It is hard to believe that this experience is coming to an end in a couple weeks! It went by so quickly and I am so sad that I’m going to have to leave London and the friends that I have made while being here. I have definitely grown through this experience in a lot of different ways. The first one that comes to mind is career wise because I had an internship this semester. Doing this internship made me realize that I do want to continue on the path of working in product management, specifically in the fashion industry. I have also learned how to work in a different cultural setting, which I think is a very important skill to have. I’ve grown confidence in the ability to do things by myself and navigate a big city by myself. I have also grown socially, just being able to meet people from all over the US and learn even the differences within my own home country. Honestly there is nothing I wish I knew before going into this experience. I think that going into things blindly is good because then you don’t have any expectations. Before my study abroad time I did not expect to enjoy it this much. I will admit, I was a little nervous coming to London because I was scared I was not going to enjoy it that much because I already know the city really well. However, I have found that to be quite the opposite. I have had a lot of fun, learned a lot through my classes and work, and made so many new friends. One thing that surprised me the most was that I did not travel outside of London every weekend, and that weekend travel is actually quite exhausting. Most of my weekends I enjoy just spending in London.

As my time comes to an end here in London, I just want to make the most of my last two weeks and really know every inch of the city. Recently as the weather has been getting nice, I have really enjoyed being outside and seeing how London comes to life when the sun is out (which is rare in London). I knew that my study abroad experience was going to be fun, but I have done so many things that I would have never expected before coming on this journey and I am grateful to have been able to experience them. I very sad at the thought of this semester coming to an end because I have made such good memories here.

The first photo below is when I took a day trip to Cambridge and the second is in Rome!