I believe the fact that there was no guarantee that you would have the same major as someone else and almost everyone going didn't know each other, but were still eager to meet other students motivated me into studying abroad before stepping foot on campus. I think that it made for a great mix of people who may have typically not found each other on campus due to different interests but were able to make great friendships and bonds over the shared experiences of studying and navigating through a foreign country together. 

London has a great mix of old and new with the buildings and culture as well which made it a very interesting place to study. If you enjoy art and theatre there is no shortage in London. If you are more interested in the food and nightlife scene then there is plenty of that as well. There is something for everyone, and it is exciting to try new things. 

During the program we went on a boat tour as a large group which was very memorable. It was a great way to see the city, and you were able to socialize with the whole group and meet some people that you may not have met in class yet. It was overall a very fun environment!

I believe that studying abroad makes you grow a lot as a person because you become more worldly as well as more self-sufficient and independent in the process. I definitely experienced a growth in independence and also feel more comfortable about managing my course work on my own after having done it in another country and balancing all the exploring and school work. 

I thought that the team in London and the UK government handled COVID very well. We did have to quarantine but it was a great bonding opportunity for me and my roommates. We were also tested twice a week which didn't feel like too much and was a very easy at home test that made everyone feel better given that London was almost entirely open due to the high number of vaccinated citizens.

Ellis Gibson

Advancing Your Academic Success: Pre-Freshman Studies in London, Summer 2022