Hundreds of students study abroad at Fordham London each year—nearly 600 in 2024–2025, a record number—and Stefano Masi helps each one settle into their new home.
As Fordham London’s student housing manager, Masi says his door is always open for students, many of whom are living outside the U.S. for the first time. “I like to create a bond with them,” he said, “so they know they have somebody they can talk to and count on.”
Masi is also living abroad—he hails from Tuscany. “The Clerkenwell area was, for many years, the ‘Little Italy’ of London. … It’s something we bring up with students, especially those from Rose Hill.”
He’s going on five years in London, and knows the city like a local now. So if you visit Fordham London—or want to plan a trip across the pond—Masi shared his favorite things to see and do in the city that go beyond Big Ben.
Cruise Along the Thames
Masi recommends taking in London’s sights aboard an Uber Boat along the River Thames. “An entire journey from east to west takes about an hour and a half. You go through central London, see the skyline, the Tate Modern, and end in front of Westminster.”
Head to the Beginning of Time
Ride the Uber Boat to Greenwich, home to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), the historical basis for the world’s time zones.
“It has a small-town feeling. There’s a beautiful park, the maritime museum, and Paul Rhodes is a very nice bakery for coffee and pastry.”
Go Museum Hopping for Free
“Most of the museums’ permanent collections are free,” said Masi. That includes the National Gallery, the Victoria and Albert Museum (the V&A), and the Tate Modern.
Docklands museum is one of his favorites—“It really shows the history of the area and the people.” A current exhibit features treasures found along the Thames riverbanks over the centuries, from a B.C.-era bronze helmet to a 1920s prosthetic eye.
Hit the Pub for a Proper Sunday Roast
“We always say British food is not the best … but going to a pub for a meal is definitely something I would recommend.” His go-to is The Mayflower, near the dock where the famous ship was moored before it set sail from Plymouth, England. “I go there for Sunday roast,” he said.
Lunch on Leather Lane
London is filled with open-air markets for shopping and eating. Two minutes away from Fordham London is Leather Lane Market.
“It’s been around since the 1600s. It’s where I grab lunch and where a lot of students go—it’s a nice break,” said Masi.
Explore London by Bike
“I love biking,” said Masi. A typical morning for him might mean hopping on his bike by 6:30 a.m. to meet friends in Regent’s Park, cycling past the giraffes and zebras in London Zoo, then stopping for coffee before heading to work. When he has more time for riding, he heads to Richmond Park, “the largest park in London, with seven-mile loops, gravel paths, and deer walking right next to you. It’s a cyclist’s paradise.” To rent a bike in London, look for Santander Cycles, the equivalent of CitiBike in NYC.
Score West End Theater Deals
“Seeing musicals [and plays]in London is a must, especially for people from New York—it’s a lot cheaper. You can get seats for under $90 and the shows are often the same ones.”
Stereophonic, for instance, which won the 2024 Tony for Best Play, is now in London through October 2025 with the original U.S. cast, and tickets start at £20, or $26.
