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"When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford," wrote Samuel Johnson more than 200 years ago. Today, this unrivalled hub for finance, media, communications, entertainment and design presents opportunities in banking and operations, human resources, publishing, information technology and many other areas.
And yet, amid the bustle of a buzzing metropolis, London exudes a friendly environment for the people who call it home. "I loved living in London," recalls Erin Cornell, who did an internship through the
American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS) during her junior year of college. "The people are civilized. It seemed like they knew how to live more, and it's less cutthroat."
Sound intriguing? If so, check out our guide to living, working and studying in London.
Social Life: Keep Your Head Up, Bridget Jones Maggie Bullock, a New Yorker who
interned at Worth Global Style Network, has "always had a fascination with England." For her, London is "an epicenter of fashion, talent and energy." Its sassy style extends from its sidewalks to its shelves.
"I'd love to work here," Bullock says. "I love the energy, and UK publications are generally more scathing and savvy than American ones."
If you're looking for nightlife, London's is considered to be top-notch, especially for singles. "There are supposedly six single men in their 20s for every female counterpart," Bullock says. But don't book a flight yet, she advises: "I've not seen much evidence of that."
And if you're not much of a drinker, socializing might be uncomfortable at times, as "alcohol is the axis that London life spins on," says Bullock.
Cost of Living Though Samuel Johnson may be right that London has all that life can afford, affording life in London is another story. In London, it's not about the Benjamins -- it's about pounds, which are much heavier on the wallet. "It's utterly impossible to have a life here without spending money," observes Bullock.
Another downside of life in London is the food. Amy Bettis, who did an internship in marketing through AIFS during her junior year in college, embraces the understatement. "The cultures are different in terms of the food," she says. "I don't want to say the food had no flavor…. The food was horrible."
PaperworkUS citizens need work permits to work in the UK. The prospective employer makes the application for a work permit, which means if you change employers, your work permit is no longer valid. The good news, however, is that US citizens don't need visas to study in the UK, and students can work up to 20 hours per week. For more information on work eligibility, consult
British Information Services.
Finding an Apartment Loot features apartment listings, but according to Bullock, "you must have a
London A-Z, a book of detailed maps of the city. Otherwise, you'll never find anything.”
Real estate moves quickly in London. Bullock advises prospective tenants to be prepared. "Most people have told me to carry my rent and deposit around when looking so I could just put the money down on the spot if I found something,” she says.
Internships, Study Abroad Programs and Research Grants The best way to learn about studying in London is by finding out which programs are offered in connection with your college or university. Studying overseas through your university will make it much easier to transfer credits.
If you're not currently enrolled in school, there are numerous opportunities to study or intern in London.
The British Council, the
Association for International Practical Training,
American Institute for Foreign Study and the
Institute of International Education are good places to begin.
Online Resources
Monster's Global Gateway features historical and cultural information about the UK. In addition, you can find information about typical positions and salaries, research companies and search job listings.
Print Resources
