IES Abroad London

I spent last summer in London with IES Abroad and I loved every single second of it! I was there for just under 2 months, and took 2 courses with IES, both for my majors. The teachers were so knowledgeable and kind, and I felt like I took a lot away from their classes. The IES staff was so helpful in planning trips, whether it was for our entire program to visit the Dover cliffs or giving us advice and contact information to help plan a trip to Warner Brother Studios. I was so nervous about going overseas alone for the first time, but everyone was so kind and helpful, I acclimated in no time. I miss my time abroad every day, and because of my experience with IES in London I am even pursuing international careers in other countries after graduation! I cannot recommend this program enough.

I absolutely loved my time in the IES Study London program. We had a large group of students from so many different universities in the United States so we were able to make friends from all over the country with all different majors, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, passions, etc. If that scares you, the class sizes were nice and small where you could establish real relationships with fellow students and your professors. I absolutely loved the classes I took and the professors were truly so good at using your time in London to your advantage!

On top of that amazing aspect, we were in the hub of London and I personally stayed right up the street from Kings Cross Station at Chapter Kings Cross which I would recommend 10 out of 10 times to anyone doing this program. You could choose to take a quick tube ride to the IES Center (where classes were) or it was also an easy walk through some cute areas of London. I personally chose the walking route because that was more reliable in terms of time, plus I got to see the most adorable little streets. Chapter was such a great choice because so many other students in the program lived there (there are two other living options) and I loved seeing familiar faces in the lobby, elevators, halls and kitchens.

I have made some amazing friends through this program and I only got two months and had to leave somewhat abruptly due to COVID-19 shutting down the world. I wouldn't trade this experience or program for the world and mean it in the most sincere way that you should do IES Study London. From the super helpful staff to the amazing classes and professors and everything thing in between, DO IT and DO IT NOW!

My experience in the IES London Theatre Studies program was nothing short of life-changing. As a theatre student, I needed to make sure that wherever I studied abroad was preparing me for my future career. London was the place that I could live and work surrounded by the industry that I am studying and IES Abroad was the perfect way for me to do this. Academically, I got loads of hands-on practical experience by attending productions, going backstage and doing workshops with professional artists working in London. I would recommend this program to anyone interested in the entertainment industry or the performing arts in general. On top of academics, the IES community will always hold a special place in my heart. The administrations genuinely cares about the well-being of their students and I felt like I could personally connect with them. I wasn't just a number in the program, I was treated as a complete human being and was given a community that helped me thrive and live up to the best of my potential. After returning home, I am confident that London is somewhereI would love to move to long-term after graduation, and I wouldn't have realized that if it weren't for my semester studying abroad with IES.

Step 1: Go. And don't look back.

I grew so much as a human and performer (which is what I was studying) in my time abroad. I had the entire world, culturally and artistically, at my fingertips. Each weekend I would sit with my friends, over a full potluck we cooked together at only 19 or 20 years old, and decide whether or not we wanted to go see 3 shows on the West End this weekend, or go to France and try escargot and fine wine. To put it simply, the availability to extend myself whichever way I wanted, grew me. The opportunities to be around some of the best theatre in the world, grew me. Making my own choices and handling my own responsibilities halfway across the world, grew me. I would recommend this program to anyone who has anxiety, or is bad at decision making. This will shake these things out of you, or at least help to, in the most rewarding way.

My time with IES Abroad in London was an absolutely and unbelievably rewarding experience. First of all, I was not expecting to enjoy the classes I took as much as I did, but I swiftly fell in love with the curriculum and educators. Among my courses, two that stood out were British Youth Culture with Richard Weight and Architecture of London with Jon Wright. These two educators are incredibly intuitive, experienced, and above all caring. I am pleased to say that my academic performance was one of my best during my time abroad. I felt challenged, but embraced by all of the educators and staff at IES London. My housing, located in King’s Cross allowed for ease of travel to other parts of Europe, leading me to travel to 17 cities in 7 countries. While I was able to travel to places I’ve always wanted to go, I truly believe that I left my heart in London. A city with an abundance of culture, educational values, and above all good times. I am forever grateful for the time I spent in London and will absolutely be back. But while I wait, I want to recommend London and especially IES Abroad to expand your horizons and have the best months of your life!

Maybe it was our enthusiasm because we were in a new country. Maybe it was positive energy established and maintained by faculty and administration at IES London. Nonetheless, I have never felt such strong connections be formed so fast. Within days I made friends that quickly became forever friends. Some came with me from my home college whereas others I met for the first time while abroad. Some were even residents of England and other countries across Europe and even the world. Despite all that, I spent so much time, shared so many experiences and felt so much love from each and everyone of these beautiful people. In fact, I am still in contact to this very day with all of them. We can speak everyday or once a week, once a month even and the genuine love and affection built during our time with in London does not waiver. I would have never come across the wonderful people I did without IES London.

When I was applying to university, I remember telling anyone who would listen that I would under no circumstances live in a big city. Needless to say, when I announced to my friends and family that I would be living in London for nearly 5 months during my sophomore year, everyone had their doubts (including me at times!). I am so glad that I took the leap. Even though London is so large and teeming with life, the community atmosphere at our IES center in Holborn made the city feel less daunting. Getting to live and study in the same city as Shakespeare and Chaucer changed my life for the better and gave me a deeper understanding and appreciation of their works. I would recommend IES London to anyone, especially if you have never considered living in a city before.

After being back in the States for almost four months, I am still continuing to rave over my study abroad program. I loved IES and everything they had to offer. The London center was phenomenal-professors, staff, location.

All of the classes that I chose to take gave us a chance to be immersed into the London culture, with field trips to art and history museums, walking tours of the various London neighborhoods, and theatre performances. All of my professors were knowledgeable in their fields, and I learned a lot from them.

The staff at the IES Center were always very friendly and helpful. I was a part of the running and yoga clubs, and got to know some of the staff members because of it. These extra-curricular opportunities not only continued to allow us to get to know London better, but it allowed us to get to know the people we were studying with, and showed us that the staff at the center weren't just there as staff. They were there to help make our study abroad experience the best it could be! And when I got sick during our exam week, I was able to get into see a doctor immediately, and everyone-staff and professors-were extremely accommodating.

I always felt safe in London too. My apartment was in a great neighborhood, with only a twenty minute bus ride to most of the iconic London places. All of the housing locations were close to each other too, which made visiting friends even easier.

IES Study London was a fantastic program that I am always going to recommend. It made my study abroad experience what it was, and I am forever thankful for that.