Studying abroad was always something I dreamed of doing. I never pictured myself choosing London as my destination; I more so imagined the streets of Italy, eating pasta and gelato, or Australia, walking alongside the Koalas. Choosing Pitt’s GBI program was an easy decision. I decided to study in London at the last minute, just before the application deadline. As my six weeks have come to an end, I can confirm that going out of your comfort zone and doing the unexpected can result in amazing, life-changing experiences. London is such an amazing city that has endless amounts to offer. From the range of different cultures to the immense history, London was the right choice for me, and I know I will be back to visit!
I would say that this has been the most impactful experience of my college journey. Apart from the coursework and internship, just living in another country for an extended period teaches you so much about yourself. It paves the way for so much growth independently, academically, and professionally. I am someone who finds comfort in familiarity. I have watched every season of the show Friends about four times, if you needed any proof. That being said, study abroad was the opposite of a familiar lifestyle. New city, new people, new food, new transportation, new fashion styles, new everything. I quickly learned that this is now something that I am able to thrive in. This experience taught me how to remain calm and confident despite the unpredictable. I have learned how to take on these new, unfamiliar environments and make the most of them with a stronger sense of effective communication, cultural awareness, and independence.
I truly think the biggest growth I saw was professionally. This was my first time interning in a professional setting. When I was first assigned my internship, I was concerned with the correlation between my future career path and what I was to be doing as my work. I could not have been more wrong. By fully immersing myself in my internship, I got so much back from it. I learned about working one-on-one with clients in a legal setting. With a passion to become a future lawyer, this is exactly the experience I needed. I learned that not everything is as it seems on the outside, and how to effectively communicate with people who come from all different backgrounds. One of my activities was to fill out our client needs assessment forms, and by completing these, I was required to hone in on listening intently and carefully, then troubleshooting from there.
I will always remember my time in London and am so grateful that I had this opportunity. A huge thank you to the scholarship donors who helped make time here in London possible! I have gained such a deeper sense of independence and self-confidence that I plan to take with me every step of the way for the rest of my life. Alongside the cultural appreciation, I gained due to the extremely diverse city. I have left London a better person, ready to take on the world and continue traveling and exploring different cultures!
