Want to hear from a college student who studied abroad in England during the spring semester? We recently caught up with AIFS Abroad participant Nick from St. John Fisher University, an adolescent education and history major who participated in an Honors program in London.
Discover how Nick’s London Honors Experience with AIFS Abroad helped him advance his degree, make friends, and become a more confident person!
Choosing a Study Abroad Program
Choosing where and when to study abroad isn’t always easy, so it’s no wonder that some college students struggle to decide on a study abroad program. AIFS Abroad offers tons of incredible study and intern abroad programs for all kinds of students (plus a handy search tool!), making it much easier to find a program that fits your academic needs and personal preferences. Nick explained that his London Honors Experience just felt right:
“I chose my program because it seemed to fit my personality, and everything lined up with transferring back to my home university.”
Academics Abroad
Studying abroad is an opportunity to truly expand your academic horizons. When you take courses abroad, you’ll be exposed to new ways of thought, fresh international perspectives, and a global environment that challenges you to look at your subject matter in unique ways.
At the same time, studying abroad can help you stay on track academically and make progress toward your degree. Nick took advantage of his time at the AIFS Abroad Global Education Center (GEC) in London to fulfill multiple requirements while exploring subjects he may not have otherwise studied:
“I liked the options I had and the variety of classes they offered. I have never taken a class before on food or film, so to [learn about] something as common as [those subjects are] in everyday life, and go more in-depth with was pretty cool… I took classes for my electives, fulfilling my honors requirements for my home university, as well as a major class.”
When it came to a favorite class in London, one stood out in particular:
“My favorite class while abroad was my British Culture and Cuisine class. I liked it so much due to the vibes between my class and my professor; it was a good balance.”
Making Friends Abroad
While you’re welcome to study abroad with a friend from home, most students choose to set out alone and make friends at their program destination, as Nick did. Below, he describes his experience meeting people from his program:
“I did not know anyone in advance of my program! The process of making friends came very easily, and for that I am very thankful. About a month and a half before the program started, we were emailed a roster of everyone going with their names, numbers, and emails. One of us started a spreadsheet where we could drop our social medias, and all get to know each other better. I made a friend and we talked through Instagram, and because I had ‘met’ him, I became friends with him and all of his roommates once we were abroad. To this day and for the future, I am still extremely thankful I was blessed to be given such a great group of guys to explore the world with.”
Exploring Cultural Differences
One of the greatest benefits of studying abroad is the chance to truly immerse yourself in another culture. While cultural differences can sometimes lead to culture shock, Nick found that adjusting to life in London was more of a gradual transition than a major challenge:
“The only thing I was really shocked by when I arrived was how different getting around was. I was so used to driving, or at least being in a car, that when your main method of transport is either the trains or walking, it takes a while to get used to. My advice: bring AirPods so you can listen to music! It makes it so much more enjoyable and those long train rides go by faster.”
But it wasn’t long before Nick came to realize that the ability to walk almost everywhere in London was a huge benefit:
“One thing I really enjoyed about my host city’s culture is how there was so much to do within walking distance of even where I was staying. Although I cannot put it into practice at home back in a suburban area, I will be sure to [walk] more when I travel in the future.”
Personal Growth
Whether studying abroad will be your first or fifty-first time traveling, it’s an experience that will teach you to become more independent, adaptable, and resilient. As you discover a new culture and learn to solve problems on your own, you’ll find yourself growing in unexpected ways. For Nick, studying abroad taught him to be more self-assured:
“I became more trusting in myself. I started to be more confident in my ability to get places on my own, and trust that I could get somewhere I didn’t know efficiently.”
Study Abroad Advice from Nick
For those on the fence about studying abroad, Nick offers some advice that may help you make the decision of a lifetime—one he’s so glad he made:
“If I could give any advice to future study abroad students, it would be that you just need to go for it.Don’t be scared to get out of your comfort zone. And if you do, and you really enjoy it, you will never regret making that jump.”
Are you a student who’s ready to take the leap and study abroad like Nick did in London? We’d love to help you start your journey!
Here at AIFS Abroad, we’ve helped tons of college students study abroad, and we understand how exciting (or nerve-wracking!) this next step can be. Our programs are designed to make the journey feel smoother, easier, more enriching, and a lot more fun. From coordinating your housing to building in cultural activities, excursions, comprehensive insurance, 24/7 emergency support, on-site staff, and more, AIFS Abroad is here to help you make the most of your time abroad.
Don’t miss out on studying abroad—take Nick’s advice and make the jump!
