FIE London: Semester & Summer Internships and Study Programs

The Foundation for International Education (FIE) set me up for educational, professional, and social success before and after arrival in the UK. A week prior to the start of classes, I was welcomed by the kindest staff who had several activities, mixers, and informational sessions scheduled for incoming students. During this time, I acclimated to city living, made new friends, and prepared for coursework to come. Since then, I have enjoyed the wonderful curriculum and plethora of field trips offered by FIE and its office of industry experts who I am lucky enough to call my professors.

Being a FIE in London participant has pushed me to reach higher limits both personally and
professionally. The program provides an excellent balance of education by way of coursework and real-world experience. My classes offer valuable lessons in the form of lectures, study visits, and group discussions, while my internship enables me to put what I’ve learned into action and expand upon it. Living and interning in a new environment has improved my soft skills of adaptability and communication, as well as technical skills related to my area of study. Full entrenchment in English society has made me a better problem-solver as I regularly uncover new ways of accomplishing everyday tasks.

While studying abroad in London, I am grateful to have traveled to other parts of Europe as well. Weekend trips with my peers, many of whom I met through FIE, have further opened my eyes to varieties in culture, lifestyle, and work habits. Such exposures have altered my perspective of what being a professional can and should encompass. I am both eager and ready to take my reformed mindset back with me to the University of Florida in the fall but will always cherish my wonderful memories away from home.

Constantly be open to meeting new people. I came knowing my roommates because they were my close friends from school, however, truly the memories i think back on already are the ones with the people i met here. The people I came here with, I can see us doing trips and travelling together, but there is something very beautiful about making a friend, becoming close to that friend, and embarking on a new experience together. I went on a day trip with a new friend and it was so fun because we were both trying something new but had so much time to talk and get to know each other.

When I arrived in London I was not too sad and got comfortable very quick. As time went on my sadness grew but I want you to remember that things and people you are missing you will be with again eventually. Therefore, doing all the things you want to do, making friendships you are scared to make, doing new things is so much more worth it then being upset about missing home. One thing I would change about this journey was to see more things, travel more, do things that make me happy more often and be more of myself and be outgoing to make new friendships. I learned to never forget who you are, be yourself, let your mind be open to the new things you can learn and people you can meet.

Studying abroad in London through the FIE was honestly a dream come true. For as long as I can remember I have wanted to live and study in London and that was made possible through the FIE London: Semester Abroad Internship Program. The coursework was definitely challenging as grading is a bit different in the UK compared to what I was accustomed to in the states. However, because of the structure of the classes and the fact we are studying abroad, London isn’t only the city we’re living in, it’s also our classroom. And I don’t know about you but learning history is way more interesting when you get to see it with your own eyes. The co-curricular activities and being able to immerse in the history of London was probably my favourite aspect of the program. But then again, also being able to hold an international internship was pretty amazing as well. How many students from your university can say they worked abroad? Additionally, I have to call attention to the housing. I knew very little about London in terms of the lay of the land prior to my arrival, so I was stunned when I arrived at our South Kensington accommodations. Literally down the road from Kensington Gardens! Again, I repeat, the program was a dream. Living in such a central part of London where we could easily go anywhere, the tube was around the corner and there were museums everywhere. There’s just so much to see in London and while you really got to master time management with all the course work so that the last 7 weeks can be focused on the internship, I can promise you that adventure is calling in London town. I went to more concerts, plays, musicals and museums during my time in London than I have combined in my life prior to. The diversity of London is beautiful and I stand by my statement that I will call it home again someday.

As I was already studying abroad for Bachelors, during my freshman year I did not think I wanted to do a semester abroad somewhere else. However, my sophomore year I realized that it is a great opportunity and I decided to apply for study abroad along with my roommate. This was the best decision I made! I had a beyond amazing time studying and exploring in London and am more than happy about my experience with Foundation of International Education. I was able to choose the Quarter study program which fit with my college's trimester schedule and I also got a scholarship by FIE which made this possible. All the courses had out of class activities as well which I really liked. London soon became home and is a great place to study abroad, a city where you will never go out of things to do!

Don't get me wrong London itself is amazing. However, I feel like I am not able to see enough of it between my internship and all the homework assigned in my classes. I am only taking one class and an internship placement class and I still feel like there is more work assigned than back at my home university while taking 5 classes. Not only are the other students taken aback by it, but even the two professors admitted they are uncomfortable with the amount of work FIE requires them to assign. The internship placement course fails to relate to my internship at all, provides bad advice on how to handle an internship according to "British standards" (such as, don't ask your internship supervisors to clarify assignments) and packs a 6 week's syllabus into 5 weeks. I was lucky enough to get an internship I enjoy, but that seems rare amongst others I've talked to. In addition, housing 10 girls in 1 flat is too many. It gets dirty quickly; we're pressed for space and it is always too loud for you to get your homework done or sleep, especially since we were warned this building doesn't provide noise control. Yet the two boys in my program share a flat of the same size with one other boy (not to mention they live on the first floor and we all had to carry our heavy suitcases up 5 flights of stairs because there is no elevator). I understand the lack of elevator is not in FIE's control but even providing people to help you carry your bags would be better. There is no staff to greet you when you arrive which seemed pretty odd to me, and I haven't seen any FIE staff since orientation weekend. I wish there was a packing list that was more reliable because I packed all professional clothes for an internship that is casual, and I failed to pack towels, hand towels, hand soap, pillow, a fan, etc. which I had to purchase here. I am only 3 weeks into this 8 week program and for the amount of money I paid, I hope it improves. I guess I just expected more.

I loved my experience with FIE! The housing was in a good location, was kept clean, had good bathrooms and kitchens, and felt very safe. It was great to feel like I was living in London on my own, but to still have support when I needed it. FIE provided lots of information about the events going on in London every week, and all the trips they provided were well organized and great experiences (especially the Wales weekend and Shakespeare Stratford Upon Avon). I loved the small class sizes and learning about the British culture in the classroom and on field trips throughout London. The diverse facility and subjects made for a good educational experience, and was not so challenging and stressful that I didn't have free time to explore London and Europe. Ultimately, I loved my time with FIE in London, and I wish I could go back!

I had the best time studying abroad and FIE truly helped me with that. This program allowed us to have the study abroad experience with an internship abroad which is very rare to see on a resume so I jumped at the opportunity! My internship started half way through the semester and after starting it, I wish it would have been concurrent with my entire semester there because I loved it so much! I know it sounds cheesy to say but my internship supervisor and co-workers were some of the nicest and sweetest people that even a year later I'm still in contact with. Yes it was tough to get up in the morning sometimes but once the semester was coming to an end I wish I could have stayed longer. Something I wish I would have done more is go out and explore London. I got to visit amazing countries but I barely scratched the surface with London. Although, if I were to do it again I wouldn't change a thing.