A capsule wardrobe is a collection of essential, versatile, and timeless clothing items that can be mixed and matched to create various outfits. By building a capsule wardrobe, you can reduce the number of clothing items you own while still having enough options to dress for any occasion. Because a typical capsule wardrobe consists of primarily neutral colors, it’s difficult to get sick of them very quickly. One reason why capsule wardrobes are so great is that when you have a smaller wardrobe, you are less likely to buy clothing items impulsively or wear them only once or twice before discarding them. This reduces the amount of clothing waste that ends up in landfills, which is a significant environmental problem. Another way these wardrobes help the environment is by lessening carbon emissions. Unfortunately, the fashion industry is responsible for a considerable amount of carbon emissions , mainly due to the production and transportation of clothing items. It was found that 10% of our annual global carbon emissions were due to the fashion industry. A frightening figure states that if this pace is maintained, the fashion industry’s greenhouse gas emissions will surge more than 50 percent by 2030. By buying fewer clothes and opting for timeless and high-quality pieces, you can reduce your carbon footprint. As I follow the fashion trends I see on social media, I’ve noticed a large shift in what’s “in” recently. Many influencers–and their fan bases–have looked to the “capsule wardrobe” blueprint as a new strategy for picking out clothing for their closet. Matilda Djerf , a Swedish fashion and lifestyle influencer I’ve been following for years, has unwaveringly been my primary source of inspiration for my fashion choices. Her looks never fail to feel effortless and beautifully curated, no matter what occasion. Djerf’s outfits often feature timeless, neutral pieces throwing in a tasteful pop of color here and there. She has shown me the guidelines for maintaining a capsule wardrobe and the beauty in basics. The influencer leans into simplicity when it comes to style, and shows that a closet can be built on things that can last a lifetime rather than what is trending currently. Despite the capsule wardrobe being beneficial to the environment, a large barrier to more people using it is that sustainable clothing options can often be quite expensive. Unfortunately, the prices of sustainable fabrics are, on average, two and a half to four times more expensive in comparison to more commonly used fabrics. This discrepancy is partly because they cost more for the manufacturers to produce, thus the increase in price. These sustainable–and pricey–options are then significantly less accessible to the general population. To combat this, I suggest integrating sustainable pieces into your wardrobe slowly and one by one. It’s unrealistic to think that you can form a capsule wardrobe overnight, as buying many expensive pieces at a time is not financially feasible for most people. Another way to make a capsule wardrobe easier to achieve is to sell old and outdated clothes on social e-commerce apps such as Depop or Poshmark, and then use that money towards buying timeless sustainable pieces. No matter what you choose to do with your wardrobe, there are so many styles out there–colorful and bright, or not–that are beautiful. If you are one to love color and can’t live without it, keep wearing it! But if you would like to change it up, creating a capsule wardrobe for yourself is a great and stylish option. One important thing, though, is to note how your wardrobe choices may impact the environment. In the modern day, with social media being so prevalent in our lives, we’re exposed to thousands of products or services to buy in a day. Many of these products are pushed out through trends and are not meant to last you, perpetuating a vicious cycle of consumerism that is only damaging the planet. By: Maddy Adler

When I was young, my family and I would have family movie nights semi-frequently. One night, my dad decided we should watch Back to the Future. My siblings and I excitedly made popcorn from a makeshift machine, soaked it in butter and fought over who got to sit where on the couch. Once we settled down and watched the movie, it quickly became one of my favourite films. Flash forward ten years, to the present day. I found myself walking through tube stations while being bombarded with advertisements for the West End theatre production of Back to the Future. I instantly knew I needed to see it. I dragged my new friends to come with me. When my friends and I got to the theatre, I made us wait in line for very overpriced popcorn, mainly for nostalgia. We quickly located our seats and had a fantastic view of the stage. The staff was friendly and helpful. The theatre was lovely. There were a bunch of Back to the Future decorations and puns. The show’s basic premise is as follows: Marty McFly, played by Ben Joyce, finds himself in a quirky friendship with Doc Brown, played by Roger Bart. Doc invented the time machine in his automobile. He was showing it off to Marty, when Doc quickly needed to be transported to the hospital. Marty revved up the engine to 88 miles per hour, the exact speed which triggered the time machine mechanism. Before he knew it, Marty found himself back in 1955 and spent the show trying his hardest not to cause too much trouble and find his way back to 1985. The