What inspired you to travel abroad?
My parents! They didn't go abroad during college, and it's something they always regretted. They started talking to me about the benefits of going abroad as early as middle school, so it became a dream of mine to study abroad in London during high school.
Liz was able to explore a waterfall in Iceland during a break from interning in London
Why did you choose CAPA London?
I knew I wanted to study abroad in London. I am not fluent in any other languages besides English, so I knew I wanted an English-speaking country. London has always seemed so dreamy, and my aunt and uncle RAVE about London. My university takes students to London every semester, so I didn't really have to "choose" a program; my university did it for me! However, I would choose CAPA over and over again. They do an incredible job supporting you during your time abroad, helping you navigate your host country, providing fun and interesting classes, and matching you with an awesome internship!
What was your favorite part about London?
I loved being in a walkable city. The city I live in back home is not walkable at all. I also LOVED the tube! Public transportation is the best. It was so nice to be able to hop on the tube and go somewhere and walk around. I also felt really safe in London, and everywhere you turn, it's beautiful. Explore a new area and just walk around it! It's one of my favorite parts.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
My internship. The program I went with (CAPA) does an incredible job matching you with an awesome internship in the field you've chosen. I wanted a hands-on Social Work internship, and that's exactly what I got. While the work experience was incredible, working in a foreign country also allowed me to make friends with local people and learn how to adapt to a new work culture. I cannot recommend doing an internship enough. I still keep in touch with some of my colleagues!
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
They checked in with us throughout the semester, were always offering suggestions for us, offered weekly group discussions around things like safety abroad or staying healthy abroad, and were very quick to answer email or offer to meet with us.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I wish I had explored more of the English countryside so that I could understand the difference between London and other parts of England. I only made two trips to parts of English countryside, and they were both day trips. I wish I had invested a bit more time in exploring England holistically.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
Typically, I woke up around 8, made breakfast at home, took the tube to work or walked to classes (it was a 10 minute walk), and was in class/at work from about 9:00-5:00. I had work all day Monday and Thursday and class all day on Tuesdays. Classes are 3.5 hours long, but they only meet once per week, so it really wasn't bad. I happened to "stack" my classes, so I had class all day Tuesday and then my internship class on Wednesday. School and work occupied me from about 9-5 every day, but after that, I often met some friends at a pub and either grabbed dinner out with them or cooked at home.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
I LOVED exploring new neighborhoods in London; I highly recommend doing that. London is a super safe city, so grab some friends and pick an area you've never been to before! It's a really great way to learn more about the city. Also, I made it a goal to ride every tube line (which isn't super hard), so sometimes I would grab a few friends and get off at a random tube stop and explore.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
I lived in a flat (apartment). It was a 2 bedroom/1 bath flat in Earl's Court. I was on the top floor, and so I walked up four flights of stairs every day (get those steps in, amirite?!). It was not super glamorous, but you shouldn't be spending a ton of time there anyway. Don't expect an American style apartment. It was the bare minimum and quite small; however, it was sufficient for a few months. I had a full kitchen, so it really cut down on expenses to be able to to cook at home. Don't stress about your apartment—you shouldn't be there much!!
What is one thing every future participant should know about CAPA London before their program begins?
The CAPA staff is there to support you during your time abroad. Don't be afraid to ask for a good local coffee shop or the best Indian food around. Make sure you prioritize having fun with investing in your classes. CAPA classes were challenging and sometimes took some planning in advance.
Would you recommend CAPA London to others? Why?
YES YES YES! CAPA does a great job placing you at an incredible internship; they provide you with fun excursions (at no extra cost!) during the semester. They want to support you and help you transition to your time abroad and back home, and the classes you take are pretty fun!
Enjoying a weekend trip to Scotland!
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
Exposure to new cultures is never a bad thing, and studying abroad gives you the opportunity to live in a new culture and travel to other cultures during the semester. I learned so much about the differences between cultures that I thought were very similar, like Norway and Sweden. Traveling lowers your prejudice to people who may seem different than you.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
Well, it's made me really keen on going back as soon as possible! But more than that, it's made me encourage everyone to go abroad if they can. It helped me feel so much more confident in who I am, personally and career wise, and I want other people to experience the growth I have experienced. I've learned so much about priorities and time management after living in London, and I'm applying everything I learned to my time back home.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
I think it means traveling with the intention of learning, not just being a tourist. When I traveled during my time abroad, yes I did some of the "touristy" things, but I also wanted to walk around, eat at the "hole-in-the-wall" shops and talk to local people whenever I could. I think meaningful travel means not just going to take pretty pictures, but really trying to learn about the culture and experience it authentically.
