From ancient churches to skyline views, Concordia students spend day two discovering London’s history and landmarks.
This is the second article in the series, “A Quid for Your Thoughts,” written by members of the BUS 7040: Study Abroad in London course. The series captures reflections from students’ study abroad experience in the United Kingdom during spring break 2026.
MONDAY — We completed day two of the BUS 7040 spring break trip to London, which was filled with iconic views.
We started our day at Westminster Abbey and learned about its rich history, dating back to A.D. 1066. The abbey has hosted coronations, royal weddings, and many high-profile burials. The architecture and intricate artwork have stood for nearly a millennium and remain carefully maintained today. Our group was astonished by the sheer size of the building and wondered how it was constructed without modern technology. Many peaceful views around the abbey left us speechless.
After our tour, we visited the oldest surviving church in London, St. Bartholomew the Great. Our brief stop included a walk through the sanctuary and a short lesson about St. Bartholomew. We also learned the church has appeared in several well-known films, including a scene from Avengers: Age of Ultron.
After our visit, our professor — and impromptu tour guide — Dr. Scott Niederjohn showed us the London Wall. Built by the Romans around A.D. 200, portions of the wall are still standing today. From there, we went together to Ye Olde London Pub for food and conversation.
Rejuvenated from a tasty meal, we walked to the British Museum. The museum is widely known as the world’s first national public museum and houses more than 8 million objects. To make the most of our time, we focused on a few exhibits, including the Parthenon, Ancient Egypt, Rome, Europe, and Japan.
From the British Museum, we made our way to the London Eye, a Ferris wheel that rises more than 400 feet above the city. Some of the most scenic views of the day came from this vantage point, where we could see Big Ben, Westminster Abbey — which we had visited earlier — and the Houses of Parliament at the same time. A ride during sunset provided excellent photo opportunities from about 450 feet above the River Thames and created memories that will last for years.
Day two was a success for the group, and there was never a dull moment. The trip already feels like it is going by quickly, and we look forward to seeing what else London has in store.
Written by Jonathon Weir, finance, ’27; Kyle Steiner, finance and sports & entertainment management, ’27; and Ernst Vonfrankenburg, business administration and management (MBA), ’28
For further reading on the 2026 study abroad trip to London:
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Concordia University Wisconsin is a Lutheran higher education community committed to helping students develop in mind, body and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and the world. This study abroad experience is offered through the Concordia University Free Enterprise Center. During the first 8 weeks of the semester, students meet on campus to study the economy, government, politics and culture of the United Kingdom. The course concludes with a spring break trip to London, including a visit to Cambridge and Westfield House.
CUW offers more than 500 study abroad programs in 48 countries. Students have the opportunity to experience new cultures, broaden their global perspective and gain professional insight — all while earning a degree.
Expand your horizons. Experience the world.