IES Abroad London

The IES Abroad - UK Today program was amazing. Choosing to go to London was one of the best decisions of my life. IES made everything very easy from the start so I didn't have to go into the program with any confusion or worry. In the weeks before I left for London, the IES advisor for my program was excellent with answering my questions or concerns. I have always been a planner and they definitely made it easy. When I got to London it seemed so big and crazy, but IES helped me acclimate to it very quickly and soon the neighborhood felt more like home. The locations of my residence hall and classes were very centralized and easy to navigate. I took two courses with the IES program and had amazing professors for both of them. Both Professors were amazing and had such passion for the courses that they were teaching. My British Youth Culture class is easily on of the best classes I have taken in my college career. Throughout my time in London I always felt safe and like I was able to still be an adult and explore the city on my own. IES gave me the space I needed but also was always there if I needed advice on places to eat, cool sites to see, and how the world cup worked (among other things). I was able to travel through England and Europe with ease over the weekends with the other students in my program, it made it very hard to leave and come back to the U.S..

I loved my time abroad. London is such a wonderful, accessible, and international city that it was easy to find myself lost in the culture. As a health practice and policy student I was assigned to a service learning placement. I did my placement with Holy Cross Centre Trust in Camden, and was given opportunities to work hands on in the field of mental health. Whether it was running group sessions, to meeting with my one on one assigned patients, the experience was rich and enlightening. Over seas it was tough making friends at first, however through IES I was able to meet a group of girls that I will forever be close with. Not only were they my London friends, but we traveled together as well. It was easy to travel from London, and I took advantage of that to the fullest. IES made it easy to make the most of my experience abroad.

IES made it so I could travel abroad and experience a new culture. It was so much fun to experience London through sightseeing and living in the city. I got to see all the major sights and experience a few that weren't so common, while also interning at a really cool British company and take classes. My internship really let me experience the field I'm interested in. Although the classes weren't very stimulating for me, it was still fun to experience how British professors taught.

I wouldn't trade the experience for anything!

This past spring I had the joy of participating in the IES Direct Enrollment program at Queen Mary University of London. IES was very helpful in terms of the arranging everything so I could be settled in my new home! I was able to apply to QMUL via the IES website and IES staff were very communicative with me about what I needed to do to get the appropriate visa. In addition, they sent me a packing list so I could feel more prepared about what I would need. They also set up an IES London facebook page so it would be easy for me to meet other study abroad students in different programs and so I could get reminders for IES meet-ups. So even if you are doing a direct enrollment program and do not take classes with other IES students, you can still get involved in IES activities. IES also took care of making sure I had housing at my new location which also a great bonus!

But IES is there to support you! They will send your transcripts to your home institutions so that’s one less thing to worry about. Also the greatest thing about IES is that the provide you with amazing travel insurance!! With my plan I only had to pay $100 deductible and after that, every doctor’s visit was free. This was really amazing and saved me a ton of money since I got a nasty back injury while abroad! And IES was very supportive as they guided me through the insurance claims process! So, if you have a medical issue problem while abroad, IES will definitely help to make sure you get what you need!

I stepped off the plane at Heathrow almost 5 years ago excited, terrified, and armed with about a million questions and concerns, and every step of the way, the IES staff were absolutely incredible. Living, studying, and interning in London has made such a lasting impact on me, and I return to the city every chance I get (and I’m certain everyone I know is sick of me talking about it). The experience even inspired me to get a working holiday visa to Ireland after graduation, during which time I popped back into the IES London office unannounced with my best friend (who I met during my semester abroad) and was floored when the staff still remembered who we were, including our names and our university. The IES staff really care about you having the best experience and seeing as much of the city as you can. Nothing can quite compare to reading a novel set in London and then literally walking in the characters’ footsteps with your class! IES also offers so many great trips outside of London that are included in the program, make sure you go on all of them! If you are uncertain about making the leap and going to London through IES, you should absolutely go for it (but only if you want lifelong friends, to grow academically, culturally, and personally, and have stories to tell that will make your coworkers cry laughing).

