Studying abroad is a great way to gain cultural and social insight into other parts of the world. Just before the end of spring term, my friends and I had a weekend getaway to York, a beautiful walled city in north England that is renowned for its Roman, Viking and medieval heritage.
Among the architectural remains, the most iconic is York Minster. It is the largest gothic cathedral in northern Europe and has proudly risen above the city landscape in one form or another for more than 1,000 years.
The meticulously crafted statues and ceilings complement large stained glass windows that have witnessed hundreds of years of religious history. It is truly awe-inspiring and sure to provide immense satisfaction to anyone who has a huge appetite for photography.
Wandering along the narrow streets in town you eventually see the Shambles, another tourist hotspot. In York, a street is called a 'gate' and a gate is known as a 'bar'. Stonegate is derived from the Viking gata which means street, whereas Bootham Bar refers to a gate along the city wall that can be barred.
The Shambles has a unique architectural style. The first floor of each building overhangs into the street - as if the buildings were trying to lean towards each other. We thought the area looked like something from the Diagon Alley scenes in the Harry Potter movies.
After a day in the cold, we went into a cosy traditional pub and couldn't resist ordering a traditional Yorkshire pudding. The puffed batter dish is a staple part of the British Sunday roast. It is often served with roast beef and gravy.