What inspired you to travel abroad?
I have wanted to go abroad since I was in high school. It's the best combination of school and travel. I am also pursuing an international studies degree, and the best way to learn is by experiencing new things in other countries!
I chose this program specifically because it is aligned with my health focus and enabled me to also spend time in Jamaica, a country I had never visited before. I was able to visit with our professor, who is from the area, and he was the best tour guide.
Christmas decorations at the famous Temple Bar in Dublin!
Why did you choose the IES Abroad London – Health Practice & Policy program?
I am pursuing a degree in health and was overjoyed to find a study abroad program with a health focus. The immediate appeal for me was the opportunity to study in both London and Jamaica.
I also took three classes that were health-focused, including a master's-level course at a partner university. Finally, there was the opportunity to volunteer for a local non-profit organization one day a week and engage with local residents. This helped me meet new people and learn more about different health systems, which is relevant to my degree.
What was your favorite part about London?
I loved how easy it was to get around the city and country via their transportation systems. Most nearby cities are just a one- to two-hour train ride away. It's also only a few hours by plane or train to get to other countries in Europe.
There is so much history—dating back much more than in the U.S.! Even the architecture goes back centuries. There are also many spots in London with observation decks that give amazing views of the city and skyline. During December, there are a lot of Christmas markets and lights everywhere, which was stunning!
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
Choosing London! There's so much to see, and the transit is very efficient. There are countless museums, which are almost all free, and many palaces and castles. Nearly all sights offer a student discount as well.
London is also an incredibly beautiful city to walk around—the architecture is stunning. It was a great host city with so many opportunities.
Port Royal in Kingston, Jamaica!
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
The staff were always approachable and kind! They truly care about each student and want to get to know more about everyone's experiences and travels.
If you had any questions or issues, they were respectful and helped you resolve them. The professors were the same way—always approachable and wanted to learn about us just as much as they wanted to teach us. There were some professors that devoted an entire class to learning from their students!
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I wish I had explored more of the partner university. There were two sections of the campus, and I only stayed on the one section for my course.
In my free time, I wish I had explored it more and engaged with students attending the university. Even amongst my class, most students were international students—this would have been a great way to learn about their experiences!
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
Depending on the day, I either had my volunteer placement, classes, or free time. I had two classes twice a week, including one at a partner university. I volunteered during business hours one day a week and had free time twice a week.
At my volunteer placement, I engaged with local residents through surveys about the healthcare services they had access to. My classes were either at the IES Centre or the partner university, with one class in the morning and one in the afternoon.
On my free days, I either explored a new city, country, or different spots around my home city. I would usually go out with friends for dinner a few times a week and would travel nearly every weekend.
Tower Bridge in central London!
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
During my free time, I explored many of London's free museums and shopping areas. I also explored the food scene in different neighborhoods, especially Soho.
Contrary to popular belief, London is actually a great spot for different types of food! Some of the best meals I had were in the Soho area, especially Indian and Filipino places.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
I lived in a shared dorm with five other girls. We each had our own room and bathroom but shared the kitchen and living area.
The accommodation was nice because we had our own space in our individual bedrooms. The kitchen also had two of everything to compensate for six girls—two fridges, stoves, etc.
The accommodation was right across the street from the tube station and also right next to a small grocery store. Very conveniently located!
River in rural Jamaica!
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
Enjoy every experience you have! Make sure to take lots of pictures and live in the moment.
The semester goes by even faster than you expect it to, and before you know it, the semester is over. Also, plan a few areas you want to visit, but don't book anything until you actually arrive and determine if there are trips you want to go on with new friends and split the costs.
Would you recommend your program to others? Why?
Definitely! The program is very supportive of its students and offers incredible experiences.
The semester or summer before your program, the provider sends out a list of weekend and day trips that you can sign up for. These offer trips at a much lower cost, and the tickets for popular tourist areas are pre-booked, as well as transportation. The provider truly prioritizes learning experiences like these.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
The best benefit of traveling abroad is learning to be independent and a go-getter. Try to combine both trips with friends and also trips by yourself, even if just for a day trip.
This taught me so much about navigating new customs and languages—even something like managing a country's public transportation. It's very freeing to be independent like this, and you never know what sights you might find!
Eiffel Tower in Paris!
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
I've learned so much more about myself as well as what type of career and travel plans I want to pursue in the future. I was able to check many countries and cities off my bucket list.
My time abroad was not just about travel, but also about learning about the local culture and speaking with locals, especially during my volunteer placement. This is a great way to truly visit a city—learn about its history and connect with the locals.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Embracing the local culture! Some of my best experiences were trying local cuisines, visiting local museums about the history of the area, and even speaking to locals and taking their recommendations.
Of course, the tourist things are amazing, but try to find a restaurant that serves the local dish or drink of the area. I also enjoyed just walking around a city without a particular destination—find a street with a lot of shops or walk through a local park.
