Katherine Wistner, Global Business Institute: London Spring 2024
I have been back in the US for about a week now, and have really started reflecting on my amazing time abroad. I learned so much from this experience and have some advice I would share with anyone else planning to study on this program. First of all, I really encourage you to get out of your comfort zone! This may seem like it is inevitable because you are fully moving to a new country, and it is in some ways, but it is also easy to cling to what you are comfortable with. Your abroad cohort will be all American students, some of whom you may already be friends with. While it will be nice to have some familiarity while starting this new experience, don’t let it limit you from interacting with locals. Similarly, don’t be afraid to do things alone! I personally gained so much independence during my time abroad because I challenged myself to occasionally explore the city alone. This is a great way to immerse yourself in the culture while learning about yourself in the process.
One of the biggest things I was told and I now tell people is to prioritize spending time in your home country. Being in Europe with easy access to traveling all over the continent, it is easy to get swept up in all of that. Traveling to different places is so exciting and can offer really great experiences, but don’t forget about where you are actually living! I was able to find a great balance between both, but I really cherished my time spent in London. I gave myself enough time to hit all the tourist spots in London and also explore so much of the local culture. I chose to study abroad in London for a reason and I did not want to leave regretting not spending enough time there, so I recommend keeping that in mind when planning your weekend trips.
Finally, it is so important to document your experiences. Whether that be in the form of a journal, a photo album, or a social media account, you’re going to want something to keep these memories alive. Personally, I got postcards from London and everywhere else I traveled and wrote down my experiences on the postcards. Now, I can put them all in an album and have a chronological reflection of my time abroad. This truly is a once in a lifetime experience and while you want to live in the moment, you also want to remember all the moments!
This is a photo from my personal explorations around London in Notting Hill!
Leave a Reply