Gemma Miller teaches British Life and Culture, a staple course in the London Centre experience. It鈥檚 worth two credits and is the only required course in the program. It involves experiential activities throughout London, including market tours, food sampling, football games, and theatre. Miller also teaches Shakespeare, with students studying the famous playwright while watching his shows performed by London actors.

Miller said she has her dream job working with study abroad students across a range of institutes.

鈥淚t鈥檚 quite a fun group,鈥� she said about her experience with 麻豆影院 students. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e always up for different experiences, which is great.鈥�

Miller suggests students explore beyond the London Centre during their term, whether it be around the United Kingdom and Europe or just in London itself.

鈥淭ry and say yes to everything once,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou don鈥檛 know until you try it.鈥�

History lesson

Kate Connelly is a historian with a focus on the 19th century. She is interested in the militant suffragette movements and has written about Marxism and socialist movements during the time. She teaches a course called The Impact of Empire on Great Britain, a history class that explores the effect of British imperialism on many levels, including arts, music, economics, and press.

鈥淚 love to hear what 麻豆影院 students have to say,鈥� Connelly said. 鈥淭hey bring so many ideas, so many experiences to the classroom.鈥�

She encourages prospective students to come ready to explore London off the beaten path.

鈥淲e have this fantastic, interesting, weird, contradictory city right on our doorstep,鈥� she said. 鈥淎sk us for tips and advice. We鈥檙e more than happy to recommend interesting places to go and explore.鈥�

Urban anthropology

Nicholas James is an anthropologist who runs a small business and teaches at Cambridge University when he isn鈥檛 at the London Centre. He teaches Urban Anthropology of London, a project-based class where students choose an aspect of London life to study. Along with other readings and discussion, each student spends the term working toward completing an ethnographic paper of their own topic and design.

鈥淢y course’s leading feature is the hope that each student will undertake an investigation of some aspect of London life that enables them, each in their own way, to become something of a London 鈥榣ocal,鈥欌�� James said.

He hopes those who participate in the program will use it as an opportunity to learn and explore.

Art history

Katie Godman teaches Art Now, an immersive contemporary art history class based on visits to many of London鈥檚 galleries and exhibitions. She鈥檚 busy outside the London Centre too; Godman is a lecturer on art of the 19th century. She鈥檚 written about gothic fashion history, and she is the curator of the Blandford Fashion Museum.

鈥淚 love going to museums and art galleries, so I get quite excited to show off the art galleries and the exhibitions to the students,鈥� she said.

Godman loves the enthusiasm of 麻豆影院 students, and she wants everyone who comes to London to feel welcome and comfortable, even with the change of scenery.

鈥淲e鈥檒l do our best to make you feel at home,鈥� she said.

Music and history

Even an ocean away from the 麻豆影院 Conservatory of Music, Mary-Jannet Leith, or MJ as she is known, brings music to 麻豆影院 students. She teaches a class called The Grand Tour. This course explores Western music between 1650-1800 and brings students to symphonies around London. She also lectures on historical performance practice at Europe University and is a professional recorder performer.

Leith loves the energy 麻豆影院 students bring to her classroom.

鈥淓veryone鈥檚 so enthusiastic, with such great passion for their own interests,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so inspiring working with students who come here.鈥�

Leith advises students to look into free venues and events in London, such as museums and galleries.

鈥淎nything you鈥檙e interested in, you can find in London,鈥� she said. 鈥淭here are so many back streets with fascinating stories.鈥�

Leith鈥檚 class is open to anyone, regardless of their experience or history in music, and she welcomes everyone to join.

British politics

Louise Raw describes herself as a jack-of-all-trades鈥攁 historian, writer, journalist, and activist. At the London Centre, she teaches Modern British Politics and A City Shaped by Migration.

Raw wants to rebuke any preconception that Modern British Politics is boring. In addition to exploring some of Britain鈥檚 most important places, such as the Palace of Westminster, where Parliament meets, she delves into scandals and controversies.

A City Shaped by Migration explores the successive ways people have come to London from all over the world.

鈥淚t鈥檚 no secret that I love teaching Lawrentians,鈥� Raw said. 鈥淎ll my students have been so smart, so engaged, and have so many different skills. It really is a treat.鈥�

Raw said Americans will find a warm welcome, even amongst the big city bustle of London.

