Studying abroad has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Although I still have a few weeks left at LSE I have already made some very close friendships, immersed myself into this phenomenal city, and took some of the most interesting classes of my life. I knew before coming to London that I would want to make sure I waste no time, especially when it came to my courses, and I am glad I set that goal for me. My first course, the History of Bubbles, Crashes, and Inflations was nothing like I’ve ever taken before as it was economic history, intertwining two subjects I really enjoy. My second class Public Finance was equally amazing where I we covered everything from political to behavioral to environmental economics and had to apply calculus in each area in ways I didn’t expect one could. Thus I not only got a lot out of my classes but also thoroughly enjoyed them.
One of my favorite parts about studying abroad was meeting people from all across the world. Everybody wanted to learn about each other’s background, college, childhood and how everything compared to their own. I also was once again amazed how connected the world has gotten and as a consequence it seemingly shrinks. I met someone from Turkey who knew a friend of mine from high school, someone who I apparently had played against in water polo back before college, and even a girl in my recitation who went to same high school I did.
I really enjoyed the balance of school and being in a new city and exploring London’s local food scene, museums, and tourist attractions as well as traveling outside London to other places in the U.K. like Oxford. The best advice I could to future participant would be to branch out and make friends from different cities, countries, and backgrounds from you. It’s one thing to bond over being from the same University or home town, but its another to find out similarities and differences with people who’s background you may share nothing with. In addition when exploring the city make sure to walk around, get lost, and stumble upon a cool street, park, market, and much more local culture that’s everywhere in London except in the tourist things-to-do booklets.
I definitely want to study abroad again after this experience. Since this time I came to a familiar language, and fairly familiar culture and customs I’d love to go someplace equally as full of life as London but different in language and culture. I do not have a location in mind but I will start looking into anywhere from Berlin to Melbourne and will be even more excited to embark on another study abroad knowing how this rewarding this one has been.