casting of Doc Brown was undoubtedly one of the show’s highlights. Roger Bart gave an outstanding performance. He had the entire audience laughing hysterically. You could feel the emotion and passion with every word he acted out. Ben Joyce and Robert Bart had amazing on-stage chemistry. The banter between their characters was hilarious. Also, the special effects were among the best I have ever seen. When Marty was transported back in time, the car appeared to float above the crowd and flip in circles. It looked like magic. The entire theatre was flashing lights, which made the audience feel they were travelling through time. My only complaint would be that the theatre was excessively loud. Due to this, the audience’s ability to fully understand the pronunciation of some songs was hindered. Nonetheless, this did not diminish our capacity to enjoy the outstanding vocals or to understand the plot. Yet, some of the best lines in the programme come from song lyrics, and I wish I could have understood them better at the moment. With all that said, the foundation of good art, in my opinion, appeals to people of all ages. Someone as young as five years old can enjoy it just as much as someone as old as fifty or ninety years old. This production was timeless and appropriate for all audiences. My friends were ultimately grateful I dragged them out, as they thoroughly enjoyed it as well. One of my friends, Marissa, is a self-proclaimed “theatre geek”. She goes to a different show on the West End every weekend and says this was her favourite show she has seen in London so far. By: Jenna Goldberg Photograph: Sean Ebsworth Barnes

If I’ve learned anything since being in London so far, it’s how much more European countries care about sustainability than the United States. In terms of their differing approaches to climate change, England has significantly more sweeping measures put into place while America’s measures to combat climate change are much more fragmented. Instead of widespread acts like England has, such as the Climate Change Act and the Clean Air Act, America’s regulations are implemented by states and cities on their own. Another apparent disparity I’ve noticed between the two countries’ outlooks on the environment is how it is viewed by the general public. In America, climate change is a heavily political issue and inextricably linked to politics. Inversely, England’s general public has a much greater awareness of the need for sustainability and a higher level of public engagement on environmental issues. There is no crippling division in terms of their views on climate change. As an American, I was fascinated to hear this and experience it for myself. It’s interesting to see another highly-functioning world power that is not as polarized on specific issues as the United States is. It’s incredibly difficult to usher in change when a nation is consumed with how decisions affect politics, rather than its people directly. Much of the content in the classes that I’ve taken in London has been geared toward sustainability and the steps London takes to protect the health of the environment. On a class field trip this semester, we visited Covent Garden. Here, we learned a lot about the sustainability efforts made by businesses in London. Weaving through the bustling streets of Covent Garden with our tour guide, there was almost too much to marvel at. Polished, futuristic stores lined the streets, stunning eateries sat on every corner, and architecture with character and a modern spin graced the skyline. In a place with such an abundance of establishments to offer, I was surprised to find just how sustainable the area was that surrounded me. Before this tour, I often associated consumption with having a negative effect on the health of our environment. So, I was amazed to hear how the stores around me were making conscious efforts towards sustainability in unique ways. Although I was quite impressed by Covent Garden’s efforts in sustainability , there was one thing in the back of my head that I could not stop thinking about: the hefty price tag that unfortunately comes along with it. Many of the stores and restaurants we were passing were state-of-the-art and amazing, but their products were nowhere near cheap. Despite being backed by such a valuable mission, I found it to be quickly soured by how expensive these places were. It was interesting how such a cutting-edge, beautiful area is masking the most prominent problem at hand here when dealing with the climate crisis: how expensive it is to be able to afford things that are beneficial to the health of the environment. It’s upsetting to come to terms with the current situation that contributing to the environment requires a significant amount of wealth. Although there is a widespread civil interest to protect the environment–no matter how rich or how poor–it has become a luxury to be able to support businesses and companies pursuing environmental missions. We are undoubtedly making strides in the right direction, and any positive efforts toward sustainability should not go unnoticed. What is important, though, is identifying ways in which we can make options that benefit the planet more financially accessible to those that may be underprivileged or marginalized in society. By: Maddy Adler

