IES Abroad London - Study London : Testimonials (London)
The following program testimonial responses have been selected for publication by Office of International Programs
We want to hear about your experience!
Why did you choose this program?
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I chose IES London initially because I had fallen in love with England during my sophomore year when I traveled to Oxford for Interim. I wanted to spend more time in England, and IES London was my best option for that. My major was also a factor in my decision, and studying abroad in London as an English major was a dream come true. To study English literature in the United Kingdom was too good of an opportunity to pass up.
— Laura Marion, Spring 2012 |
What was your favorite aspect of this program?
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My favorite part about IES London was the field trips that were planned by IES, both in and out of class. IES London does a wonderful job planning weekend trips and day trips to places all over the UK, and field trips are really encouraged for class time. I think this was really important because it allowed us to engage with the culture more and have genuine interactions with British people. It also helped us form closer relationships with the
— Laura Marion, Spring 2012 |
What was your housing situation like?
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I lived in the IES Residence Hall in Chelsea, London, which is one of the nicest and safest areas of London to live and work in. It was a great place to live because we were close to all the major attractions of London, but there was still a neighborhood type feel to it. We had a 40 minute commute to school each day, but I actually learned to enjoy it, because I got to see a lot of the city that way. Our rooms were really small, but that encouraged us to be out in the city exploring as much as possible.
— Laura Marion, Spring 2012 |
What was your favorite class and why?
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I loved all my classes equally for different reasons, and I loved all of my professors and built close personal relationships with them. But the class I got the most out of is probably my Architecture of London class. In that class, we went on field trips for 12 out of the 14 class meetings of the semester. It allowed me to gain an insight into an aspect of British culture that I didn't really know a lot about before I studied abroad. It also showed me the diversity of London, and helped me become more familiar with the city.
— Laura Marion, Spring 2012 |
What did you gain from studying abroad?
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I gained so much from my study abroad program, and it's hard to put in words. For starters, it allowed me to see parts of the world and have experiences that I probably would not get to have on my own, like playing with reindeer in the highlands of Scotland and honoring the fallen soldiers of World War I in Belgium. Studying abroad also gave me profound insight into the culture of another country, and allowed me to immerse myself so deeply in that culture that I found it incredibly difficult to leave the UK behind and return to the United States. Studying abroad helped me become more independent, confident, and flexible, and it also helped me discover my true passion and career path. It redefined my personal and academic life, and gave me a whole new global perspective. I think deciding to study abroad is the best decision I have ever made.
— Laura Marion, Spring 2012 |