Spend Your Summer Abroad in London with LSBU

Why did you pick this program?

I picked KEI and LSBU because they had wonderful reviews from previous students who traveled with them. The individuals I worked with from KEI during the preparation process were very informative and responded immediately when I had any questions or concerns about my trip. Each e-mail I received was very detailed and outlined what forms I needed to complete and who to send them to.

They also offered a wide variety of side trips to other countries I have always wanted to visit. Without traveling through KEI, I would not have been able to travel to Scotland and learn about my family heritage.

What do you tell your friends who are thinking about going abroad?

I told them that through all the preparation needed to leave the country, it was more than worth it. I encouraged them to look into trips sponsored by our college, as well as traveling with a group like KEI.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Jam as much as you can into your trip. You may be exhausted, but the more you do, the more fun you have. I traveled to a new place in London at least 5 times a week. If I hadn't done that, I wouldn't have met wonderful people, or experienced half of London without leaving my comfort zone.

What's your favorite story to tell about your time abroad?

I accidentally stumbled upon the Mike XXL England premier in Picadilly Circus. I was less than 10 feet from famous actors and actresses on the red carpet. It was quite breathtaking, and it was a total accident! You never know what you can run into when you travel the world. It was an experience I'll never forget.

What was the hardest adjustment you had to make?

The most difficult thing I had to adjust to was the various means of transportation. It was so hard at first to figure out how the subway/underground worked and what lines to take, or what busses would take me to what places. I was lucky enough to have a tour guide who explained how I could pay for transportation with the Oyster card, as well as where the different busses and subway lines would take me. Once I learned how to use them, I truly had my freedom and could go anywhere I desired.

Did YOU study abroad?! If so, where and what inspired you to go?

Fran: Yes! I spent a year of my undergraduate degree studying in Atlanta, Georgia. It was the most incredible experience of my life and continues to shape pretty much every aspect of my life! I went to Atlanta because of a partnership between my university in the UK, and the university in the US. As a History major, who focused on US Civil Rights it was particularly fascinating to live two blocks away from where Martin Luther King was brought up, and is now buried. Also, it was nice to escape the cold of the North of England for 9 months!

What was your favorite traveling experience?

Fran: My favorite traveling experience is the two weeks I spent driving around the American South with friends I made during my Study Abroad year. In 14 days we visited 12 states and 16 cities around the south-eastern corner of the US. Each city, and each state was so different and varied from what came before it. It was great to share that experience with the friends I made during my Study Abroad year and it brought us very close together as a group. Some of my favorite stories happened during that trip – ask me about them in London when you arrive!

What unique qualities does your company possess?

Fran: The greatest thing, in my opinion about LSBU is its location. We are centered in the middle of the most exciting, diverse, developing and best city in the world – London! Also, we are a campus university. So you will be living a 5 minute walk away from your classes, and you’ll get to know the campus really fast.

For me, this gives the university a contained feel, and it means you can explore the rest of the city whilst being sure that you have a secure base when you get back! The city is amazing – there’s a reason that so many people from all over the world flock to this city, and it’s the multitude of cultures that make the city so great.

What position do you hold at LSBU? What has been your career path so far?

Fran: I am the Study Abroad Assistant. This means that I deal with students on a nearly daily basis, which is great! I meet you when you arrive (or talk to you before), and we are in touch throughout your time here and beyond. It’s great to see how much people change during their Study Abroad year, and I’m sure I did the same!

As mentioned, I completed a Study Abroad year during my undergraduate degree. When I finished that I was unsure about what to do next, and I figured that I had had such an amazing time during my year away that I wanted to help other people have a great experience too. Also, this job opportunity allowed me to move to London, which so many people want to do.

What does your home-country's culture value that is taught in your program?

Fran: The backbone of British culture is varied and wonderful. For me, it is centered on an unspoken, unwritten desire to leave our country and our world in a better state than how we entered it. Whether that is through looking after our planet, or looking after each other.

I hope that that gets through to our students through their immersion in our culture! As well as that, we teach our students that London is a walking city, and at that one where you have to walk briskly! By the end of your time in London I imagine you will have better calf muscles, as well as everything else you’ll learn by living here.