According to the New Yorker, Imposter syndrome can best be defined as the nagging sense of self-doubt and fraudulence despite one’s accomplishments. Even if you accomplish something amazing, you are likely to dismiss it as luck or question what you did to deserve it. Imposter syndrome is especially prevalent in minority groups or anyone who is experiencing a “first”. I had my first bout of imposter syndrome in high school. I had just qualified for Nike Cross Nationals and Footlocker Nationals, the two most prestigious cross country invitationals in America. I was toeing the line next to all these other big names in the running world, and I couldn’t help but feel so ordinary, like there was a mix up which resulted with me on this stage. There was an immense power of rewiring my brain through simple yet powerful affirmations, such as, “I belong,” or “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t earn it.” I went on to earn all-american titles. It is not uncommon to feel unworthy of an academic accomplishment or a job title you just earned. My theory behind why this occurs is that as we take the next step up the ladder, we suddenly step into unknown territory. We are inevitably doing something new, and our brains are apprehensive of the uncertainty that comes with. I asked my parents for their take and experiences with imposter syndrome. My mother recently started a new job as a therapist and she reports she experiences imposter syndrome “all the time!” She says powerful affirmations help her as well. (The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!) Even big-time celebrities report experiencing imposter syndrome. Tom Hanks, an actor who has won an Academy Award, said in an interview with NPR, “No matter what we’ve done, there comes a point where you think, ‘How did I get here? When are they going to discover that I am, in fact, a fraud and take everything away from me?’” The first step to overcoming imposter syndrome is to recognize and challenge your own anxieties. It would probably be difficult and not very successful to fool everyone around you of your skills, especially when dealing with hard numbers, data, and other success measurement tactics. My mother and I both find a great help in saying positive affirmations to rewire our thinking patterns. You may also try making a list of all your achievements along with the positive traits that you possess that contributed to them. Creating an alter ego is another of my favourite techniques. The most fearless, astute, and successful version of oneself is this alter ego. Your alter ego has whatever you desire. Ask yourself, then do, what they would do. Practice stepping into their body and mind. If anything, remember that you are not alone, that you are capable of doing everything you set your mind to.

You Press Rewind was a celebration of the You Press community and our accomplishments in 2022. Being a new intern, attending You Press Rewind was a fantastic, immersive experience. I was able to actively learn about 2022’s amazing accomplishments and programmes, as well as speak with some of our partners, freelancers, and clients. The guests were greeted with a lovely pastry and refreshments display. 2022 was truly a year of expansion for You Press. The highlights include the Design thinking video, Theory of Change video, Truth on the Roof video, ScribersHive Europe, Functional Learning Program, Creative Connect Events, and our 10+ year anniversary. The Good Hotel in Newham, London hosted You Press Rewind. This hotel was particularly impressive to me because it was situated on the water (literally, it floats). The panoramic views of the lake were the cherry on top. A representative from the Good Hotel spoke briefly, explaining how the hotel was previously an old abandoned accommodation platform that Marten Dresen purchased and floated across from Amsterdam to its current site. A key feature of You Press Rewind was Namuga’s performance. Namuga is an alumni from The Collective and sang a few of her original songs, my favorite being Temporary Love. Her music brought the ideal ambiance to carry over the rest of the event because it was evidently passionate, lively, yet still relaxing. When I looked around the room, I saw most people tapping their feet or bobbing their heads to the beat. You can find her on Instagram and Spotify @ Namugaamusic What really stood out to me was everyone’s altruistic nature towards supporting their local, cohesive communities. Community, as defined by You Press founder and director Farah Mohumand, meant “common unity.” Farah used this definition to emphasize how the major accomplishments of 2022 would not have been possible without the assistance of partners and the community that our workshops have fostered. Farah gave the audience members a chance to speak on behalf of their organizations and discuss how we can support them in achieving their objectives in 2023. This was truly additive to the “common unity” theme of the morning. As a new intern, it was really neat to hear people take the time to publicly announce how You Press has positively impacted their respective businesses and communities. As the event was coming to an end and was giving his final message, Farah stated “this isn’t a final message, but this is the beginning.” I thoroughly appreciated You Press Rewind because often, as people, we get so caught up in progress that we forget to recognise how far we have already come or to pause and ask for support from our communities. By: Jenna Goldberg

