Hi! My name is Ryan Lawville, and I’m a junior at the University of Pittsburgh from Wilmington, Delaware, majoring in marketing with a minor in economics. This semester I am studying abroad in London through the GBI London program. As someone who had never traveled before, I felt like I had to take advantage of the opportunity to study in a different country. I knew I wanted to challenge myself to step outside of my comfort zone and experience what the world has to offer. London felt like the perfect location for me because of the vast business opportunities, the diverse cultures, historical sites, and its role as a major gateway to the rest of Europe. Throughout this semester, I’m hoping to meet people from all over the world, expanding my network both professionally and personally, while fully immersing myself in new cultures.
Through the GBI London program, our host university is Richmond American University London. The student population here is very different from back home, with a much smaller but more diverse student body. So far, I have been able to make friends from all over the world, including the U.S., France, Lebanon, the UAE, Greece, Italy, and more!
Our accomodation in West London is very nice but is located in more of a suburban part of the city. That said, Central London is super accessible thanks to the many tube and bus stops nearby. All of my fellow Pitt students in the GBI program are staying in the same accomodation, which made it great to have familiar faces and immediate friends when we arrived. We each have studio apartments, along with access to a gym, a cinema, and a rooftop balcony with views of Central London.
One thing I really like about our neighborhood is the Acton Market, which is open every week from Wednesday to Saturday. Here you can find an abundance of outdoor vendors, affordable produce stands, and delicious street food from a variety of cultures. There are also grocery stores, restaurants, and beautiful parks close by, making this area of West London feel very livable and welcoming.
Adjusting to this new lifestyle can be challenging at first, but is so rewarding in the end. Meeting people from all over the world and experiencing different cultures firsthand has been one of the coolest and most eye-opening experiences of my life. I’m extremely grateful for this opportunity to study abroad, and I can’t wait to see what the rest of this semester has in store for me!
