Why did you pick this program?
Emily: Before choosing a program and location to study abroad, I wanted to decide what my goals were. I was really looking for an experience that would enhance my learning back home as an English major. I chose London primarily because of its rich literary history.
I then looked for a program that matched up with my goals. CAPA provided lots of options so that I could really make my study abroad semester my own. I was able to choose a homestay and they had a wide variety of classes to pick from.
Since I had never traveled abroad before, I desired a program that provided in country aid and activities. CAPA was a perfect balance for me in that there was always support available, but they didn't hand hold me through the experience. I loved their cultural activities and MyEducation Events! They were great for introducing me to new places and provided a starting point for exploring the city further.
What was the hardest part about going abroad?
Emily: The hardest part for me was probably being alone. I'm an introvert and kind of reserved most of the time. I'm used to having friends who are the opposite who will be the outgoing ones when the situation arises. While studying abroad and traveling alone, though, I didn't have anyone but myself to rely on. It was tough to try and coordinate all my travel, call for a taxi, make my own reservations, call to ask questions, ask for directions, etc, since I'd never really had to do those things before.
Even though being alone was hard, I think those experiences were the most critical in my learning and personal development abroad. The times I traveled alone ended up being my favorite memories and I'm glad I chose to do what I wanted rather than stick with a group and travel to places I didn't care about.
I remember one weekend when I traveled 9 hours down to Cornwall and stayed in a hostel by myself. I was nervous at first but met so many cool people who were also staying there and then traveled with them! There were times being on my own where I made big mistakes (getting on the wrong train at Paddington Station and losing my ticket comes to mind...), but I wouldn't change a thing about those moments because, while embarrassing at the time, they provided me with the opportunity to overcome them and helped me to grow.
What's your favorite story to tell about your time abroad?
Emily: There are SO MANY stories it's really hard to choose just one! Probably the story I've told the most though is of my trip to Bath, England. This was a trip I had actually planned in advance. As I was researching things to do in England, I came across the website for the 2014 Jane Austen Festival in Bath. I read that there would be a world record attempt for the most people dressed in Regency costume during the festival, so I decided to put a costume together and pack it in my luggage!
At the festival I got to wear my costume and participate in the world record count (we did it by the way!), meet Austen fans from all over the world, and during our parade around the city I even snapped a picture with the festival's patron--Adrian Lukis (Mr. Wickham of BBC's Pride & Prejudice)! It was one of the most amazing days of the semester.
What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?
Emily: To explore your chosen study abroad city/country as much as you can! I went into my semester abroad with the mindset that I was going to live and breathe British culture. I never once left Great Britain while studying there and have no regrets about that choice. I visited many English cities, toured Scotland, visited Wales, and saw as much of London as I could.
Of course, I didn't see it all, but I left satisfied that I truly experienced my host country. I have heard other students wish they experienced more of London and the U.K. in general. So feel free to visit Paris and Prague if you wish, but save the majority of your weekends for local travel!
What was it like to live in a homestay?
Emily: Living in a homestay was one of the best decisions I made regarding my study abroad experience. First of all, I got my needs met in the form of my own room, breakfast/dinner, and two lovely host parents who really cared about me. My host mom was Russian and host dad was originally from Cyprus. They both had strong accents that took some getting used to! They were very sweet and funny and asked lots of questions about how things worked in America.
I felt that I had a true cultural experience by living with Londoners. My host parents always had friends or family members coming over for dinner that I had the chance to meet and I loved riding the tube into Central London every day with all the other commuters. If you’re at all considering a homestay, just do it! The experience is truly one of a kind and the connections you’ll make are priceless.