As an African American woman, I was worried about what to do with my hair while abroad in London. Before I left, I decided to get knotless braids in my hair. I could keep the braids in my hair for three months at most. But, my study abroad experience was about four months long. Therefore, I didn’t have a concrete plan for what to do with my hair after the braids. I could have done my hair naturally, but I had heat damage, which means some of my hair would not curl when wet. So, my hair didn’t look right when done at home. This problem had to get fixed professionally.  A person’s hair is a part of their identity. As a child, I did not like my naturally curly hair. It made me feel out of place, especially around my white friends. It wasn’t until recently that I became comfortable with my natural hair. I could tell how it boosted my confidence. I felt more like my authentic self.  It can be a struggle for African Americans to do their hair while traveling. Our hair requires a lot of products and space to work. In addition, the process can be rather messy. This would be especially troubling for me because, in my apartment, I share my room with one roommate and a bathroom with three people. Luckily, my friend studied abroad in London the semester before me, and she found a place that did natural hair. She said they did great. So I decided to give it a try.  For approximately three months of my abroad experience, I wore my braids. The day before my appointment, I took them out myself. About 300 braids later, I finished. It took me all day. The next day I went to Curl Talk in Brick Lane . The minute I walked into the shop, I knew I made the right choice. They started my hair right on time. First, my stylist did a short consultation. Then she washed and conditioned my hair. While washing my hair, she told me what products she was using. She also said she would show me all the products she used in my hair after the appointment. Then, she gave me a hydration mist treatment which took about 10 minutes. Afterward, the stylist rinsed and further conditioned my hair. Then she styled my hair. For this part of the process, she reclined the seat I was sitting in and did my hair while I was horizontal. This part of the process took approximately an hour. But it was amazing. She gave me a mirror to watch the process and explained what she was doing. I felt like I was in a hair training session. At the end of the session, she even allowed me to add a trim to my appointment. Once I paid, I was shown all the products used in my hair and was allowed to take pictures. She even took pictures of my hair with the ring light. Overall my hair looked great, and the experience was more than satisfactory. I booked another appointment for my last week here.  Before coming to London, I didn’t know of a shop like Curl Talk in my area back home. Therefore, I was not sure how hard it would be to find one in London. “A study by Habia revealed that there are over 35,000 beauty salons in the UK, but somehow only 302 are Afro-Caribbean hair specialist registered salons,” (Mamona, 2021). I am thankful I found this salon in London to do my hair. They were even able to help me find a similar salon near my hometown. By: Chloe Franklin

On September 27, 2006, Wicked debuted in London, United Kingdom. And on March 29, 2023, I saw the play for the first time at the Apollo Victoria Theatre in London. In addition, this was the first show I had seen since beginning my study abroad experience in January. I secured tickets through my host program, FIE, for only 25 pounds. And we had good seats. Overall the performance was amazing.  The show lasted for approximately 3 hours with a 10-minute intermission. But it didn’t feel that long. In a way, it felt like I was at a movie theatre. We could scan a QR code and order food on our phones. Once the order was processed, someone would bring your order to your seat. That enhanced the experience. I did not have to wait in line at concessions to buy refreshments. In addition, the workers were fast. The theatre brought my order to my seat in under five minutes. I ordered sweet and salty popcorn and water. The popcorn was so good that I couldn’t put it down. The seats were comfortable, and my view was great because I sat beside the aisle. While waiting for the show to start, I took note of the set. And of course, I took a couple of pictures. The stage was extravagant and intricate. There was a dragon at the top of the ceiling. But, I did not expect the effects I would see throughout the show. There was fog, lightning, people suspended in the air, and the dragon on the ceiling could move. The most impressive effect was the Wizard of Oz. A massive head was suspended over a chair that could move and talk. It would light up and have a booming voice. I was impressed. It left me wondering how someone built something so impressive and complicated.  Throughout the show, I was captivated. The performers were good at acting and singing. The performer who played Glinda had a powerful and commanding voice. When she sang, you couldn’t help but pay attention. She also hit opera notes which made her performance even more impressive. In my opinion, she was the strongest singer. A close second would be the actress who played Elphaba. Her runs and high notes were breathtaking. She had a way of conveying so much emotion through her singing. Beyond that, her acting was spot-on. She was supposed to be snarky and evil, and she played the part perfectly. I thought her acting performance was the best. The storyline was also captivating. Since I had no previous experience with Wicked, I didn’t know how the story would progress. The entire time, I wondered how it would end. I watched The Wizard of Oz as a child but Wicked provided the backstory I was missing.  At the end of the performance, everyone was on their feet giving the performers a round of applause. Seeing this show made me want to see more shows while in London. By: Chloe Franklin