鈥淲e鈥檒l make sure you have a good time,鈥� she said.

Literary London

Susie Thomas teaches Literary London, and she said the London Centre couldn鈥檛 be a better place for this class. She loves teaching in the heart of London鈥檚 literature scene where many famous writers lived and wrote.

鈥淲e can go in any direction and come across somewhere that鈥檚 set in a novel or somewhere a writer lived,鈥� she said.

Thomas said studying in London can be a great adventure.听

鈥淚f you get a bit lost, you鈥檒l find a tube station,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd in the process of getting a little lost, you might find your favorite cafe, or somewhere really interesting that you weren鈥檛 setting out for.鈥�

A guiding voice

London Centre Director Lee White is the beating heart of the program. From his office in the London Centre, he plans excursions, schedules courses, and is ready to make London the best experience it can be.

鈥淚 think coming here, you have a real opportunity to get out of the 麻豆影院 bubble,鈥� he said.

White warns that the 10 weeks of the program go quickly, but with a good plan, there鈥檚 much to see and do even beyond London and the United Kingdom.

鈥淭hink about what it is you鈥檙e really interested in,鈥� he said. 鈥淔ind the thing which will allow you to create an experience you will remember for the rest of your life. It鈥檚 the small things that can make a difference.鈥�

From Appleton to London

Every year, a 麻豆影院 professor visits the London Centre to teach one or two courses. Next on the docket is English professor Celia Barnes, who will be at London Centre for Spring Term. She specializes in British literature at 麻豆影院, and this year she鈥檚 taking her expertise to the heart of British culture and history.听

Barnes will be teaching two classes. The first is Black Britons, which is inspired by David Olusoga鈥檚 book, Black and British. This class will explore empire and race in a global context and interact with the Black arts and culture of London.听

The second is called Domesticating Literature: the London House Museum. This class delves into the idea of homes of famous writers and other historical figures being used as museums in the modern day. Barnes said she鈥檚 fascinated by how a person鈥檚 life is told through their home and their belongings.听

鈥淚 love the idea of teaching these courses to LU students in London itself,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 such a lovely opportunity to make literature and history come alive by going directly to the source, as it were.鈥�

鈥淚 am a student-athlete, but I am many other things besides, and it was important to me to be somewhere that I could develop not only as an athlete but as a student and a person.”
– Rain Orsi ’24

鈥淚 knew that if I chose to continue my athletics into college, I wanted to make sure I did so in a way that still allowed me to do other things that were important to me,鈥� Orsi said. 鈥淚 am a student-athlete, but I am many other things besides, and it was important to me to be somewhere that I could develop not only as an athlete but as a student and a person. 麻豆影院 wound up being the school that allowed me all three of those things.鈥�

Study abroad takes student-athletes away from their team, away from their training regimen. At many schools, that鈥檚 a deal-breaker. At 麻豆影院, it鈥檚 a promise made during the recruiting process. Athletes are not only allowed to go abroad; they are encouraged to do so.

Jason Imperati, director of athletics at 麻豆影院, calls it a 鈥渕ajor recruiting tool.鈥� Joe Sagar, 麻豆影院鈥檚 women鈥檚 soccer coach, points to 麻豆影院鈥檚 trimester system as an advantage. It allows student-athletes to be abroad for one 10-week term rather than half the academic year. 20% of his roster this past year studied abroad in either Winter or Spring terms.

鈥淪tudying abroad is a major opportunity for a young person to grow themselves in terms of experiences and cultural awareness, experiencing things they have never done before,鈥� Sagar said. 鈥淚t is a huge part of the women鈥檚 soccer program.鈥�

While London, where 麻豆影院 has featured the London Centre for more than 50 years, remains the most popular study abroad destination for Lawrentians, it is but one of many options. Nearly 50 programs in 30 countries are available to 麻豆影院 students.听

Studying in New Zealand

Dreher joined three of her soccer teammates from the Class of 2025鈥擬aya Alberts, Natalie Linebarger, and Sophia Morin鈥攁t the University of Auckland in New Zealand for Spring Term. She took classes in marine science and marine organisms, building on work she鈥檚 done at 麻豆影院 in preparation for a graduate program in marine biology.

She said New Zealand was on her radar after a soccer teammate last year raved about her study abroad experience there.

