Hi! My name is Meredith Arnold, and I am a current sophomore at the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business. I study management and finance, while also minoring in Spanish and working to obtain a public health certificate. This January, I had the privilege of studying abroad in London, U.K. while taking a finance course with other University of Iowa students from a Tippie faculty member. I spent approximately two weeks in London, and as a result, I left with friendships that will last a lifetime and experiences that I will cherish forever.

I am originally from Le Mars, Iowa, a small town that resides on the border of Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota. Transitioning from Le Mars to Iowa City presented a large enough change, but travelling outside of the United States to Europe for the first time was a feeling of excitement I will never forget. London is a bustling city full of heart. The city bursts with welcoming faces, exciting opportunities, and historical landmarks everywhere you turn. I remember my first time on the Tube (my first time on public transportation!) being an exhilarating ride that opened both my eyes and my ears. Regardless of where you were in London, you never knew what language the person next to you would be speaking! This made it incredibly exciting to meet and connect with new people, and as a result I learned a valuable lesson about the beauty of communication. My experience abroad truly opened my eyes to the world around me, something a small-town young woman like me would never have imagined in her wildest dreams.

However, my arrival in London was not without conflict. I arrived at Heathrow via a red-eye flight from Chicago. At that point, I had not met many of my soon-to-be classmates, and had navigated my way to the baggage claim, eager to begin my journey across the pond. After a few moments, I felt the feeling of dread many had experienced—my luggage was nowhere to be found. Eventually, I had learned that my luggage was left in Chicago, and its potential arrival to the United Kingdom was up for question. 

After explaining my problem to customer service, who kindly assisted me in filing a missing luggage report, I understood that it was out of my hands. It was not until six days and five phone calls later, and a few miles sprint across the city that I was finally reunited with my precious suitcase. As difficult as this challenge appeared, it actually added to the excitement of my London experience. 

"If I could leave you with one piece of advice from my trip, it would be this: it is never too late to begin your greatest journey. My heart was stolen by the English. I hope they never give it back."

 I learned to keep a positive attitude and perspective amidst chaos and still had the greatest six days of my life–even if it meant I was living off one pair of shoes.

Alongside connecting with Anne, I also left London with a group of new friends with whom I spent every morning, afternoon, and evening. We braved the cold days and the late nights struggling to decipher Tube lines. We laughed and smiled as we tried new foods, attended shows on the West End, cheered for the Fulham soccer team, and roamed around the beautiful city we were able to consider home for a short while.

These days, as I am back in Iowa City, I oftentimes find myself reminiscing about my few short weeks across the pond. I flip through photobooth strips from small pubs, leftover tickets from theatre shows, and old receipts and menus from small shops visited. I remember the kind faces I met while waiting in line for dinner, running around the streets in attempts to find Abbey Road, and the kind baristas who recommended their favorite coffees to me every morning. I read the books I bought in Marylebone, wear the charm bracelet I found in a small Notting Hill antique shop, and sometimes find myself using English phrases when I speak—phrases only my new friends from London would understand. If I could leave you with one piece of advice from my trip, it would be this: it is never too late to begin your greatest journey. My heart was stolen by the English. I hope they never give it back.

The Global Access Ambassador Scholarship program provides awards to study abroad for a summer, semester, or academic year. The scholarships are intended to support students who study abroad with the intent to serve as Global Access Ambassadors upon return to the UI campus. Upon completion of the study abroad program and return to UI, award recipients are asked to submit a photo and an open letter to prospective students or suggest an alternate means of sharing with prospective students.

Please note that the opinions and views expressed by ambassadors are solely those of the students and do not reflect or represent the views of International Programs or the University of Iowa.

International Programs (IP) at the University of Iowa (UI) is committed to enriching the global experience of UI students, faculty, staff, and the general public by leading efforts to promote internationally oriented teaching, research, creative work, and community engagement.  IP provides support for international students and scholars, administers scholarships and assistance for students who study, intern, or do research abroad, and provides funding opportunities and grant-writing assistance for faculty engaged in international research. IP shares their stories through various media, and by hosting multiple public engagement activities each year.