The demands of work and personal life can very often conflict. Growing up, becoming independent, and starting a “real job” can be intimidating, especially when you have other priorities in your life that are unrelated to your professional career. At times, it feels like there are not nearly enough hours in the day to do what you want to do which can be quite overwhelming. In recent years, a large emphasis has been placed on the so-called “ work-life balance ,” and that importance has been rightfully earned. Although everyone’s idea of this balance is subjective, it’s still necessary to know how to carry it out. Working excessively long hours daily can lead to burnout , which can have various negative mental effects. Burnout can then decrease motivation and focus, cause confusion, increase the risk of making job errors, and reduce your total productivity. Unfortunately, the burnout phenomenon is not uncommon. According to research conducted by Westfield Health , almost half (46%) of UK workers are close to burnout. Here are ways in which you can maintain this balance to sustain a fulfilling life–both professionally and socially–that will keep you sane throughout the week and avoid burnout. There’s nothing quite like being able to look forward to something exciting, especially after working hard all day. Personally, something that has helped me find a balance between the conflicting pressures of professional life and personal life has been scheduling things to look forward to at the end of a workday. This can entail anything you find enjoyable. From making a reservation for dinner with a friend, to getting tickets to see a movie you’ve been wanting to see, to ordering in your favorite meal and playing board games with your family. It doesn’t have to be extravagant: you can do whatever makes you happy. But what’s important is the planning that goes into it. It’s easy to let things you want to do slip through the cracks, especially when you’re busy with work. Thinking ahead and cementing a specific plan is the key to making sure you’re taking time for yourself outside of the workplace. Another thing found to be quite helpful in finding a work-life balance is setting boundaries and having open communication with your employer or supervisor. It’s incredibly important to set and communicate working hours with the person that delegates tasks to you. Many times, work life can bleed into personal life because there is no solid conversation to indicate when the employee will be working or not. Making sure there are clear boundaries will help you separate work time from personal time. It’s also important to have open and honest communication with your supervisor. Being able to express that you have too heavy of a workload will help your supervisor know that the amount of work they’re giving you is too overwhelming and, hopefully, will cut back on it. Health is integral to feeling good, working well, and getting to experience life outside of the workplace: it is at the epicenter of what makes a good work-life balance. Because of this, it’s important to carve out times to prioritize your health and do things that make you feel good. There are many fun ways to do this, even during the workday. One thing I love to do for this takes place during my lunch break. I often go on a walk with a fellow intern outside. The fresh air is great to recharge your mind and helps break up the monotony of a workday. As an intern in London taking classes simultaneously, I’ve come to learn how necessary a work-life balance is to avoid burnout and be able to have fulfilling social and professional lives. By: Maddy Adler

There have been many charming cultural differences that I’ve encountered since getting to London and living here as an American abroad student. However, there have been larger differences that have changed the way I look at the world and, more specifically, look at America on a global scale. One of those prominent differences is my home nation’s stance on guns compared to England’s and the rest of Europe’s. In recent events, there was a devastating school shooting in Nashville, Tennessee . A former 28-year-old student of Covenant School returned and killed six people, including 3 children and 3 adults on Monday, the 27th of March. The shooter was armed with three guns, including a semi-automatic rifle. All of these were obtained legally per the gun laws within the state. Despite having been treated for a mental health disorder, this was no hindrance to acquiring these weapons. Someone actively struggling mentally was able to go out and purchase guns that could take precious, undeserving lives in just seconds. How senseless are we to legally protect the rights of inanimate objects over our own citizens? It’s time to wake up. When you grow up in a nation whose gun culture is instilled in the very words of the document it was built on, there is a shocking normalization towards