Celebrating life as an international student
Celebrating life as an international student
Ninety-nine days ago, we were 35 students from the University of Connecticut in the US on a coach from Heathrow anxiously looking out the window just trying to get a glimpse of the city we’d be living in for the next three months. Fast forward to present day, those same 35 students are now experienced world travellers and global citizens. With our semester in London coming to a close, we decided to ask our peers what they thought about the experiences they had while studying abroad for a few months.
What have you learnt after 99 days in the British capital?
“Trust myself first” - Haley Kramer, marketing
“Life lessons” - Trey Lerner, finance
“Eat. Explore. Live.” - Mandy Wong, finance
“Don’t be passive” - Alyssa Occhiboi, political science and human rights
“I am confident” - Allison Koehler, political science
“Living on my own” - Michelle Rand, communications
“Don’t be afraid” - Marcea Stilson, finance
“Take risks” - Kyle Shuckerow, accounting
“That I can be independent and happy” - Emily Towill, ACES
“Be open-minded” - Emily Quigley, marketing
“I can cook” - Victoria Huebner, marketing
“Live life” - Jane Hwang, finance
“Stand on your own two feet” - Corey Miller, economics/business
“Be open to different cultures” - Drew Scarfone, finance
“Bring extra underwear” - Jeffrey Estes, accounting
When asked ‘Why did you choose to come to London?’ most referenced that it had been an internship or volunteer program that brought them here. Only a few talked about the experiences they wanted to have in such a big city and the opportunities it allowed for travel. However, by the end of the programme the students tended to value the experiences they had outside of the office even more.
What was your most eye-opening experience?
“Discussions about politics. So many people have asked about Donald Trump and our presidential election, and it has been really interesting to see people criticise our political system.” – Emily Quigley.
One major aspect of a study abroad experience is the ease with which students are able to travel once they are in Europe, and the students we spoke with had all travelled extensively and it was clear that also seeing other cities in Europe has been an amazing experience.
Do you feel like you are missing out on your friends’ experiences back home?
“I occasionally miss my friends at home but overall I appreciate my experiences traveling over any partying my friends would be doing instead.” – Emily Towill.
What is one thing you couldn’t live without here?
“All the tea. And the tube.” – Michelle Rand
The tube featured in many replies. Coming from such a small university, in which you can walk from one side to the other in 20 minutes tops, a lot of us did not expect transportation to be so difficult or time-consuming. The tube system seems much easier to navigate than the subways in New York. It was definitely a difference for a lot of people when they realised it was taking half an hour to travel a mile away.
What scared you the most about studying abroad?
“Things changing while I am away” – Marcea Stilson
What do you miss the most?
“Knowing the customs and being comfortable.” – Jeffrey Estes
Would you stay longer if you could?
“I'm excited to see my family and friends but I am sad that I'll no longer have endless adventures right outside my front door once I leave London.” - Emily Towill.
Most of the group found the promise of seeing family and friends again almost made up for the fact that they were leaving such an amazing city. Most also agreed that if they could have their families and friends with them in London, they would never want to leave. London is a city with amazing opportunities for adventures. Just walking outside your door you can find something new to do. It is very different from the small Connecticut town we go to school in.
Two members of the group volunteered with Migrant Voice. Here are their parting thoughts:
“What study abroad really teaches you is how to be completely independent and enjoy it. Sure, it can be stressful being on your own, not knowing how to cook for yourself or how to buy a plane ticket correctly, but I think the simple fact that you are out of your comfort zone and aren’t able to have your friends and family with you in this new and confusing place is one of the biggest learning experiences any college student can have.
“A lot of people on a study abroad program might tend to cling to a group because they don’t want to feel alone in such a huge city. But doing things by myself was really liberating and taught me a lot about the type of person I am. Study abroad really is a great transition into adulthood - at least it was for me because it really makes you realise that your mistakes are your own and it is completely your own responsibility to fix them.” – Nicolette Hill
“Studying abroad has taught me more in three months than all of my other education experience combined. Prior to my arrival in London, I was the type of person who wouldn't be able to find their way out of a paper bag: I had absolutely no sense of direction. Now, I am great with directions and finding my way around cities that I have never even stepped foot in before. I have learned how to be independent, cook for myself, and how to survive without a phone and data. It has been the most freeing experience to travel from country to country, able to contact people only when there is wifi. However, it has also taught me that wifi is one of God’s greatest gifts to humanity.
“Most importantly, studying abroad has taught me how to be a citizen of the world, not just the United States. I find myself being more aware of what is going on politically all over the world and how we are all connected and affecting each other even when we aren't trying to.” – Kylie Bellissimo.