This experience really sparked my interest for traveling and taught me so much about how international health care and human rights is viewed. I got hands on experience in the medical field in Jamaica, I was able to travel all over Europe for a very affordable price, and I got to volunteer with CLAPA. IES really catered to my interest and helped me to develop and mature on a professional, academic, and personal level. I learned so much about culture and identity in a place that I thought would be very similar to the United States. These experiences made it more than worthwhile! This was a life changing experience that has inspired me to keep traveling and possibly even change my career goals to something that will allow me to travel abroad.
The IES program was so supportive and they really worked hard to create an inclusive living and learning environment. While there were some small things that could be improved, the people were really what made the program the best experience of my life.

Academic
Overall the courses were interesting and challenging. The administration and professors were very supportive and engaging. However, the program was not able to offer the Oxford class at the last minute so I ended up taking classes at City University of London. This turned out to be just around the corner from my housing assignment and the course included some very interesting aspects. I really ended up enjoying this course and it allowed me to have Friday off to travel.

Support
The administration was very supportive in making sure I was acclimated to living abroad. They constantly kept in touch and responded to emails quickly. They made sure we met up for dinner or tea a couple times during the semester and they also hosted clubs and events around town. They were also very supportive if I wasn't feeling well. Luckily, I did not have any major health issues, but my roommate did and from my perspective, the administration was very helpful. The administrator that lived in our building took her to the hospital and stayed with her until she got home. At one point, I caught a small cold and an administrator offered to make a doctor appointment for me and to go with me, but I was able to easily take care of it with cold medication from the pharmacist.

Housing
The apartment I lived in was right in the heart of London. It was the ideal location for getting around the city by tube or walking. The housing had all the amenities and I always felt safe there. The roommate situation was not ideal because I am so used to living on my own, however it was a great way to make friends and I learned a lot about myself. I had a great view of the city from my room and the program made sure I had everything I needed, and if I didn't there was a shopping tour on the first day that helped me to get everything.

Safety
During orientation, there was a briefing on safety by a police officer who told us about the most common crimes and how to avoid being a target. This was very useful because it made me more aware of my actions and it gave me more information on who to contact if something did go wrong. Also, one of the administrators lived in the same apartment complex me, so there was always someone available. While I was in London, there were a few small bombings including one on the tube and violent protests, but the program has a very specific and strict protocol for locating each person and ensuring our safety and they communicated with my parents that I was safe. In Jamaica, we were chaperoned everywhere and I felt very safe because one of our professors/chaperones is a native Jamaican.

IES Abroad truly made my semester the best one of my life. IES was willing to help me every step of the way, from pre-departure to day to day while abroad, and even helped me readjust after I returned home. I couldn't have asked for a more attentive, inclusive, and helpful organization. They made the semester run so smoothly. The HPP program was immersive and interesting, and I came away learning so much. Thanks, IES!

If someone were to ask me, "Anna, what is the coolest thing you have ever done?" the answer would be easy: "Study abroad!" This summer, I had the awesome experience of studying abroad in London with the IES UK Today program. I took two classes with amazing professors who took us on field trips for basically every class, and were quick to give suggestions as to the best things to do and see in the city. The IES staff was attentive and detail-oriented, from the dispersal and explanation of the pre-departure information, throughout the study abroad experience, and to the day we all left to go home. IES also facilitated amazing field trips to Brighton, Kenilworth Castle and Stratford-Upon-Avon, and Stonehenge and Bath. In addition to giving us opportunities to explore the UK, the IES staff really encouraged us to explore London, UK, and Europe independently. I took this advice to heart, and when I wasn't in class, I could be found in a museum, walking through a royal palace, strolling along the South Bank, or taking in a musical or play in the West End. I also took several trips outside of London, including Paris, Brussels, Dover, Wimbledon, Windsor, and Oxford. Without the support of IES staff encouraging me to make the most of my study abroad experience, and providing me with all the support I needed, I do not think my experience would have been nearly as unforgettable!