Before coming to London, I was excited, nervous, and had so many questions about how this experience would go. Will I ever figure out how to use the tube? Will I make friends? Will my classes and internship help improve my marketing skills? Will I find my place here? Now as I enter the final two weeks of my time here, I am confident that the answer to every single one of those questions is definitely a yes.
Living and learning in London has taught me more than any traditional classroom ever could. I have grown confident in my ability to find my way around a big city, form connections with people from around the world, and embrace the unknown with an open mind. I have learned how to trust myself, from speaking up in meetings at my internship, making travel plans all on my own, asking for help when I need it, and saying yes to things that may be out of my comfort zone.
Through my classes here, I have discovered how much you can benefit from learning in an environment where conversation and connection is prioritized. My classes with CEA CAPA have been much smaller than what I am used to at Pitt, which has encouraged me to engage more with the course material by connecting these lessons to real world scenarios. In my internship with Kind Community, I have gained hands-on experience in marketing, where I have had the opportunity to work on email campaigns, social media content, and event planning. I have also learned how important flexibility and teamwork is in the workplace, especially when working with others from different cultural backgrounds.
However, aside from all the academic and professional growth I have experienced, I think the most important takeaway has been learning how capable I am. London has taught me how to adapt, how to listen to others, how to be a leader, and how to grow, even when you feel uncomfortable or out of place. I will carry these lessons with me not just throughout the rest of my time as a student at Pitt Business, but also as a future marketer. Whether I am starting a new position or moving to a new city again someday, I will be able to navigate these changes with the confidence I have gained in my time abroad.
My abroad experience was not just about studying and working in London, but about finding my place in a city I had never been before. All the moments throughout the semester that felt so unimportant at the time, are the things I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I have made lifelong friendships during my time here, and have found a home away from home. This semester has changed me forever.
London, thank you for being everything I needed and so much more. You will always have a piece of me.
So long, London.