Why did you decide to study with API?
Amanda: I decided to study abroad with API mainly due to its internship program in London. I met one of their program representatives who came to our study abroad fair, and loved the vast array of options available to choose from. I knew I wanted to partake in an internship and had always had a special interest in London, so the program fit perfectly.
I did not know anyone who had previously studied abroad, so API was extremely helpful during my pre-departure process with my numerous questions and concerns. The people I contacted were all extremely friendly, which made me even more excited that I chose them for my study abroad experience. They were with me every step of the way, from my initial interest inquiry all the way to my re-entry back into the U.S.
What made this study abroad experience unique and special?
Amanda: The people I was able to meet through the program were the best part of the experience. API had us living in an international house that was part of the University housing. The living situation allowed me to meet not only many other American students from all over the U.S., but also other University of Westminster students from all over the world.
My floor alone had people from Austria, Sri Lanka, England, Poland, and of course the U.S. I also had some friends that were French, Bulgarian, Italian, etc. I loved the diversity that the program allowed me to experience. Even the other Americans that I met were extremely different than me since there almost none from the Midwest area. It allowed me to learn more about my own culture as well as so many others. It really opened my eyes to so many things and allowed me to venture out of my comfort zone.
How has this experience impacted your future?
Amanda: My experience has impacted me in so many ways personally and professionally as well as academically. I now know that I want to go into the international field once I graduate. This year I even started working in our university’s study abroad office as well as interning for API, since I love the atmosphere that surrounds the study abroad experience. While I don’t know if I’ll end up in international education when I graduate, I do know that I want to work for an international company that values diversity. My experience has also impacted me personally in that I am now much more aware of differences amongst people and how to embrace this rather than shy away from it. It has also made me acquire the “travel bug” and want to experience new cultures as much as I can. Overall studying abroad through API has impacted my future in ways that I have not even yet come to realize.