Because of our phenomenal advisers and professors on this trip, we were able to walk among the stones, an experience that many Stonehenge visitors aren't able to partake in. It is still a mystery as to how the constructors carried massive rocks to and from the site. I'm a complete history buff, so it was a pretty epic way to start out my birthday.

Afterward we traveled to the posh city of Bath and toured the architecturally genius Roman baths. It is unbelievable how intricate the engineers were in the designing of the baths during a period where everything was manual. The baths are all located underground and enclosed within a traditional Roman edifice. The baths have been renovated many times since their origination, but the brilliance behind the initial engineers is fascinating.

Afterward we had lunch at the adjoining restaurant, the Pump Room, and felt quite English while doing so. Some of us ordered tea and crumpets while we all sat outside and enjoyed the talents of the street performers.

The train ride back was strictly set aside for sleeping, as we experienced the London nightlife later on. People say New York is the city that never sleeps, but they have it mistaken. Following our night out we had to ride the buses because the tube (underground transportation) closes at a certain time.

Someway, somehow, we ended up at Abbey Road, which is the title of The Beatles' last studio-recorded album. We had no choice but to re-create the original album artwork and take many photos late into the night. And with that, my 20th birthday was complete. Celebrations mixed with history, friends, and a remarkable day across the pond.

The church has been an integral part of London for almost 300 years. John Newton, the songwriter behind "Amazing Grace," penned the universal hymn at St. Mary Woolnoth.

Our lecture was given by the director of the SMU-in-London program and Altshuler Distinguished Teaching Professor Rita Kirk.

She reminded us of the vast history within the walls of the church we were sitting in. How the exact man we are reading about came here to worship and have discourse with John Newton. Wilberforce was only a college student when he first addressed slavery in an essay contest and 21 years of age when he first took office.

Wilberforce took on the institution of slavery, which has never been completely abolished throughout the world. Dr. Kirk cited numbers of present-day slavery that elicited a sense of trauma in all of us. During Wilberforce's time, slavery was amplified much more, yet he still chose to bring down the immoral establishment.

Dr. Kirk reminded us to take intellectual responsibility of the precious time we have in the historical city of London, as we are the world's cream of the crop. Only 4 percent of the world has a college degree, so we must use our experience to its full potential.

An amazing way to start our lectures on the common reading novel, and an even more invigorating way to appreciate our education.

My first thoughts: Everyone smokes, it looks dreary, and someone is going to get hit with these narrow streets.

However, as I ventured past Heathrow airport into the urban sphere of London, I became infatuated. Within 2 hours of exploring the city I made the decision that London surpasses New York City as an international metropolis.

London is huge and extremely diverse, like NY, but the quaint nature, cascading trees, historical buildings, and international vibe is something that I have never experienced in the States before.

Yesterday there was a HUGE soccer match that England was playing in, so everywhere you heard fans screaming, holding flags, and singing in unison. It was fantastic to see the pride of this nation in full effect.

I'm still trying to get my bearings straight, but tomorrow will definitely help me out. I'm really going to try to write every night since experiences will be fresh in my head, but there is a FULL day planned with some amazing visits so I am off to bed!

In photos, from top: At Hyde Park, Trafalgar Square and Speaker's Corner.

This trip does coincide with my 20th birthday, however, that is not the reason I'll be in lovely London town. I am taking two courses (Post-War European Cinema and Philosophy of Freedom of Speech) within my major of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs. I'm used to filling my summers with internships and other learning experiences, but this is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will aid in the progression of my degree since I will a junior in the fall (crazy)!

We are staying at the beautiful Regents College and have some amazing professors traveling with us from SMU. The program already has trips planned to Scotland and Wales, but we are allotted two travel weekends, so I will definitely make the most of those.