objects that can be used to end a person’s life. It is unfathomable that America places so much importance on the right to purchase and own guns, especially given that this right was formed in a reality almost three hundred years ago that could not look more different than the modern day. After having lived abroad for over two months, I’ve come to realize that I now walk onto public transportation or through a crowded shopping center significantly less on edge. I no longer think about the fastest way to escape an enclosed area in case of an emergency. Although there is no shortage of crime in Europe, it doesn’t feel like any place I go can be turned into a shooting range at any moment. It’s made me realise how abnormal and heightened my fear of guns is, simply because of the political climate in the States and the failure of legislators to meet citizens’ needs. Headline after headline lights up my phone. “3 dead”… “6 killed in mass shooting”… “leaves 8 children dead”. What has begun to haunt me is the sense of normalcy that is felt when I read these things. My heart, of course, still drops when I read a new headline detailing a mass shooting. However, there have been so many instances of this happening, that it feels like a miserable routine. As an American, I have become desensitised to events that are considered tragic–and relatively rare compared to the rest of the world. There is a sense of normalcy to occurrences that are nowhere near remotely normal. I have begun to realize how unique this is to America, which makes the issue even more frustrating. The United States is gridlocked and polarised on the issue. Very little progress can be made given the current political landscape. Living in the United Kingdom, where some of the world’s strictest gun-ownership laws are implemented, has shown me that there is a whole other world without living in constant fear of gun violence. In 1996, the Dunblane massacre occurred in Scotland when 43-year-old Thomas Hamilton used legally owned handguns to kill 17 people: 16 students aged 5-6 and one teacher. After that, there was widespread revulsion against guns. The Conservative government banned all handguns except for .22 caliber single-shot weapons. The Labour government following banned all handguns as well as .22 caliber single-shot weapons. After these regulations were tightened, there has only been one mass shooting that took place in 2010 in Whitehaven, a part of northern England. In comparison, the Gun Violence Archive has counted 130 mass shootings in 2023 in the United States alone. I am an American and I have been conditioned to fear for my life when I walk on the streets. I fear for myself, my family, my friends, and the generations that follow me. Yes, the Brits do tea and scones very well. But, they also know how to prioritize and keep their people safe: an area that America severely lacks in. By: Maddy Adler

The Paddington Arts Photo Walk Exhibition opened this past Wednesday, the 23rd of March, at Paddington Central. The exhibition featured a selection of photographs and collages that children from three local primary schools created in 2021 and 2022. Photographer Steve Shaw and artist Gail Astbury encouraged the children to shoot interesting and unique photographs with their cameras. Throughout the exhibition, the whimsical, carefree feeling of childhood stood out in the artwork. Pictures of the children doing silly faces, making funny poses, and just being themselves lined the walls of the exhibit. There were also photographs, taken by the children as well, of colorful objects and designs that made the exhibit very eye-catching. The photographs were integrated into a collage-style layout with each one complimenting the next and fitting cohesively together. Apart from the children, there was another starstudded guest attending the exhibition. This guest was Hamza Taouzzale, The Right Worshipful Lord Mayor of Westminster. Taouzzle gazed at and took in the artwork for a while, admiring the creativity of the young children. He also addressed the children, praising them for their drive and enthusiasm for the arts. Despite his busy schedule, he stayed after for the slew of questions that the children had for him and gladly answered whatever he could. Being able to witness the joy that these children experienced when seeing their artwork displayed in the exhibit was a very fulfilling experience. Feeling like your art matters is so important, and only continues to make us realize how important the work we do at You Press is. It was a wonderful experience being able to attend this event and was an honor to be able to celebrate the next generation of artists. By: Maddy Adler

