Buckingham Palace…) learning history and culture along the way.
Outside the classroom, I visited world-renowned galleries (the Victoria and Albert, the National Portrait Gallery, the Wallace Collection) and museums (the Natural History Museum, the British Museum), and got happily lost in London's parks – Hyde Park, St James's Park, Regent's Park. London is such a multifaceted city that there's something for everyone: adventurers (the Seven Sisters hike was life-changing), academics (Pints of Knowledge is a must for learning from experts over a pint), and jazz fans (Ronnie Scott's is unmissable).
To soak up the culture – which is really a blend of so many – you can wander Chinatown for the food, or, like any true Londoner, head to your local pub for trivia night. Most importantly, people were genuinely keen to get to know each other, and as long as you put yourself out there – in class, at speaker events, in societies, talking to scholars – the city welcomes you with open arms.
London is a city that feels alive in every possible sense. You will not regret going on exchange – it's a truly transformational experience. I made lifelong friends and I can’t wait to return to my home away from home. Cheerio!
Maya's Photos
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