Author: Kennedy Browning | Major: Accounting | Semester: Summer 2025
The British History Museum was by far my favorite activity that we did as a group. It was overwhelming in a beautiful way the amount of knowledge at my fingertips, with 8 million artifacts on display.
My name is Kennedy Browning, and I am an accounting major with a minor in business analytics. I am a part of the Walton College and got the opportunity to study abroad in London, United Kingdom through the Global Business in London Program. What initially sparked my interest in the Global Business in London program was the opportunity to immerse myself in a global financial and cultural hub. London is home to some of the world’s most influential companies and institutions, and I wanted to see firsthand how business is conducted outside the U.S., especially in a city that balances tradition with innovation so seamlessly. I was also intrigued by how different political and regulatory environments shape global business strategies. The idea of experiencing those differences while engaging directly with professionals and businesses in London made the program stand out to me.
While abroad in London, I had the opportunity to explore how innovation and entrepreneurship operate in a global context. Two of the most impactful academic visits were to Turo and KickWeb3, where I gained real-world insight into how companies are leveraging technology to transform traditional business models. At Turo, I saw how peer-to-peer car sharing can scale internationally while navigating varying regulatory environments. It helped me connect classroom discussions about global expansion and risk management to a real company that’s doing it successfully. At KickWeb3, I was fascinated by how the company is positioning itself within the Web3 ecosystem. The conversations about blockchain, community-led growth, and brand identity challenged me to think critically about the future of business beyond traditional frameworks. These experiences stood out because they made the academic concepts from our global business coursework—such as market entry strategy, cultural adaptability, and digital disruption—feel tangible and relevant. Engaging directly with professionals in London gave me a clearer picture of how interconnected the world of business really is, and how important it is to understand local context even when operating in global markets.
One of my favorite personal things that I did while studying abroad was visiting the Warner Brother’s Studio Harry Potter experience. I have been a big Harry Potter fan since I was young, and this was an incredible experience for me. I spent about 4.5 hours in the exhibit and got to bring my favorite childhood book series to life while also learning how exactly the films were made and the books were brought to life. Another one of my favorite activities was going to The Borough Market. Since our hotel was in the very center of London, we were about a 5 minute walk away from the market. It was filled with delicious local food as well as local businesses, selling spices, produce, meat, and more. I tried to Fish and Chips as well as the chocolate covered strawberries, and they were so good I had to go back and get them a second time.
My experience in London with the University of Arkansas was incredible, and I would recommend anyone to do this if they could!