Why did you decide to study abroad with IES Abroad?
Ariana: IES Abroad provided a great structured program that encouraged a lot of exploration in the city as well as time for traveling elsewhere. I was looking for good academics, and the literature and film courses offered by IES allowed me to really connect what I was reading and learning to the city around me. IES Abroad put us right in the heart of London in the Nido building and gave us so many opportunities to feel at home in London!
Describe your favorite must-have food that you tried abroad.
Ariana: Cornish pasties were a must! The famous meat-and-veggies pastry was a super quick and easy meal, and perfectly warm and filling on the coldest London winter days, on the way home from class or at a train station. Tea with biscuits was also a staple. Finding a proper tea biscuit in America is not easy...I miss that the most!
Do you feel you got a chance to see the city from a local's perspective?
Ariana: I definitely got to see a lot of the city and got some good recommendations for pubs, live music venues, etc. from locals, that I might not have found otherwise. Although, living with and spending most of my time with Americans and other international students made it seem like we were always tourists. However, after four months, it certainly felt like I lived in London and was totally comfortable with the city.
Do you think your program changed you as a person?
Ariana: Absolutely! I feel so much better equipped to handle changes in my life, and adapt to any new situation much easier than I had before. I am much more comfortable in big cities and lots of chaos, and with traveling independently.
I think the skills I learned abroad set me apart in my current search for a job after graduation, and I'm grateful for that. Ultimately, I think studying abroad has made me a more compassionate, capable person, able to navigate a wider range of academic, professional, and social situations.