Story Location: England
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Summer Study Abroad in London: Big Lessons from In and Out of the Classroom
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When I first decided to study abroad in London, I expected to learn about negotiation, the subject of my summer class. I didn’t expect to learn so much about myself. As a Division I swimmer at Vanderbilt University, I’m used to structure. My days are carefully planned around practices, workouts, classes, studying, and recovery. Every…
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How Three Weeks of Study Abroad at Oxford University Pack a Punch
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University of Melbourne student Cindy L.—a double major in linguistics and psychology—reflected on her summer experience at one the world’s most prestigious universities: A powerful way to learn The Oxford teaching method—which involves lectures, seminars, tutorials, and much reading— really invigorated me to think deeply and critically, especially since I’d chosen a course outside of…
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The Most Valuable Thing I Packed Was My Passport
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When I arrived in London to study abroad, I expected to travel, gain independence, and learn from living in a new country. I did not expect one of my biggest lessons to be about privilege. As a first-generation student and Muslim woman growing up in Detroit, privilege was not something I often associated with myself.…
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Cooking in London: How Routines Help You Feel at Home During Study Abroad
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Everything is more expensive in London, especially food. Cooking at home became an essential part of my daily routine, not only to have a mental break from academics, but also to save money. Finding a routine that worked took a few trials and errors, but I eventually figured out a good system. Saving money, meeting locals …
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Takeaways from Studying Abroad Twice
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Because I studied international policy, my professors encouraged me to study abroad to better understand how countries approach policy challenges. I chose University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, as I was doing research on international affairs in the Indo-Pacific region at the time. Beyond academics, my time in Sydney pushed me to step…
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Don’t Spend Your Study Abroad Semester in an Airport
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It is easy to get caught up in the travel flex when you get to London. I’ve done my fair share of travel already, having been to Dublin and Morocco, and writing from Wales, where I am visiting with my IFSA group. I have more trips lined up for the next few months, but I’ve realized if you aren’t careful, you could end up treating London like a glorified base camp instead of the place you live. The…
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What’s So Good About the University of Oxford Academic System?
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As a student at a liberal arts college in North Carolina, I was used to traditional classroom lectures, homework that took a couple of hours a day, and 16-week semesters ending with exams or project submissions. Oxford asked me to throw all of this out the window. At Oxford, I had two classes (tutorials) instead of the four. We dove much deeper into subject matter. There is a…
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How Leaving the U.S. to Study Abroad Changed My Life
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Initially, I was hesitant to study abroad. Having never traveled outside of America, I knew I was committing to learning a new way of life and being alone in an unfamiliar country. Despite these uncertainties, taking this leap of faith taught me things about myself and allowed me to experience a new way of life and culture.…
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Balancing Academics and Exploration in London
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For most students, me included, studying and attending classes isn’t always the most exciting aspect of being abroad. But between all the events and travel, it’s important to make time for academics. Academic culture shock This summer I studied at University of Westminster in London, and one of the things that gave me the most culture…
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Staying Mentally Balanced During Study Abroad in London
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Mental health abroad is super important to me, especially as a first-generation student. Whether the idea of studying abroad is anxiety-inducing or exciting to you, such a change is bound to cause a plethora of different emotions, and for me this was certainly the case. New friends: an antidote for missing home Studying abroad at…
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