London Calling: A Weekend of Football, Friendship, and Royal Encounters

They say studying abroad is all about making memories. After this weekend in London with my group of 10, I think we've made enough to last a lifetime—even if my bank account might never forgive me! The adventure started with us piling into our Airbnb in Shoreditch, a vibrant neighborhood that immediately captured our hearts with its street art and bustling markets. Picture this: five rooms, ten study abroad students, and enough excitement to power the London Eye (which, by the way, gives you views that make you forget all about the ticket price!). Speaking of the London Eye—our first stop after dropping off our bags—I've got to say, seeing London spread out beneath you like a living map is something else. The Thames snaking through the city, historic buildings mixing with modern skyscrapers, and the realization that you're here, in LONDON, hit differently when you're suspended 443 feet in the air. But let's talk about the highlight of this trip: the Arsenal vs. Manchester City match at the Emirates Stadium. 

As someone who's only recently gotten into football (sorry, soccer for my American friends back home), this game was UNREAL. The atmosphere was electric—60,000+ fans singing, and chanting, and when Arsenal started scoring... pure magic. Arsenal dominated in a stunning 5-1 victory, and watching them dismantle Man City was like witnessing football history in the making. The celebrations in the stands were insane, and I'm pretty sure I lost my voice somewhere between the third and fourth goals! Between the big moments, we packed in all the classic London must-sees. Buckingham Palace was grander than any photo could capture, and we timed it perfectly to catch the Changing of the Guard ceremony. There's something surreal about watching this centuries-old tradition play out in front of you, the guards in their iconic red uniforms and bearskin hats moving with incredible precision. 

London Bridge was next on our list (though I learned it's Tower Bridge that's the pretty one everyone thinks of as London Bridge—tourist mistake number one!). Walking across it gave us some of the best views of the city, and the history behind it is fascinating. Did you know the current London Bridge is relatively new? The old one is supposedly in Arizona of all places! True to form, London weather gave us a proper welcome with a mix of sun and rain—sometimes within the same hour! But honestly? The random rain showers just gave us excuses to duck into cozy pubs and try traditional British fare. Yes, I tried fish and chips, and yes, it lives up to the hype, especially after a long day of walking. Living with 10 people in one Airbnb was an adventure in itself. Morning bathroom schedules became military operations, and don't even get me started on trying to decide where to eat each night! But those chaotic moments—cooking breakfast together in our tiny kitchen, staying up late planning the next day's adventures, and sharing stories from our separate study abroad experiences—are the memories I'll cherish most. 

Let's talk about the elephant in the room: London is EXPENSIVE. Between the flight from Barcelona, the Airbnb split, match tickets, and everything else, this weekend made a dent in my study abroad budget. But you know what? Some experiences are worth the splurge. Watching Arsenal demolish Man City with my friends, feeling the energy of the crowd, and exploring one of the world's greatest cities together—these are the stories we'll be telling for years to come. As our train pulled away from St. Pancras heading back to the airport, we were exhausted, broke, and already planning our next visit. Because that's the thing about London—it has this way of making you feel like you've seen everything and nothing at all in the same breath. Back in Barcelona now, my wallet might be lighter, but my heart is fuller. Sometimes the most expensive weekends turn out to be the most priceless.