On Jan. 9, I packed a few suitcases, boarded a plane, and left behind a life I knew so well, at least temporarily. For the sake of adventure, I tried something new: I decided to study abroad during the spring semester, and I’m so glad I did. Along the way, I made new friends, explored new places, and dared to do something younger me would’ve been terrified to do. I pushed my boundaries and proved to myself that I am capable of so much more than I thought. Without further introduction, here’s how I spent my quality time across the pond.
giving london its flowers
Of course, during my time abroad, I traveled to so many new countries. But before getting into that, I want to give London the spotlight it deserves. With world-famous monuments, a melting pot of cultures, a thriving theater scene, and so many green spaces, London truly has something for everyone. There’s a reason the city attracts so many tourists every year; there’s a broad list of activities for a wide range of interests.
One of my favorite things that I experienced in London was the live performances. Among them, I was lucky enough to attend one of the most popular shows on the West End, Paddington: The Musical. It was an absolutely incredible show with talented performers, and Paddington himself nearly made me cry. It was so touching, and I’m very excited to see the Broadway transfer soon!
While in London, I took classes that did an exemplary job of combining classroom instruction with real-world application. During many of my classes, we took trips to parts of London I might not have explored otherwise. One of my favorite class trips was during my Introduction to Sustainable Cities class, where we ventured to the WWT London Wetland Centre. I loved this trip because I got to observe lots of cool animals and explore wetlands, which was new terrain for me. In my Modern Drama class, we got to see performances as part of the class. Among them were Into the Woods and Manic Street Creature, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
the travel
London aside, I got to visit so many new places, both within England and outside the country. One of my favorite places I visited in England was Bath. It was very charming and had beautiful architecture that felt as though I was stepping into a period piece. Visiting the Roman baths after discussing them in my high school Latin class was incredibly surreal. I also enjoyed my trip to the Seven Sisters Cliffs in East Sussex; it was a long hike, but absolutely worth it for the view!
Outside of England, my favorite places I traveled to were Paris and Rome. I went to both of those cities twice, and I became so enamored with each one. Rome touched my heart because I’m Italian, and it was incredible to finally visit the place of my ancestors. Paris was so charming, and I finally understood why people speak highly of it. I also got to visit Disneyland Paris, and as a Disney theme park lover, that was an awesome experience too. Aside from my favorites, I also traveled to Dublin, Stockholm, and Edinburgh, among many others. I am grateful I could visit so many other places during the weekends, especially since the flights were accessible, affordable, and relatively short.
what i learned
During my time abroad, I learned many valuable lessons. I learned that your problems will follow you, even to another country. However, being in a new environment equipped me with important skills to tackle my problems, allowing me to mature as well. I also learned that the best way to experience a new culture is by putting yourself out there and allowing yourself to be fully immersed. It may seem intimidating at first, but ultimately you’ll be glad you did it. Without this experience, I would be a very different person today. Studying abroad showed me that there’s so much to enjoy outside of your comfort zone, you just have to be willing to take that leap.
“In London everyone is different, and that means anyone can fit in.”
Paddington
final thoughts
If you’re considering studying abroad during your time in college, this is your sign to go for it! You’ll meet so many people from all different walks of life, push your limits, and ultimately become a person who’s changed for the better. I still think about my time there every day, and I can’t wait to return to London someday.