Participating in a study abroad program in England allows you to experience life in a foreign country without the hassle of a language barrier.

Study abroad in London, in particular, and you’ll see many of England’s time-honored traditions, like:

• The magnificently choreographed Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace
• The Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London.

But English culture isn’t based solely on its past. The country is a world power in every sense, it is at the forefront of pop culture, and it’s an extremely progressive place where people are quite tolerant of each other.

When you enroll in a study abroad program in England you’ll grow as both a student and as a citizen of the world.

Finding a Study Abroad Program in England

From Alnwick to York, you can find scores of study abroad programs throughout jolly old England. Most American exchange students opt to enroll in a London program though.

There are programs that focus on a specialized area of study, such as:

• Boston University’s London Music Program where you can study at London’s Royal College of Music
• New York University’s NYU in London campus, which focuses on a general educational experience, like.

You can spend a summer study abroad program, a semester abroad, or even an entire year, but you must plan for differences that exist in the university system in England, as many schools operate on trimesters and not on semesters. In order to properly transfer credits, you may want to consider a yearlong study abroad program in England.

Two of the most prestigious universities in the world are located in England. You can study at:

• The University of Oxford through a number of American university programs, including those offered by Boston University and Sarah Lawrence College.
• Cambridge University, either directly or through Butler University’s Institute for Study Abroad Program.

Keep in mind that both schools are among the most competitive in the world, so if you’re selected, do not hesitate to enroll. You’ll never regret it.

For additional information on study abroad England, see our Universities section. To find out how you can finance a study abroad program in England see Financial Aid for Study Abroad.

Transportation in England - Where Left is Right

Getting around in England and all of Great Britain is a simple process. The Brits have mastered the art of the rail, and students who study abroad in England will surely benefit from it.

• In London, the London Underground - AKA the Tube - makes it easy to get anywhere. The high speed and long distance rail options offered by Eurail and Britrail can take you throughout the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe. And inexpensive rail passes are available through RailPass.com or a similar service. If you’re under 26 you will qualify to buy a discounted Eurail youthpass.
• Buses, including those quirky double-decker buses London is known for, provide transport within cities, and coaches can take you to the more remote places around England. If you opt to drive while enrolled in a study abroad program in England, you’ll have to be particularly careful.

Driving on the left side of the road can be tricky business, especially when entering England’s many roundabouts or rotaries. Be sure to check with your car rental company for a complete list of rules of the road.

The More Pounds the Better: Money in England

England is one of the few nations in Europe that did not convert to the Euro. British currency is based on the pound sterling, which is indicated by the symbol £. The pound is pretty easy for Americans to grasp because one pound equals 100 cents, like the U.S. dollar.

Basics on the pound are:

• One hundred cents equals one pound. Coins come in denominations of: 1 penny, 2 pence, 5 pence, 10 pence, 20 pence, and 50 pence, 1 pound, and 2 pounds
• There are four different banknote denominations for the pound including: 5 pound notes, 10 pound notes, 20 pound notes, and 50 pound notes

Unfortunately, for Americans who study abroad in London or anywhere else in England, the U.S. dollar hasn’t fared well against the pound in recent history.

Although you can always find ways to save money while studying abroad in England by cutting your spending on international calling by using calling cards through a service like Communications Fidelity, you’d also be wise to have a good understanding of how exchange rates will affect your bottom line. Try an online currency converter like XE.com. Then figure out if you can realistically can get money to study abroad.

Exploring England and all of the United Kingdom

There is no shortage of things to see and do while you study abroad in England:

• Visit ancient ruins that provide clues into civilizations long gone, such as Stonehenge and the Druid Ruins in nearby Wales.
• Tour museums dedicated to England’s literary giants Shakespeare and Jane Austen.
• Watch a live performance at Shakespeare’s Globe Museum.
• If politics and world affairs are of more interest to you, you can pay homage to Sir Winston Churchill at the Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms.
• If you attend a summer abroad program you can take a guided tour of the Houses of Parliament.

There are so many places to go and interesting Brits to meet when you study abroad in England, so there will never be a shortage of fun!

Important Information for Studying Abroad in England

The following list of important phone numbers and information may come in handy as you study abroad in England. Be sure to check with your school or program for any additional information you might need:

• Ambulance/Fire Brigade/Police: 112 or 999.
• American Embassy (London) Telephone [44] (0)20 7499-9000.
• Visit Britain has tons of useful information about visiting Britain and what to do while there.
• The official tourist board for England has its own helpful site called Enjoy England.