You’ve heard it from just about every student who has studied abroad: “Studying abroad changed my life.” And while I won’t argue with that sentiment, I believe there’s more to the story. Of course, moving to a different country is an experience in itself, but it goes far beyond the Instagram posts and travel bucket lists.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that while study abroad clichés may hold some truth, my biggest takeaway from the fall 2024 semester in London exceeded the traditional view of studying abroad. This experience — especially doing it on my own — not only changed me but also challenged me to reimagine my personal and professional goals, pushed me to seek growth, and encouraged me to embrace new opportunities, no matter how infeasible they once seemed.  

"Growing up in Iowa, I have been incredibly privileged to travel the world with my family, allowing me to understand the value of viewing the world as a lifelong classroom."

Studying abroad, however, helped me realize that I’m not just a student passively absorbing information — I can actively engage with my surroundings, reshaping my personal curriculum as I encounter new perspectives and cultures. During my time abroad, I formed lifelong friendships with six incredible people through the IES Study London Program. Together, we explored Budapest, Prague, Copenhagen, Dublin, Edinburgh, Barcelona, Paris, Brussels, Luxembourg, and, of course, London. By developing a broader understanding of my place in the world, I recognized that there is no single trajectory for my life. In fact, I hope my future holds more experiences that challenge me as much as this past semester did.  

Aside from personal growth, my experience living in London for a semester was an absolute dream. Choosing one of Europe’s biggest cities as my home base was an intentional choice — made with the expectation of living in a dynamic city globally known as a cultural hub. Whether it be the vintage fashion markets, global food halls, world-renowned architecture, historical museums, or broad demographics, London felt like a new city every day. No matter how absurd our food cravings were or how niche our interests were, London always had something to offer. While some students view English-speaking cities as less culturally immersive, my experience proved otherwise.  

The IES London: Study London Program introduced me to a network of peers and lifelong friends from universities across the U.S. These friends became my family for a whole semester, as we navigated life in a new country while exploring as much of the continent as possible. In addition to our adventures exploring London and the rest of Europe, we were also enrolled in courses centered around learning more about the city of London. My five courses delved into the history, architecture, sustainability, film, and youth culture of the city. My favorite class, however, was Architecture of London — a course that took us on weekly two and a half-hour walking tours to analyze the city’s diverse boroughs. Without this course, I wouldn’t have discovered the lesser-known, non-touristy neighborhoods of London that only locals could truly introduce us to. Through IES, I found comfort in the familiarity of studying with American students while experiencing the U.K. education system through our British professors.  

Whether it was riding the Tube across London or traveling through the rest of Europe with my new best friends, I can say with certainty that I miss my semester abroad dearly. While I feel like nothing will ever compare to those incredible four months, I’m eager to apply my new outlook on life in pursuit of opportunities that bring me the same sense of joy and adventure.  

So, what’s one thing I hope you take away from this letter? Study abroad! If possible, do it for a full semester — and do it on your own. This way, you can challenge yourself to meet more people and immerse yourself in new friendships along the journey. If you have any questions about studying abroad or need travel recommendations for London, feel free to reach out!  

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.