A Lifetime of Memories

Even after 8 years, studying abroad is still probably one of my favorite experiences in life. Not only did I make great friends, but I was able to see and experience London. One of my favorite aspects was when I started to feel like a local. Even at the end, you’re excited to go home, but you will miss the place you’ve called home for the last few weeks or months. It is something you must experience to really understand. For me, I knew I wanted to study abroad when I got to college. One of the best pieces of advice is to plan ahead, it makes it a lot easier. From applying to cost, knowing your timeline will keep you ahead of things. There are so many options when it comes to studying abroad and for me, going abroad with API was a great option. It was my first time abroad and my mom appreciated the support API provided. I was able to be independent but know someone was still there in case I needed something. Not only do you get information before and after your trip, but there are people physically there with you. I also really enjoyed our API group. We had some arranged outings like the Olympic Walking Tour (prior to the Summer 2012 Olympics), which gave us a chance to get to know each other so you never felt alone. 8 years later and I still talk to many of them. The London summer program at the University of Westminster turned out to be a lot more fun than I expected. They designed an international summer school, so you can meet students from all over the world. One of the best parts was the arranged rips, which made it easy to see a ton of stuff without having to plan it myself. That said, there is still plenty of time after class to explore London. Class was a few hours in the morning and then you had the rest of the day. There was still some homework involved, but it was manageable. I feel like I still learned a lot in class, but the teachers and school understand why you’re there. Some of my favorite memories were my trip to Wimbledon, visiting cathedrals, Big Pit Coal Mine in Wales, and the numerous museums you can visit. There is so much to do and see in London, you will never be bored! If you are even considering studying abroad in London, go for it! You won't regret it. And API helped provide an amazing experience and I would highly recommend them if you plan to study abroad in London or anywhere.