Growing up in New York, I was raised on some of the most iconic Broadway shows performed by some very incredible actors. I was privileged to be able to live by and experience the epicenter of the theater industry, and have always been fascinated with live theater as an art. A large part of why I chose to study abroad in London is because of the amazing West End theatre and what it has to offer. After taking a class on media in Britain and learning about the intricacies of British humor, I grew interested in comparing the American media I am used to and the British media that I am immersed in as a study abroad student. However, much of the British media I’ve seen has been in the form of movies or television shows. I figured that it would be interesting to see how this form of entertainment, rather than pre-recorded movies or TV, would compare. When my parents came to visit me the other week, we decided to go see The Unfriend , a dark comedy written by highly-accredited Steven Moffat . The play focuses on Peter and Debbie, a British couple who are parents to Alex and Rosie. It begins on a cruise, with Peter and Debbie meeting Elsa, a flamboyant and hilarious American. Sporting her velour tracksuit and oversized sunglasses, Elsa’s personality and presence had the audience laughing from the moment she came on stage. What makes Elsa’s character even funnier, is that Peter and Debbie end up finding out she is a serial killer after having invited her to their family’s home. Upon a quick Google search, it was found that she was tied to a string of 6 murders, one murder having been her own husband. To their dismay, Elsa arrived days before she was supposed to. The couple was no longer able to send a quick email letting her know she would no longer be able to come. Instead, they were forced to confront her in person, making for a very uncomfortable yet humorous rest of the show. The typical “British politeness” is something I’ve noticed a lot in British media. It very evidently comes into play during the performance as manners often get in the way of Peter and Debbie’s desires. This internal conflict between wanting to be polite in true British nature, versus the motivations they have for themselves as parents calls for a very cringe yet funny dynamic between the cast of characters. Much of the comedy within the performance was built from awkward situations, which I found very charming and unique as an American. One thing I did notice was that the sets and costumes were very mundane. The majority of the play took place on the set of a typical family home. This normally would be slightly off-putting for me in media as I often admire elaborate costumes or set designs. The comedy and plot itself were also simplistic, but in reality, added much to the show. There was no trying too hard that made it cheesy. It felt real and more so an imitation of life, rather than a dramatization like I often find to be the case in American media. This is what I particularly loved about the play: unlike American media, British media leans more into simplicity and relies on good writing and acting to make it a successful piece of art rather than material grandeur. Overall, I had a great time watching The Unfriend and highly recommended it to anyone looking for a laugh. It has undoubtedly been one of my favorite shows I’ve seen in a while and has proven to be widely popular across the board. By: Maddy Adler

When I started in the FIE study abroad program , they provided a list of events we could do. One that stood out to me was the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London . I am a big fan of Harry Potter. I began watching the movies when I was a pre-teen. And a couple of years ago, I read all of the books. I read all seven in three weeks. As I said, I am a huge fan. In addition, one of the abroad courses I enrolled in was Harry Potter: Magic, Myth, and Meaning. Therefore, it was a no-brainer to do the studio tour.  I 100% recommend doing the studio tour if you are a fan of Harry Potter. The tour cost approximately 51 pounds. It is kid-friendly, adult-friendly, and a great experience whether you are a huge fan or just interested in the series. When we arrived, we had approximately two hours before our ride would pick us up. The beginning of the tour was what I expected. We walked through rooms with pictures and items from the series on display. Then we all huddled together to watch a video detailing the tour. Next, they ushered us into a space that resembled a movie theatre. When the video ended, the screen rose to the ceiling, and the famous doors leading to the Great Hall from the series appeared. My jaw dropped. We walked through the great hall and got to experience what it would be like to be in one of the scenes with special effects. We then walked through a big room with countless original and famous things from the movies. It was crazy to walk through the different sets where they filmed. Once we made our way through the Forbidden Forest, we arrived at one of my favorite parts of the tour. We walked through platform 9 ¾. We were able to walk through the Hogwarts Express. After the train, we realized the bus would arrive to pick us up in 20 minutes, and we were only halfway through the tour. But my friends and I agreed we weren’t leaving without seeing the rest. So, we decided to pay for our own transportation home. It was the best decision. We ended up staying for another hour. Halfway through, we stopped in the cafeteria to eat food and the famous Harry Potter butterbeer. The butterbeer was the best part of the tour. We then were able to walk through more famous sets from the movie. We walked through Harry’s house, Gringotts bank, and more. We got to see some of the special effects from the movie and take lots of pictures. It was worth the money I had to pay for an uber home.  Overall this was a great experience. It was an interactive and worthwhile experience for fans of the series. My advice is to plan to be at the studio for at least three hours, prepare to become addicted to the butterbeer, and have plenty of storage on your phone for the photos. I rate the experience a 10/10. By: Chloe Franklin