Old Spitalfields Market & Local Cat Cafe – Last Week at NYU London!

Hi everyone! I can’t believe this will be my last time writing an FEA blog – this semester has flown by so fast and I’m upset that I have to say goodbye to London. I’m at least glad that my final essays are completed so I can finally relax at home during the holidays with my family! This week I enjoyed visiting Primrose Hill, Old Spitalfields Market, and a local cat cafe called Java Whiskers.

On Friday, I took the tube to Primrose Hill, just north of Regent’s Park. At the top of the hill is one of the six protected viewpoints in London. The hill summit has a clear view of central London, as well as Hampstead and Belsize Park to the north. From where I was sitting, I could see famous landmarks such as the London Eye, the Shard, St. Paul’s Cathedral and Big Ben! Just next to the hill are independent businesses, shops, and cafes. The neighborhood is made up of an eclectic mix of brick Victorian terraced houses, pastel-painted homes, and more modern buildings.

During the weekend, I visited Old Spitalfields Market – a daily market that is home to a handpicked selection of traders, craftsmen, artists and artisans. Built in 1876, it is one of the finest surviving Victorian Market Halls in the capital. Nestled in the cobbled streets between Brick Lane and Bishopsgate, Old Spitalfields Market is steeped in history; a market has operated on the site since the 1600s. In the center of the market floor you will find ‘The Kitchens’ where they showcase exceptional contemporary, street food cooking. In addition to ‘The Kitchens’, visitors will also find vintage, sustainability, art and makers markets, beloved fashion brands and independents, design and lifestyle stores. I enjoyed walking around and taking in all the variety of shops. Before heading home, I made sure to try some delicious pulled pork poke bowl from Honi Poke.

The next day, my friend and I decided to dine at a local cat cafe called Java Whiskers in Marylebone. The cafe is a foster home for homeless cats and all cats/kittens are available for adoption. We enjoyed our time sipping on hot chocolate as we pet and played with the playful cats. It was a bittersweet afternoon since it would be my last time seeing my friend in London!

Overall, my study abroad experience in London was incredibly valuable and my classes that I enrolled in (i.e., health policy, child and adolescent mental health) have confirmed my interest in pursuing a public health career trajectory. Moreover, my internship as a communications intern at the Institute of Women and Children’s Health at King’s College London has enabled me to develop critical skills necessary for succeeding in the public health industry, such as designing health information output (i.e., infographics, animation videos, flyers) and networking with stakeholders.

I’m very grateful for the opportunity to study abroad and could not have been able to do it without the support from FEA! Thank you, all, for reading my blogs – I’m so glad that I’ve gotten to share this unique experience with you.