Why did you decide to study abroad with IES Abroad?
Stephen: I made the decision to study abroad in order to gain a better perspective of the world, learn British politics and history, and to have some fun at the sametime. I wanted an experience that would let me be free to make my own decisions and encounter life outside of the United States. I also wanted an organization that would allow me to be independent, but still provide the support I would need while being abroad.
I found that IES Abroad was the ideal organization to study abroad with because it had connections with my home university, it created a program that allowed me to study exactly what I wanted, and it provided just enough information and guidance without stifling my freedom and independence. IES was exactly what I wanted in a study abroad organization, and without a doubt I would use IES over and over again.
Why did you decide to study abroad in London, England
Stephen: Part of my reason for choosing London was because I had been there before with my family and I fell in love with the city. I honestly believe that London is the greatest city in the world, and I knew that I wanted to go back for an extended period of time. London is truly a melting pot city with a different culture at every other Tube stop. The great thing about London is that you are not only learning about British culture, but also so many other cultures.
I also chose to study in London because there is so much history everywhere. My professor joked that the building I had class in was older than the United States. I am fascinated by the history of London and the United Kingdom, and I wholeheartedly believe the best way to learn about a specific area or city is to be immersed in the culture and history of that city. Most of all, I wanted to study abroad in order to broaden my horizons and simply get a view of the world from outside of the United States.
Tell us about a particular highlight from your time abroad.
Stephen: While I love London, one of the greatest moments of my study abroad experience happened in Edinburgh, Scotland. In Edinburgh there is a group of hills in Holyrood Park on the outskirts of town, and the tallest peak is called Arthur’s Seat. From this peak I had the privilege of watching the sunrise over Edinburgh. My friends and I got up really early (earlier than 5AM) and climbed this hill to stand on Arthur’s Seat and watch the beauty of the sunrise over a mildly foggy Edinburgh.
While standing on Arthur’s Seat you can turn and see Edinburgh, but by turning the other way you can see the North Sea in the distance. This experience was honestly one of the most awe-inspiring moments in my life. Hiking up to Arthur’s Seat was incredibly beautiful, I was able to do it with some amazing friends, and the sight of seeing the sun rise over the North Sea and hit the city of Edinburgh is something I will remember for the rest of my life.
How did this experience challenge you personally and academically?
Stephen:For those who know me, they would say I am an incredibly shy individual, especially when meeting new people. Part of my decision to study abroad was to shatter this particular characteristic of mine. As soon as my airplane landed at Heathrow, the realization that I was alone in London, three thousand miles away from a single person who knew who I was, was a pretty scary thought. But this was a motivation of mine in studying abroad.
I was forced out of my comfortzone, and because of this I branched out and made some incredible friends that I absolutely cherish. I succeeded in my personal challenge to put myself out there and meet as many new people as possible, and in the process I made some great friends. I credit my time abroad with IES for providing the opportunity to accomplish a personal challenge of mine.
Studying abroad is about having a great time exploring different cultures, cities, and simply soaking it all in. But it is also about learning about the world we live and in particular the city in which people choose to spend the next severalmonths. IES Abroad has some incredible faculty who truly know what they are talking about.
I had the pleasure of learning from some accomplished historians and political scientists that challenged me, and forever left an impact on my life. Not only do IES professors provide their students with incredible knowledge, but also they make it fun and personable, which was amazing for me coming from a large university. I came away from my study abroad experiencewith more knowledge than I had anticipated, and for that I am very grateful.