After stepping off the British Airwoys London Eye, sophomore Kristen Martin takes a picture of Big Ben. Oct. 25. The British Airways London Eye. which was constructed in 2000. resembled a Ferris wheel and carried 15.000 visitors a day. · (ouresly 01 Jessico Reed London's hustle collides with Arkansas pace What would it be like ifHarding had a campus in New York City? Students would be surrounded by millions of people every day. They would fight through foot traffic on the sidewalk just to get to class. They would have subway passes to get around town, and there would never be a shortage of things to do. While a campus in the Big Apple was nOt likely, students searching for college life in a hig city did not have to look any further than Harding University in England during the fall semester. "One ofthe thin!}'> about the London program that is so different from the others is that we are in this huge metropolis,'" Dr. DennisOrgan. dean of (he College ofArts and Humanities and fall H UE sponsor, said. "It's very crowded, busy and alive. Yes, there are beautiful parts, but you never forget that you are surrounded by millions." Organ, who taught classes in England during the filII, said that students had plenty ofoptions when it came to recreation. "There were always 15 to 20 plays or musicals r: I'; student life goi ng on at once," Organ said. "We were right in the middle of the theater district." Sophomore Erin Younger said that life in a busycity was diStracting at times, but the frequent trips to the theater were worth it. "Wegot to see great shows like 'The PhantOm ofthe Opera' and 'The Lion King.'" Younger said. "We even got to see 'Beauty and the Beast' on the same weekend it played. at Harding." Students were given subway passes to get aro und and were permined to go anywhere in London as long as they didn't leave the ciry overnight without permission. Unfortunately, JUSt like sitting in the student center after chapel dismissed each day, staying in a crowded environment could be stressful and taxing on students, O rgan said. "While being in London is stimulating, and I love that part of the program, our students really enjoyed the uips Out ofLondon as times to rest," Organ said. Some of the more scenic trips gave students a chance ro escape from the busy ciry life. "We went up to the Lake District and it was so beautiful," junior Krystle Boise said. "It looked JUSt like a postcard." Another trip to the Lake District gave Stu– dents a chance to see the birth place offamous writers like William Shakespeare. "Jr was so peaceful and calm," Younger said. "You could tell whe re those writers gOt their inspiration." Other trips included time in Dover, where students enjoyed a beach view of the beautiful white cliffs, and Edinburgh, where students climbed up the mountain Arrhur's Seat ro watch the sun rise. While Harding's campuses in Greece and Italy were in big cities. (he London campus was still larger in comparison. "'I wouldn't even call it a campus." Organ said. "Ie was more like a row ofbuildings, loaned off twO busy streets." The hectic Streets ofan over-crowded London were tiring for students, but it made the relax– ing excursions to the less-populated tOwns that much more meaningful, some said. ·Austin light
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