Cultural Activities
TAL students have London’s West End theatre on their doorstep and can find a ticket for a West End show in minutes. But there are other ways that our work at TAL takes place outside the rehearsal room or classroom. All faculty are encouraged to use the city of London as a resource, incorporating field trips within the city into their classes, whether it's performing scenes from Shakespeare at the Tower of London or going to talkbacks at the National Theatre or the Globe. There are costume exhibits at the Victoria and Albert museum and historic theatres like Theatre Royal Drury Lane (now owned by Andrew Lloyd Webber) to visit on backstage tours.
These trips are complemented by an extensive social/cultural calendar for all students at FSU London, including daytrips outside of the city and excursions within London. Most of these trips, except where there are specific entry fees, are included in the overall program fee. We are committed to helping students get to know London and the UK, and our social cultural program allows us to do this in a variety of different ways.
Exploring the city of London
On arrival students take a guided walking tour of our neighbourhood and a bus tour of the city. Then, throughout the semester staff regularly lead excursions to all corners of the city. Recent excursions have included: tickets to Premiership football matches, outdoor ice skating at Somerset House, Indian food on Brick Lane, fringe theatre in Haringey, Spitalfields Market in the east end, the Wildlife Photography Exhibition at the Natural History Museum, and many more. We often visit Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, and the Tower of London but there is so much to see and our trips vary by the semester.
Daytrips and Excursions
The program includes several daytrips to places outside of London. Rented luxury buses, professional tour guides, and experienced staff make for an educational and enjoyable day out. Daytrip destinations have included: the university towns of Cambridge and Oxford; Shakespeare's home in Stratford-Upon-Avon; the ancient and magical Stonehenge; the current home of the Queen, Windsor Castle; Canterbury Cathedral; the Victorian seaside town of Brighton; the childhood home of Elizabeth I, and Hampton Court Palace.
Events at the Study Centre
Life at the Study Centre has a community feel. Students and staff get to know each other, and everybody shares in the experience of living in the middle of this great city. We regularly host events at the centre. Movie nights, highlighting the best of British film and television, are often popular. Afternoon tea, held every Friday, complete with tea, scones, and biscuits (cookies) is the perfect way to meet other students and plan the weekend. We also host pizza parties, Halloween parties, socials, Thanksgiving dinner, and other events. We are open to ideas – if you would like to hold an event – let us know!