Describe the most meaningful souvenir and why you love it?
Moe: One of the hardest things (for me) about studying abroad was leaving my best friends for a semester. Although we were all studying abroad in different parts of the world and having amazing experiences, it was tough not seeing/living with them.
During my trip, I was lucky enough to reconvene with my best friend in Scotland for the USA vs. Scotland soccer match. While there, I purchased a scarf with the two team names and flags, date, and location of the match. Getting to spend the weekend in Glasgow with him was one of the highlights of my trip, and the scarf proudly hangs in my dorm at school today.
Describe a goal you set and how you went about accomplishing it?
Moe: One of the reasons I picked England as my Study Abroad location was soccer, and going there I wanted to make sure that I played at least once. There was only one problem...I played football in high school, and had virtually no soccer experience.
Speaking with a friend from home about halfway through my trip (I still had not played), they gave me the advice "do the first thing this week that makes you nervous". The next day, I signed up with a local group that played Friday Nights, and although I struggled at first, playing every Friday night became one of the highlights of my week. I looked forward to it, and although I was never the best, the guys who I played with became some of my best friends.
How has this experience impacted your future?
Moe: One thing that was amazing about studying at UCL was the prestige and honor of the Professors that I studied with. They were women and men who had made huge scientific breakthroughs in their fields, and learning under them will be something that I can use to my advantage one day. The experience also opened my eyes to the possibility of traveling abroad to get my masters degree.
One of my professors spent many Monday afternoons petitioning me to return to his Philosophy of Science Masters program. Finally, I could not imagine my life moving forward without the amazing friends I made while abroad. The six of us still speak almost every day, and have become integral parts of one another's lives.
Tell us about any interesting cultural tidbits you noticed about your country?
Moe: Going to an English speaking country, I didn't think their would be a large difference in cultural and language, but I was mistaken! We always had to ask for the bill (not the check, that is something that pays the bill). The subway is a tube where the sidewalk goes under the road (not the tube, which actually takes you to different places around the city).
Tipping...well I still don't understand that. When it rains (so almost every day) you must be extremely alert for the level of your umbrella and must not let it hit someone else's. And finally, the left side of the escalator is for vigorous walking/running, and one must NEVER stand on that side without moving.
Do you think your program changed you as a person?
Moe: My life was changed by my study abroad experience in London, and API was the enabling factor. To say that a program changed me as a person would discredit the city, my friends, and my experience. API was the perfect program for me to change myself.
They always had a weekend excursion that I could go on if I would like, or an awesome weeknight walking tour. I got to see a lot of things that I would myself never have sought out, and when I felt that I needed me time and a nice relaxing day, I never felt forced to travel with API. Their support before and after my experience was amazing, and helped me transition into life in London, as well as life back in the states.