鈥淭he classes offered were different and specifically for marine science,鈥� Dreher said. 鈥淭he program in Auckland is very popular as the country is surrounded by the ocean. I wanted to experience the environment that New Zealand had to offer鈥攖hings such as surfing, going on amazing hikes, always being less than a 10-minute walk to the ocean. It has been an unreal experience.鈥�

Dreher also joined Morin and Linebarger in taking a class focused on local dance customs.

鈥淚 have learned seven different dances and songs that all have different meanings such as to show love, show fierceness entering battle, give awareness to an issue, or remember someone who has passed,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his class really pushed me out of my comfort zone.鈥�

Softball player Mattigan Haller cherishes lessons learned in Mexico

Men’s basketball players bond on trip to Greece

Dreher and the others also trained and competed with the University of Auckland soccer team, allowing them to stay connected to the game. Her 麻豆影院 coaches remained mostly hands-off while she and her teammates were abroad, asking only for sensible decisions when it comes to training.

鈥淏eing in the 麻豆影院 women鈥檚 soccer program, our team instills that we are not only working and training for ourselves but for the players next to you on the field, so continuing to weight-lift, condition, and get touches on the ball is something that we do as much as we can,鈥� Dreher said.

The Argentina experience

Orsi said she chose to study in Argentina because it was a Spanish language immersion program.

鈥淏etween living with my host family and the classes I selected, I ended up in almost a full language-immersion environment, which is what I wanted out of studying abroad,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t was a wonderful experience.鈥�

Orsi said her term studying abroad came following cross country and track seasons in which she was battling injuries. While she was still training in Argentina, it was at a less intense pace.

鈥淢y study abroad was a well-timed step back,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 took the time I was going to be abroad to focus on running consistent mileage again, even if it was lower than I would run normally, and building up my strength again in a way that wouldn鈥檛 re-injure me. When I came back to Wisconsin, I ended up having one of the best outdoor track seasons of my career, and I think in large part that was because I got to take a step back from competing while I was abroad and just focus on training for the long term.鈥�

Along with a burgeoning downtown and gastronomic experiences, the freedom offered at 麻豆影院 was a big draw for Haller. 麻豆影院 was a place where she could pursue three majors, play a sport, study abroad, and still have time to participate in several different clubs and organizations.听听

Haller鈥檚 love for and choice to study Spanish in college was long founded. For years, her family hosted exchange students through the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. The first student they hosted was from Mexico, and Haller and her family are still in contact with her today.听听

It was through this exchange student that Haller was able to develop a study abroad experience in San Luis Potos铆, Mexico.听听

鈥淗er husband is an anesthesiologist, and that was what kind of formed the connection,鈥� Haller said. 鈥淔rom there, I was able to shadow and assist in surgeries, intubate patients, give anesthesia.鈥澨�

Madera Allan, associate professor of Spanish and Haller鈥檚 Spanish advisor, also helped her design the experience. While in Mexico, Haller was able to participate in more than 50 different procedures. With Allan鈥檚 help, she plans to turn her experience into an independent study next academic year, looking at the way medicine adapts with culture.听

In addition to her rigorous academic load, Haller also thrives on the softball diamond. The ability to compete in her sport and still pursue other academic and personal endeavors aided her decision to attend 麻豆影院.听

鈥淭here鈥檚 an emphasis here at 麻豆影院 on, you鈥檙e a student (first), then you’re an athlete,鈥� Haller said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 something that really made me want to come to 麻豆影院, because I wasn鈥檛 ready to stop playing. There鈥檚 a really good balance here at 麻豆影院.鈥澨�

Haller also got involved in clubs and organizations on campus, including the Presidential Student Advisory Board鈥攚here she met with President Laurie A. Carter and her board to discuss a broad range of topics, including the Pre-Health Living Learning Community Board and LIGHT (Lawrentians Inspiring Global Change Together).听听

Haller is also involved with the first gen organization on campus. She said she felt supported by the 麻豆影院 community, particularly by Allan, who was also a first gen student.听听

听鈥淪he鈥檚 just very personable,鈥� Haller said. 鈥淲e have a lot of different areas where we connect, and she goes out of her way to make sure I鈥檓 doing OK. She鈥檚 an amazing professor.鈥澨�

Although she has another year before graduation, Haller is busy planning for her future, a prerequisite, she said, for being a pre-med student. This summer, she is studying for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), with plans to take the exam in the fall.听听

