Goodbyes are the hardest when you love something so dearly. I must say over these short six weeks I’ve come to connect and cherish the city of London for all its beauty. Its people, history, culture, and everything about my temporary home will sit in my heart forever. This study abroad opportunity has truly been a once-in-a-lifetime experience I truly cannot be more thankful for. If you asked me at the beginning of this past academic year if I would be spending half a summer in the United Kingdom, I would say it’s only a fairytale. Now, I can happily share my real-life experiences, dearest, moments, areas of growth, and favorite photos. During this time of reflection, here’s what I will be taking home.

From the absolute start of GBI London, I could feel that that this new environment was going to change myself for the better. I immediately fell in love with the Maide of Vale neighborhood around me. Its streets lined with beautiful architecture was an everyday visual I absolutely adored. Living with five other girls in a relatively small flat, required loads of adaptability and patience. Yet, I’ve learned so much from my closest peers about themselves and their experiences, that its made me feel whole to be apart of it now. Outside of our flat, CEA Capa provided us with many activities that allowed us to explore much of what London and other areas of England, can offer. Through moments such as Curry Night, Greenwich Boat Tour, Kensington Palace tour and a day at Stonehenge and Bath, were time I’ve chained a level of cultural competence. Seeing so much, not only British culture but many others, were some of the most brilliant, eye-opening aspects of this journey. My hometown of Pittsburgh isn’t very diverse to say the least, but through this time I was able to learn so much while being respectful of other cultures was amazing. However most importantly, this recent practice of cultural intelligence for other cultures grew a newfound respect and pride for my own Hispanic background. Folks in London uplift and support diversity so hugely I want to bring that to campus more.

Even though this is my summer, I can’t truly express how much I appreciate my time interning with Vaela these past few weeks. As a rising entrepreneur who’s pursuing an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Certificate, seeing how a small business operates and manages in real life has truly expanded my knowledge and love for entrepreneurism. From social media marketing to branding and product development, all the way to corporate governance there have been some important insights that’ll help me pursue my future business endeavors. Specifically, I was able to sit in on investor conversations where I was able to grasp the importance of pitching through body language and verbiage. This I will carry into my professional career.

In all, GBI London has taught me greatly about adaptability, independence, mindfulness, and how much patience is a virtue, along with much more. I want to take my experience as a whole and bring it back to campus for the better through my Teaching Assistant and Resident Assistant roles. I understand that my students will be of various cultures and through my recent learnings, I will strive to ensure they are seen and respected. Many of my first-years will be experiencing their first taste of being away from home for so long… some many miles away. I want to be an example of what greatness can come from independence and how that can be incorporated into academic success. One thing I absolutely will do is praise the opportunity of studying abroad while in secondary education. This experience has built so many core memories for me, I want all students to have that chance as well.

In the end, I cannot be more than appreciative and grateful for being in London this summer. As a first-generation Latino student, I am constantly pushing so many boundaries and fighting cultural stigmas and this program is now a part of that journey. From traveling Europe to living (almost) on my own, navigating a new world and finding new friends, I am blessed. So long London, until we meet again.