Study Abroad in London, England: Internship: Semester or Academic Year

Why did you decide to study abroad with AIFS at Richmond in London?

Victoria: I decided to study abroad with AIFS after researching many, many study abroad programs. AIFS has an internship program, which I thought would be best suited to my interests. The other programs that are affiliated with my school don’t have an internship option. I also chose AIFS because the internship program was in London, which is ideal for a political science major.

What made your study abroad experience unique and special?

Victoria: The experience was beyond incredible. I learned so much out the British political system through my internship. I got to experience a foreign workplace and even got to see parliament in action. I loved spending three months in London, as it is so easy to travel around the UK. I visited cities like Manchester, Bath, and Liverpool. AIFS provided opportunities for many activities, including discounted theatre tickets, bus trips, and cruise down the Thames.

I saw six theatrical productions during my time in London, two of which were under £7. The location was also a memorable part of the experience because it’s in such a beautiful part of the city. The Kensington campus is within walking distance of Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, Westminster, Whitehall, and Trafalgar Square. It is also within a few minute’s walk of Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, which is where I spent a lot of free time. There are so many other factors that made the experience so amazing, but they are too numerous to list!

How has this experience impacted your future?

Victoria: I will never regret my decision to study in London. The internship alone is invaluable. Academically, it allowed me to draw together things I learned in a classroom setting and things I learned in the workplace. Professionally, I learned how to function in a workplace that is different from one I would find in the US, which led me to learn how to be adaptable. Personally, I learned how to be more independent and more confident. When you study abroad, you’re going to be in situations that are outside of your comfort zone. You learn how to handle those situations really quickly.