The past nine months have been particularly exciting for Weber. Starting in June 2023, she dove into summer research developing an open-source microscope. Her research centered around how to bring research-grade microscopy into the classroom by making it more cost-effective.听

Components of the microscope were either 3D printed, courtesy of the 麻豆影院 University Makerspace, or created with easily accessible software. The replicability of the microscope makes it ideal for an undergraduate setting.听

鈥淏ecause it is mostly 3D printed, we鈥檙e able to present it to other schools, and they can make it easily, so that sharing the knowledge is the goal,鈥� Weber said.听

“I really liked the puzzle aspect of physics, and the desire to find out more about the world and figure out how it worked.鈥�听
– Grace Weber, physics major

Weber had an exciting opportunity to share her knowledge when she and her co-worker, Joseph Carpenter, a junior math and physics major from Minneapolis, received a grant from the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium (WSGC) to fund their continued research and work on the microscope. It also came with an opportunity to give a presentation at the Wisconsin Space Conference in August 2023.听听

鈥淏eing able to share the research that I had done really helped me prepare for my future and brought me a lot of excitement,鈥� Weber said.听

Video:

Doug Martin, associate professor of physics and Weber鈥檚 academic advisor, said working with her on the microscope has been a privilege.听听

鈥淕race has found a great balance between listening for foundational ideas and diving in to move the project ahead,鈥� Martin said. 鈥淚 look forward to each microscope meeting, wondering, 鈥榳hat will Grace bring today? How many steps ahead is she already?鈥� I鈥檓 really excited to see what Grace does next.鈥澨�

Thanks to her high school credits and her fall semester study abroad experience in Amsterdam, Weber鈥檚 next step is to graduate 麻豆影院 in three years. Spending a semester abroad鈥攃ompared to 麻豆影院鈥檚 trimester schedule鈥攁llowed her to accrue more credits.听听

Studying abroad in Amsterdam also allowed Weber to embrace the liberal arts foundation of a 麻豆影院 education鈥攅xploring new academic fields and experiencing different world views.听听

鈥淚 did more social science, humanities, trying to broaden my horizons,鈥� Weber said. 鈥淚 was able to take a lot of classes about Dutch culture and general different views than I would have learned about in America.鈥澨�

Upon her return to the States, Weber took her research a step further. As part of her senior project, she is working on making the microscope capable of 3D imaging. By modifying the microscope lenses, she can code it to track a particle in three dimensions.听听

Looking to the future, Weber plans to attend graduate school at the University of Minnesota, where she will study medical physics.听听听

The medical physics field, Weber said, works with coding various pieces of medical equipment, such as linear accelerators, MRI scanners, and ultrasounds.听

鈥淚 want to, in the future, hopefully be a clinical medical physicist where I鈥檇 be able to work with cancer patients and create treatment plans,鈥� Weber said.听

Gamalinda earned a Ph.D. in African cultural studies and a master鈥檚 degree in French studies, both at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a bachelor鈥檚 degree in French language and literature at Amherst College. She was a 2021-22 Andrew Mellon Public Humanities Fellow and was awarded a 2019 Chancellors Pre-dissertator Fellowship at UW-Madison.

We caught up with her to talk about interests in and out of the classroom.

In the classroom

Inside info:听What鈥檚 one thing you want every student coming into your classes to know about you?

I learn something new every time I do whatever homework I鈥檝e assigned for the class. I am always realizing something I鈥檝e missed. When I was in college, I often felt like there was so much more I was supposed to be getting out of what I was doing, and sometimes I could only scratch the surface of things鈥攅specially if it was reading a book (really fast and late at night). I feel that I should tell students more often that this might just be how it goes, how it feels for right now. But if and when one of those things鈥攁 story, an idea, an image鈥攃ycles back around into your life, it can knock you back on your heels with how much more meaning you can find packed into it, especially thanks to how much you鈥檝e grown since the last encounter. It鈥檚 an awesome experience, and it鈥檚 something to look forward to after the classes are all over.

Getting energized:听What work have you done or will you be doing at 麻豆影院 that gets you the most excited?

I am so excited to go with students to Senegal next Spring Term. I cannot wait to take Wolof classes鈥擨 love language learning.

Going places:听Is there an example of somewhere your career has taken you (either a physical space or something more intellectual, emotional, or spiritual) that took you by surprise?

