More than anything, working in an office in the center of London has taught me a lot more than taking a couple of classes did. All emails are to be addressed very formally; even inter-office emails between colleagues are proper. Once an hour or so, someone jumps up and gets everyone a round of tea.

But it wasn’t just office customs that gave me insight into the Brits; talking to my co-workers taught me a lot more—everything from why Queen Elizabeth’s husband is a prince rather than a king to the political and social as well as religious importance of the Christmas season.

Working in a foreign country was an invaluable experience. I was completely immersed in another culture. News from home seemed very far away. Except for Facebook and Skype, I was completely set apart from home. And it was incredible.