A final day exploring London’s financial roots and British traditions.
This is the fifth 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.
Today we got dressed to the nines for our final day of planned adventures. Our first stop was in the Financial District at Lloyd’s of London. Lloyd’s began in a coffeehouse (more on this later) and started as an insurance company for ships. In fact, Lloyd’s insured the Titanic for £1,000,000, convinced it truly was unsinkable. Today, Lloyd’s serves as a marketplace for insurance and specializes in covering unique risks. Some of the most interesting examples we heard during our tour included insurance policies for celebrities’ legs, vocal cords and even chest hair.
Lloyd’s has had three “buildings” throughout its history: the original coffeehouse, a headquarters building and its current structure. The company moved locations several times because it continually outgrew its office space. To address this and create a building that could last for centuries, Lloyd’s architect designed the structure “inside out.” Its unique design places all the mechanical elements on the exterior, allowing for a large, open-concept interior. The primarily stainless steel and glass exterior is cleaned entirely by hand and takes nearly four months to complete — just in time for the team to start the process all over again. You definitely would not want to be on that janitorial staff.
After our tour of Lloyd’s, we met up with our guide, who walked us through much of London’s Financial District. Notable stops included the Bank of England, the Royal Exchange and the London Stock Exchange. As mentioned earlier, Lloyd’s began as a coffeehouse, and we learned there is a strong historical connection in London between finance and coffeehouses. We even saw the site of the first coffeehouse, which still has the original stone step from when it opened hundreds of years ago. It is now worn down from centuries of foot traffic. This is also where the phrase “mind your step” originated.
Coffeehouses were where many of London’s early financial exchanges began. They welcomed people from all backgrounds — from merchants to nobles — to participate in trading and discussions. During auctions in those days, a candle would be lit with a pin placed one inch from the bottom. Bidding could continue until the candle burned down and the pin dropped, which is where the saying “you could hear a pin drop” is said to originate.
After our financial district tour concluded, we headed to Fortnum & Mason for our formal afternoon tea experience. There we had the pleasure of tasting various famous teas alongside small bites, including sandwiches, scones and desserts. It was a wonderful opportunity to experience a unique British tradition and enjoy classic dishes.
To cap off the day, we headed to the West End to watch a live show at the Victoria Palace Theatre. Through laughter and tears (Jack), we experienced the story of Alexander Hamilton. The show gave us a deeper appreciation for Hamilton’s legacy and its connection to the development of financial institutions in the United States. It also offered a glimpse into the shared historical roots between America’s founding and England.
Overall, the day brought memorable experiences and provided a wonderful conclusion to our trip and our week.
Written by Julia Quartuccio, marketing with a minor in psychology, ’26; Noelle Smith, management and finance, ’26; Sierra Breuker, entrepreneurship with minors in nonprofit management and finance, ’27; and Merin Merkle, business management with a minor in ethics, ’27
For further reading on the 2026 study abroad trip to London:
- From worship to Wimbledon
- Stone, scripture and skyline
- Mind the gap and pardon the history
- From Cambridge reflections to a Premier League night
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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.