On a more personal and intellectual level, I was surprised to realize that studying French became studying race and colonialism, and that in the end a lot of the questions that guide my research are ones I am asking myself about how to live and be in this world. I did not consciously pick French 101 in college because I wanted to know more about myself, but it turns out that the humanities, liberal arts, and cultural studies are awesome for drawing you into those kinds of questions, no matter what language or cultural context they鈥檙e in.

Out of the classroom

This or that:听If you weren鈥檛 teaching for a living, what would you be doing?听听

I鈥檇 be running a yarn shop and caf茅, knitting, spinning, crafting, and鈥� probably still teaching (knitting).

Right at home:听Whether for work, relaxation or reflection, what鈥檚 your favorite spot on campus?

The PQ stacks in the library鈥攚here all the French and francophone studies books live. Being overwhelmed by the number of books I haven鈥檛 read is really energizing.

One book, one recording, one film:听Name one of each that speaks to your soul? Or you would recommend to a friend? Or both?

A Tale for the Time Being (2013) by Ruth Ozeki: I laughed and cried and drifted in thought while reading this book. It鈥檚 鈥渕etafictional鈥� and has the occasional footnote, which is totally up my alley, and was also the first book鈥擨 think鈥擨 read about a Japanese-American woman. It鈥檚 also written by a Japanese-Canadian woman.

Ctrl (2017 album) by SZA: Whatever reverb and mixing they did is perfection, and SZA is a vocal dream. The sound of the album creates a kind of physical space that feels so good. What better time to be twenty-something than when Ctrl was released.

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) by Peter Jackson: It鈥檚 the movie I have seen the most times and for which I can quote the most lines (as in, all of them). It鈥檚 comfort food for sick days and holidays; I鈥檝e watched it so many times with so many different people and it holds a lot of nostalgia and fond memories for me. The Two Towers is my favorite because we鈥檙e already in it and there鈥檚 no need to build conflict or resolve it; just crash through the thick of it for three whole hours.

Sydney Seeley and Emma Vasconez interned during their time at the London Centre during Spring Term, and both said the connections they made and the experiences they had will be valuable as they consider next steps after they graduate.

鈥淓ven when you go to a different country, connections are so important,鈥� Vasconez said.

Seeley, a junior psychology major from Prescott, Wisconsin, worked remotely for an international marketing company while in London, and Vasconez, a junior government and business and entrepreneurship double major from Huntley, Illinios, worked for Member of Parliament Tulip Siddiq while at London Centre.

麻豆影院 partners with Florida State University to match students studying in London with internships that fit their interests, said Lezlie Weber, director of 麻豆影院鈥檚 Off-Campus Programs.

鈥淲e work with students on preparation,鈥� Weber said. 鈥淚nterning students are guided on how to apply for internships and the necessary visa.鈥�

According to Seeley and Vasconez, interning abroad is so much more than the work experience. For them, being an intern is all about culture and connections.

Vasconez appreciates now having friends in her field with valuable insight and hopes to work with them again. She connected with her co-workers, often socializing at the end of a work day.

Seeley, meanwhile, connected strongly with her co-workers even though she was working remotely.

鈥淚鈥檓 excited to keep in touch with all these people, and maybe come back and work here when I graduate,鈥� Seeley said. 鈥淭he company has offices in the U.S. as well, so I have connections there, too.鈥�

Interns connect with more than their colleagues. The work environment helps them connect to the local culture and community as well. Vasconez said she found her time outside of the office insightful. She saw London up-close through her commute and time working in the constituency. She helped canvass and deliver annual reports in addition to her drafting work in-office.

鈥淵ou see what life is really like there,鈥� Vasconez said.

Seeley and Vasconez agreed that learning about the culture was much more impactful while immersed in it.

鈥淚n the workplace, you have to know how to interact with your manager versus your coworker,鈥� Vasconez said. 鈥淭hey don鈥檛 teach you that in a classroom.鈥�

They learned to adapt to an unfamiliar workplace culture.

鈥淭here was such a good work-life balance,鈥� Seeley said. 鈥淭hey were very respectful of others鈥� time.鈥�

Seeley was part of her company鈥檚 partnerships team. She scouted celebrities and influencers for marketing campaigns to present to clients, and she brainstormed social media campaigns with co-workers. Over the course of her internship, the team worked with Amazon Prime Video to promote an upcoming series.

