What inspired you to travel abroad?
I had studied abroad in London as a sophomore in college and was absolutely dying to go back as a graduate. But the thing that made me want to do an internship post-grad was feeling like I wasn't ready to move from the classroom to the workroom quite yet.
I felt that I needed a new opportunity to experience life as a working adult, without committing to one specific career path yet. There was still so much that I needed to learn before signing on to a permanent job.
Why did you choose Beyond Academy?
I chose Beyond Academy because of three main factors: the fact that it was solely dedicated to internships, the impressive range of available countries during the pandemic, and how I could tailor the program to my individual needs.
Many programs I considered just had one or two of those qualities, but Beyond Academy was the only one that had all three.
What was your favorite part about London?
I have a deep history with London, as I've lived there for just under a year and a half in total, and have visited many times. But the thing about London that keeps me coming back, is that no matter how long you stay, it always feels fresh and new.
There's so much beauty in the architecture, the history, and the culture that continues to call me back again and again.
St. Paul's Cathedral
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
My experience was made extra special by the people in my program. When I first studied abroad in 2018, I was surrounded by the same American students that you could find on any college campus.
I was so pleasantly surprised to have Beyond Academy peers from Ireland, South Africa, India, Scotland, and more. Having our community composed of global students from all different backgrounds was incredibly cool and inspired amazing conversations throughout our time together.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
My Beyond Academy team was incredible from day one. I felt so supported by both my peers and leaders; it truly felt like a community.
Something that was so unbelievably touching for me actually happened before I arrived, as I had let the staff know about my recent graduation from an eating disorder outpatient program in America.
They immediately asked if there was anything they could do to make my time in London easier and offered to provide tools to ensure I was succeeding in my recovery. That meant everything to me.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I can honestly say I don't have any regrets. I went to all of the community events (which were great!), I had a fantastic position at a local company, connected with my Beyond Academy peers, and tried to enjoy and soak in every moment. It was such an amazing experience that I will be sure never to forget.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
My typical day included working from 9-5, enjoying dinner with my roommate, and then going out to do something fun with my Beyond Academy friends!
We loved trying new things like having a picnic in Hyde Park, visiting museums, going out to clubs, enjoying local restaurants, and more. There was so much to do and see.
Punting in Cambridge!
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
My favorite place in London has always been Trafalgar Square; I could stay in the National Gallery forever.
I also have always been a fan of Covent Garden, where they have the gorgeous Royal Opera House and the most adorable holiday lights. Finally, going to Shoreditch for a girls' night out never disappoints!
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
I stayed in student accommodation on Oxford Street, which was an unreal spot to live in! It was crazy that I could walk out of my door and be on the liveliest and busiest street in the city.
Living in the heart of central London was such a cool experience that I would recommend it to anyone; there was never a dull moment.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
There are so many awesome opportunities embedded in the program. While they're optional to attend, you should definitely participate in as many as you can; they not only connect you further with your Beyond Academy community, but they also integrate you further into your host destination.
If there's ever a time to challenge yourself and get outside your comfort zone, studying abroad is it!
Would you recommend Beyond Academy to others? Why?
I would absolutely recommend Beyond Academy to others. As someone who had the opportunity to go abroad twice, I was able to go into my internship with an informed perspective on how international programs usually run.
What I didn't anticipate was how personalized Beyond Academy's program would be to my individual interests and needs. I got to pick the exact amount of weeks I wanted to stay, what company I wanted to work for, where I wanted to live, and how much I wanted to participate in community events.
It was so liberating to make those decisions for myself, rather than participating in an overly planned program where you don't have as much freedom.
Visiting the amazing London Eye
Did your program provide specific pre-departure Covid support? If yes, tell us what kind of support you received.
My program was great at providing pre-departure Covid information such as country regulations at the time and quarantine procedures.
However, the way Beyond Academy impressed me most was by sending a care package to my accommodation on the first day of my mandatory quarantine with all kinds of fun activities and wellness gifts.
It showed how much they truly care for their program participants and that they wanted us to feel safe and taken care of from day one, even in a pandemic.
How did your program help you stay (and feel) safe abroad amidst the ongoing pandemic?
Beyond Academy's community leaders were so fantastic at being accessible - both in person and via phone - which made our whole program feel very secure in terms of Covid. They also carried around rapid tests in their backpacks on group outings, so if anyone was feeling ill we could use one at any time.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
The biggest benefit to traveling abroad is easily how it matures and wisens you as a person. The kind of independence, responsibility, and widened perspective that you get from living in a new country on your own is unparalleled.
Experiencing new cultures and meeting people you never would have met otherwise is the most enriching experience you can possibly have.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
My time abroad absolutely changed my life for the better—both personally and professionally. Before arriving in London, I had just graduated college and was terrified of the workplace and my future career.
When I returned home, I felt more informed and confident than I had ever been before. Plus, I was extremely lucky to be leaving with a new job that I had earned from my time as an intern in the program.
On top of all that, there was a level of pure happiness that being abroad had given me, one that comes solely from having an incredible, life-changing experience.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
My definition of meaningful travel is when you experience something new and it changes you for the better. I feel Beyond Academy did an incredible job of encouraging us to create meaningful travel experiences within our program by connecting us with all kinds of different activities and events.
Between seeing musicals, participating in leadership seminars, traveling to new cities, and having dinner with our community, we always had ample opportunity to meet new people and try new things.
