A Love Letter to London: Reflecting on my Internship Experience

By Leah Gabriella Cardenas

After eight weeks, my time in London and with Paddington Arts has come to an end. 

Though I’m used to being away from home for weeks at a time, being in a different country and at first alone has been an entirely different experience. Especially considering that the last time I left the United States was when I was twelve years old. 

I came to London with little expectations for this internship. I was mostly worried about fitting all the clothes I wanted to bring into just two suitcases. I knew I wanted to explore the city and travel outside of the United Kingdom a little but as for the rest of it, I was trying to be ready for anything.

After eight weeks, I feel that I have done so much more than I could have ever imagined. I learned a lot about London as well as who I am as a person and a writer. 

I have been to eight new cities and three new countries. I have seen three West End shows, aballet, and a Shakespeare play at the Globe Theatre. I have met so many new people, some of which I see becoming lifelong friends. 

This experience has challenged me. I put myself out there when meeting nearly 60 new people. I adjusted to living with five flatmates and just one tiny fridge. I learned to navigate the Tube to work without using my phone and somehow still had 20,000 steps every day. I also spent a lot of time exploring the city by myself. Being here has allowed me to do a lot of self-reflection and grow even more into who I am.

London has been very different from my life in Seattle or Los Angeles. I had never lived so close to the center of such a cosmopolitan city before which is part of the reason I chose to come here. I have now seen an entirely new side of the world. 

While here, I have also written 13 articles including this one. Through Paddington Arts, I have learned about the city in a way I don’t think I would have working anywhere else. I often explored Notting Hill after work. I helped out one time at the nearby food bank run by Jacqui Haynes. I met and interviewed Jama Elmi, a local celebrity known for his colorful suits. I have explored different topics and writing styles, learning what other people like to read and what I’m good at.

Being a youth performing arts organization, Paddington Arts will always be a unique workplace for me, especially as a former dancer. As I continue to grow as a journalist, I hope that what I learned and practiced here will stick with me.

I’m glad I took this leap and decided to go abroad. I’m also immensely grateful to CIEE and Paddington Arts for giving me the opportunity to live and work here. London now has a special place in my heart. These last two months have been filled with memories and lessons I know I will never forget.

Thank you London.