Seeley loved the experience that combined her areas of study in psychology, economics, and entrepreneurship.

鈥淚t was interesting getting that hands-on experience,鈥� Seeley said.听 鈥淲hen you see an ad, you don鈥檛 realize all the little pieces that go into it.鈥�

Seely鈥檚 internship culminated in a final day on set where she got to see the production, which she helped pitch, being shot while also meeting the celebrities the team had selected.

鈥淚t was really cool seeing the production side of things, too,鈥� she said.

For Vasconez, the internship experience in Siddiq鈥檚 office assured her that she鈥檚 following the right path.

鈥淚 definitely like the field I鈥檓 in, and it was interesting to see how the UK government works, too,鈥� she said.

Even in countries where internships are unavailable, there are experiential learning opportunities for Lawrentians studying abroad, Weber said. Students can be connected to job shadowing, service learning, and more.

鈥淥ur hours for our internships were coordinated around our school schedule,鈥� Seeley said. 鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 super challenging to work and learn at the same time.鈥�

Dombrower鈥檚 blogs .

Dombrower, who had never traveled outside the United States before, said she went in with goals rather than expectations. She took the adventure day-by-day, which she said helped ease initial culture shock. She was able to appreciate Amman for what it is rather than what she鈥檇 been told it was.

鈥淚t鈥檚 beautiful,鈥� said Dombrower. 鈥淭here are little pockets with Byzantine gardens, old Roman architecture, and white or stone houses. There鈥檚 a lot of great street art as well.鈥�

One of Dombrower鈥檚 goals was to learn the colloquial dialect of Arabic to communicate effectively in Jordan. Arabic regional dialects differ greatly, but she learned Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), which was her foundation for learning Levantine Arabic, commonly spoken in Jordan. Although learning was sometimes frustrating, Dombrower relished the opportunity to learn the language from the people who contribute to its evolution every day.

鈥淲hen you鈥檙e there, you鈥檙e constantly pushing yourself, constantly extending yourself in new situations, extending yourself to communicate,鈥� Dombrower said. 鈥淚 learned to trust the progress I had made. 鈥 can communicate using this language more than I thought I could.鈥�

Though speaking is a large part of learning to communicate, Dombrower was careful not to neglect listening, and recognized herself as a visitor within an unfamiliar culture. Dombrower put Western preconceptions of Jordan and the Middle East aside and focused on learning from her host family and other Jordanians, and found her goals slid into place.

鈥淭he whole experience of learning a language while immersed in its culture and talking to people who are contributing to the evolution of that language is amazing,鈥� she said.

Her favorite thing about being abroad? The food. Jordan has many unique foods, but lots of Jordanian food is integrated with foods from other cultures, too. She and her host family ate a lot of kabsa, an Arab chicken and rice dish. Downtown, Dombrower would often get falafel with her friends, though it鈥檚 usually a breakfast food in Amman. Another favorite while out and about was manakeesh, a flatbread dish.

While Dombrower learned a lot while in Jordan, being abroad also gave her a taste of the knowledge she has yet to master.

鈥淭here鈥檚 still so much to see and learn, and there鈥檚 so many languages in the world,鈥� Dombrower said.

Before I get too far along in sharing my story, let me say this: For 麻豆影院 students considering traveling abroad, Shannon Featherstone, Off-Campus Programs associate, is the perfect person to speak to. She is both encouraging and realistic about your options. She helped me decide London was my perfect fit. It never hurts to speak to your advisor as well to make sure you鈥檙e on track with requirements.

Great Britain and Vikings have a bit of a history. Thankfully, its history with the Lawrentian brand of Vikings has been much more pleasant! A 麻豆影院 staple for over 50 years and the most popular study abroad destination, the London Centre is a program for any student regardless of major. Based heavily around experiential learning, it is a perfect mix of familiar and fresh for students looking for opportunities to explore a new country.

As a history major, I chose classes on history, anthropology, and Baroque music, but other available classes included a required fourth British Life and Culture course, theater, contemporary art, studio instruction, and an optional internship seminar. Students in London aren鈥檛 just allowed but encouraged to experiment, explore, and expand their horizons. Still anxious about living abroad, I knew London would be just the right amount of difficulty.

With the trip and classes decided, I had an intimidating but exciting summer to prepare. I found multiple Lawrentians taking the same flight. When the big day finally came, we weathered all the ups and downs on the journey to London and our apartment together, and I can鈥檛 recommend enough looking for travel partners ahead of time.

