This past May, I traveled alongside 20 other students and two professors to London for three weeks to take one of two classes offered: Global Trends and a History of London taught by Dr. Haddad and Dr. Follet.  While in London, I took the Global Trends course as well as completed my Intercultural Experience. 

A Full Experience 

The first full day of our May term in London was packed: exploring St. Paul’s Cathedral, tracing the steps of famous Christian leaders such as John Newton through the streets of London, and learning to take the tube on our own for the first time. When we sat down for our evening class session, excited to talk about the day, I realized just how blessed we were. Not only did we have the opportunity to spend a month in London learning about the history and current global trends, but we got to do it with a God-honoring group of people and faithful professors. Over the course of the month, it was a growing experience for all of the students on the trip. 

Learning in the City 

Though Global Trends and History of London are challenging classes, both professors centered course material on topics that students could tangibly see and explore throughout London. Rather than just visiting museums such as the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Imperial War Museum, students would spend a portion of our morning class time that day discussing the museum's relevance to the class topics. There was often a brief overview of the museum given beforehand so students could best use their time once there. For many of us on the trip, our experience exploring London was far more meaningful and intentional because of these preparations. Once in the museums, churches, and other locations we were not restricted to following a professor but were provided with resources and given extended time to explore and find what most interested us. In class during the evenings, we brought observations and questions to our professors who were only too willing to make this element an important part of our learning experience. 

Growing Together 

Looking back through the trip it is hard to tell which was the most impactful on us. Was it the hours of class, the time touring London and landmarks, or even the free time we spent wandering from place to place and exploring with other students? Many of us remember most the awe of stepping inside Westminster Abbey for the first time or even the joy of accidentally stumbling upon hidden gems of restaurants as we tried to follow maps to the next underground station. As our group of students reached the end of our third and final week in London we were shocked by the difference between the first day and our final day. On the first day, we were nervous about moving around London as a larger group and felt lost in the huge city. By the final week, we felt more familiar with exploring the city and had a much better grasp of its history and context. 

Our experiences ranged from picnics in the park, afternoons in art museums, eating fresh strawberries from street markets, to seeing the crown jewels in the Tower of London. It was bittersweet on our final day to leave both a place we had come to love even in our very brief time visiting, and the people we had grown close to over the three weeks. Just this month-long study abroad has given me the confidence to challenge myself in new ways and broadened my understanding of the world we live in.

Connect with us