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London and Spain
Where and when did you study abroad?
I participated in the First-Year Theatre in London J-Term Program in 2005 and spent a semester in Madrid, Spain in 2006.
Why did you decide to study abroad?
I always knew that I wanted to study abroad - particularly a semester in Spain. I first heard about the First-Year London program through a mailing I received before school started and then again at freshman orientation. It sounded like a good way to fulfill my Fine Arts requirement and a great way to meet new people in another environment - away from your average class or dorm life.
I had such a great experience. It reaffirmed my desire to study abroad in Spain.
What was the greatest benefit of studying abroad?
The atmosphere on our program was really positive. As a group of 24 students, we all got along really well. I developed friendships with people on a different level from my friends at home. We were all together, having a great experience, and that's something you can't replicate in the residence halls or in a St. Thomas classroom. Personally, I gained a lot of independence. I had traveled on my own before, but never with this much freedom. We had a lot of time in London to explore the city without our professors. This was the first time I was "given" a city and told to explore.
Did studying abroad affect your ability to graduate on time?
No because the course fulfilled the Fine Arts core requirement. It helped!
Were finances a problem?
The tuition wasn't a problem because I knew far enough in advance how much it was going to cost and I could plan on that amount. Once I got to London, money was a bit of a concern. I didn't realize the multitude of things there are to do and spend money on. I would buy a bottle of soda for 2 pounds and think nothing of it. Then I would realize that 2 pounds was really about $3.50. I don't regret anything I spent money on but the exchange rate was a shock to the system.
What advice would you have for students who are thinking about studying abroad?
Do it! Don't be hesitant about it because there will always be a support system in place to help you if you need it. Be open to all the new experiences and options - take advantage of the chance to study abroad because travel opportunities won't come as easily after graduation.
What is your favorite study abroad story?
One of our free days, several friends and I decided to really be tourists. We started out at the Tower of London and then walked part way across the Tower Bridge, just as it was opening to let a boat through. An Englishman that passed us said it was a rare sight! Then we wandered around looking for a tube stop, and when we found one, we proceeded to go about seven stops in the wrong direction - we were trying to get to Abby Road ... so we switched lines and went several stops the other direction. On the tube, we met a man who was determined to make us listen to his cell phone ring. It was some tune complaining about the London Underground and he spent the entire tube ride trying to get the phone to play the song. He was just so excited to let us hear his phone - definitely the most interesting British person I met on the program. When we finally got to Abby Road, we had to ask someone where it was. I didn't realize it was just a crosswalk! I think that was the biggest letdown of the course - I thought it would be so much more than that! Then we tried to get pictures in the crosswalk - but it's a really busy street. In England, cars are supposed to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks and you really have to trust that they are actually going to stop. We felt like we were taking our lives in our hands as we stepped out into traffic! It was probably my favorite day in London, even though we spent half of it on the tube!
I participated in the First-Year Theatre in London J-Term Program in 2005 and spent a semester in Madrid, Spain in 2006.
Why did you decide to study abroad?
I always knew that I wanted to study abroad - particularly a semester in Spain. I first heard about the First-Year London program through a mailing I received before school started and then again at freshman orientation. It sounded like a good way to fulfill my Fine Arts requirement and a great way to meet new people in another environment - away from your average class or dorm life.
I had such a great experience. It reaffirmed my desire to study abroad in Spain.
What was the greatest benefit of studying abroad?
The atmosphere on our program was really positive. As a group of 24 students, we all got along really well. I developed friendships with people on a different level from my friends at home. We were all together, having a great experience, and that's something you can't replicate in the residence halls or in a St. Thomas classroom. Personally, I gained a lot of independence. I had traveled on my own before, but never with this much freedom. We had a lot of time in London to explore the city without our professors. This was the first time I was "given" a city and told to explore.
Did studying abroad affect your ability to graduate on time?
No because the course fulfilled the Fine Arts core requirement. It helped!
Were finances a problem?
The tuition wasn't a problem because I knew far enough in advance how much it was going to cost and I could plan on that amount. Once I got to London, money was a bit of a concern. I didn't realize the multitude of things there are to do and spend money on. I would buy a bottle of soda for 2 pounds and think nothing of it. Then I would realize that 2 pounds was really about $3.50. I don't regret anything I spent money on but the exchange rate was a shock to the system.
What advice would you have for students who are thinking about studying abroad?
Do it! Don't be hesitant about it because there will always be a support system in place to help you if you need it. Be open to all the new experiences and options - take advantage of the chance to study abroad because travel opportunities won't come as easily after graduation.
What is your favorite study abroad story?
One of our free days, several friends and I decided to really be tourists. We started out at the Tower of London and then walked part way across the Tower Bridge, just as it was opening to let a boat through. An Englishman that passed us said it was a rare sight! Then we wandered around looking for a tube stop, and when we found one, we proceeded to go about seven stops in the wrong direction - we were trying to get to Abby Road ... so we switched lines and went several stops the other direction. On the tube, we met a man who was determined to make us listen to his cell phone ring. It was some tune complaining about the London Underground and he spent the entire tube ride trying to get the phone to play the song. He was just so excited to let us hear his phone - definitely the most interesting British person I met on the program. When we finally got to Abby Road, we had to ask someone where it was. I didn't realize it was just a crosswalk! I think that was the biggest letdown of the course - I thought it would be so much more than that! Then we tried to get pictures in the crosswalk - but it's a really busy street. In England, cars are supposed to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks and you really have to trust that they are actually going to stop. We felt like we were taking our lives in our hands as we stepped out into traffic! It was probably my favorite day in London, even though we spent half of it on the tube!
