A Year in London, England
Savi Thompson (CIT, '27) is spending the academic year studying abroad in London, England. Savi says:
What is your favorite memory from your time abroad?
I joined Imperial College Choir and made several good friends. Rehearsals were always joyful. And to top it off, we performed Benjamin Britten's War Requiem at St. George's Chapel, in Windsor Castle in February!
How has living in a different culture challenged or expanded your perspective on the world?
There really are no monoliths. Also, there are a lot of ideas/values we implcitly hold that don't come to the surface until we're presented with a different possibility.
What were some unexpected challenges you faced while abroad, and what strategies did you use to overcome them?
It wasn't necessarily unexpected, but I did feel loneliness quite strongly at times. That didn't help my motivation either. I got better about booking study sessions or fun outings with friends so that I could have interactions outside of club and class times.
What personal growth have your experienced during your time abroad and how has it impacted your future goals and aspirations?
I realized I have a lot more options than I'd thought. And that being in an environment where it is easy to find community and activities is important to me. I would also say that I've gained the confidence that I can find my place in any situation.
Any advice for other students thinking of studying abroad?
Ask questions. Go on day/weekend trips (even spontaneously!). And try out a few things (hobbies, clubs, etc.) that you've never done before. Also, there's so much to experience by just walking around in different neighborhoods.