This is a picture of me at the top of the Oldman of Storr, a rock feature on the Isle of Skye in Scotland! The Isle is so far north that there was 17 hours of sunlight at the time I went! Also, the sheep to person ratio is 8 to 1!
Author: Hadley Burke | Majors: Political Science, Economics | Semester: Summer 2023
Hello, my name is Hadley Burke, and I am a political science and economics major. I participated in the AIFS Global Education Center: Summer in London program during the Summer 2023 session and studied in London, England!
At first, I was overwhelmed by how many programs were out there, but I ended up narrowing it down rather easily. It is important that you study somewhere that benefits you professionally and academically; for me, there were very few programs in Europe that offered both economic and political science classes other than in England. I was looking for a program that might reveal how political science and economics overlap in the real world, and I knew that London was a perfect choice for that endeavor! Seeking a program in a location that pertained to what I was studying was incredibly helpful in making decisions regarding my future classes, thesis work, and professional goals because I was able to explore my interests on a deeper level. In all honestly, my classes were not that amazing. I had one good instructor and one not so good instructor, but I’d say I learned plenty from both. I did enjoy my British Life and Culture class because we got to explore the city every day! We had picnics in Kensington Park, toured the British Museum, ate Indian food, and much more! Part of the reason I might have not enjoyed classes as much is because they were somewhat different than what I am used to at the UofA. Lectures are freer flowing, and there was more freedom to choose essay and discussion topics than I am used to. I am personally a very structured person, so this was not easy to adapt to, but I know others may relish in that kind of learning environment. Even though my classes were not the best, my experience in London was still impactful!
While I got to experience British culture primarily through my British Life and Culture class, I was able to experience other cultures while traveling on the weekends. I went to Florence and Amsterdam with my friend from Arkansas and then traveled to Scotland with my parents after my program had ended. That’s the amazing thing about studying abroad, especially in Europe; places are much closer together and you can easily hop from one place to another! The food in Florence was outright outstanding, but the architecture was also incredible! Every street you walked down was picturesque and historic. Amsterdam might have been my favorite city, though! The Van Gogh Museum and Ann Frank House were incredible pieces of culture that I am fortunate to have experienced. The food was also delicious, there were many local shops to stop in, and we got to take a canal cruise.
If I had to offer any advice, it would be to DO IT! There is nothing quite like studying abroad, regardless of whether things go as planned. I might not have loved my classes, but I absolutely adored the experience and would recommend it to anyone that asks. Being able to live in another country and culture is a once in a lifetime experience that offers so many valuable life lessons and skills. Plus, you might learn something about yourself that you wouldn’t have learned otherwise; studying abroad reveals your personal values, goals, and lifestyle habits in a way that living at home cannot. I also suggest going to the Study Abroad Office often! Everyone there is helpful, welcoming, and encouraging of the study abroad experience!