FIE: Foundation for International Education

The Foundation for International Education (FIE) set me up for educational, professional, and social success before and after arrival in the UK. A week prior to the start of classes, I was welcomed by the kindest staff who had several activities, mixers, and informational sessions scheduled for incoming students. During this time, I acclimated to city living, made new friends, and prepared for coursework to come. Since then, I have enjoyed the wonderful curriculum and plethora of field trips offered by FIE and its office of industry experts who I am lucky enough to call my professors.

Being a FIE in London participant has pushed me to reach higher limits both personally and
professionally. The program provides an excellent balance of education by way of coursework and real-world experience. My classes offer valuable lessons in the form of lectures, study visits, and group discussions, while my internship enables me to put what I’ve learned into action and expand upon it. Living and interning in a new environment has improved my soft skills of adaptability and communication, as well as technical skills related to my area of study. Full entrenchment in English society has made me a better problem-solver as I regularly uncover new ways of accomplishing everyday tasks.

While studying abroad in London, I am grateful to have traveled to other parts of Europe as well. Weekend trips with my peers, many of whom I met through FIE, have further opened my eyes to varieties in culture, lifestyle, and work habits. Such exposures have altered my perspective of what being a professional can and should encompass. I am both eager and ready to take my reformed mindset back with me to the University of Florida in the fall but will always cherish my wonderful memories away from home.

Constantly be open to meeting new people. I came knowing my roommates because they were my close friends from school, however, truly the memories i think back on already are the ones with the people i met here. The people I came here with, I can see us doing trips and travelling together, but there is something very beautiful about making a friend, becoming close to that friend, and embarking on a new experience together. I went on a day trip with a new friend and it was so fun because we were both trying something new but had so much time to talk and get to know each other.

When I arrived in London I was not too sad and got comfortable very quick. As time went on my sadness grew but I want you to remember that things and people you are missing you will be with again eventually. Therefore, doing all the things you want to do, making friendships you are scared to make, doing new things is so much more worth it then being upset about missing home. One thing I would change about this journey was to see more things, travel more, do things that make me happy more often and be more of myself and be outgoing to make new friendships. I learned to never forget who you are, be yourself, let your mind be open to the new things you can learn and people you can meet.

Studying abroad in London through the FIE was honestly a dream come true. For as long as I can remember I have wanted to live and study in London and that was made possible through the FIE London: Semester Abroad Internship Program. The coursework was definitely challenging as grading is a bit different in the UK compared to what I was accustomed to in the states. However, because of the structure of the classes and the fact we are studying abroad, London isn’t only the city we’re living in, it’s also our classroom. And I don’t know about you but learning history is way more interesting when you get to see it with your own eyes. The co-curricular activities and being able to immerse in the history of London was probably my favourite aspect of the program. But then again, also being able to hold an international internship was pretty amazing as well. How many students from your university can say they worked abroad? Additionally, I have to call attention to the housing. I knew very little about London in terms of the lay of the land prior to my arrival, so I was stunned when I arrived at our South Kensington accommodations. Literally down the road from Kensington Gardens! Again, I repeat, the program was a dream. Living in such a central part of London where we could easily go anywhere, the tube was around the corner and there were museums everywhere. There’s just so much to see in London and while you really got to master time management with all the course work so that the last 7 weeks can be focused on the internship, I can promise you that adventure is calling in London town. I went to more concerts, plays, musicals and museums during my time in London than I have combined in my life prior to. The diversity of London is beautiful and I stand by my statement that I will call it home again someday.

I loved my program from start to finish. Yes course work was challenging at some points but in the end it was so worth it and it really brings out the best in those who go with this program. There is so much to learn and do and see and try and I strongly believe that this program helped me with that. I was with Beagle Button Ltd and they are the nicest company of people I could have been placed with. So helpful when I struggled and always gave me work that was challenging but not so hard that no one could do it. I hope someone else has the chance to do what I did and have a great time learning about the workplace culture and learning more about business.