London Centre is located in the heart of the Bloomsbury district, walking distance to Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square, Soho, the West End, and other popular destinations. As for the apartment itself, 15 or so of us Lawrentians got to live eight per apartment, three to four per room, with restaurants, a grocery store, and the tube station to anywhere in London right around the corner. Classes are in the building next door, perfect for rainy days. It wasn鈥檛 too hard to get settled in.

Also helpful for getting us settled in was the faculty and staff, including London Centre Director Lee White, who always had students鈥� interests in mind and made sure we got the most out of our trip. He even hosted tea time every week with the quintessential British biscuits and Jaffa cakes to enjoy. Student Affairs Manager Meg Griffin of FSU also helped get us settled and always had amusing quips ready to fire.

The incredible experiences began immediately. Our classes toured historic sites such as churches and bustling markets, attended plays and concerts or just strolled the streets with professors discussing London鈥檚 history with the British monarchy, LGBTQ+ community, Judaism, and more. I had never heard a harpsichord in person before, and thanks to my Baroque music class, it became a weekly joy.

Applications for studying at London Centre during 2023-24 academic year due March 1

Soho is where the music shops tend to be. Mayfair is where to go for fancy luxury items. The British Museum is just down the street from the apartments and there are countless other museums to explore. I did experience a couple culture shocks鈥攕mall, crunchy snack pretzels are nearly impossible to find, and most light switches are outside the room they light up鈥攂ut adjusting wasn鈥檛 nearly as hard as I had feared.

I had arrived in London with plans: Gather information for a senior capstone idea, visit some museums, raid every music store on the map, and find the legendary Squashies鈥攁 family-favorite British candy that has tragically vanished from American shelves.

In this diverse metropolis, however, your plans might not always go as expected…and here鈥檚 how that can be a great thing: My capstone idea ended up morphing into something else entirely, there were far too many great music stores to make a complete sweep, and my candy quarry was right in our favorite supermarket just down the street; a little anticlimactic, but my family鈥檚 faces when I brought back 20 bags made it all worth it.

麻豆影院 alumni reflect on 50 years of memories at London Centre

To top it all off, there I was with midterm break approaching, expecting to spend it all in London鈥攏ot on White鈥檚 watch. With all of Europe to explore and White鈥檚 airline recommendations, I鈥攖he same person who doubted they could prepare enough for London even with the help of family鈥攁rranged an incredible four-day trip to Luxembourg. What kind of crazy adventurer had the London Centre turned me into?

Of course, not all surprises were pleasant. The passing of the Queen the day after we arrived put London into a reverent lull for a time, but the dogged British spirit meant the city never truly stopped. One class even brought us to a public broadcast of the funeral services. Although a somber event, witnessing the U.K. pay tribute to its beloved 70-year monarch and crown a new king was an honor to witness and a memory I鈥檒l never forget.

Many of my favorite memories from London are of us finding unique spots in the city that we made our own. One of my happy discoveries was The Tintin Shop, an entire store based on Herge虂鈥檚 The Adventures of Tintin series, a staple of my childhood. A fellow Lawrentian was delighted to find a store dedicated to the Warhammer series of strategic board games. Learning that I was a Warhammerbeginner, he invited me to tag along and we enjoyed a thrilling game together.

As for other favorite spots, Denmark Street is lined with fantastic music and instrument shops, and Cecil Court is a haven for fans of old books, maps, and antiques. Nobody should dare miss the trip to Brighton where every store you could ask for is crammed into a picturesque seaside town.

Classes at the London Centre had their challenges, much like a regular term at 麻豆影院, but overall, I couldn鈥檛 be happier with my choice. I came home loaded with Squashies, fascinating books, a waist-high stack of CDs, and precious knowledge and perspective I鈥檒l be using for the rest of my life.

麻豆影院 had already been a large adjustment for me as I figured out time and work management in an adult world. Studying abroad, however, has taught me so much more about what I鈥檓 truly capable of.

There will be plenty of moments outside your comfort zone, but never will you be without help and encouragement to push those boundaries and become a stronger person. If you鈥檙e considering studying abroad, take the chance while you can. Applications for London Centre 2023鈥�24 are due March 1. Safe travels!

English is not popularly spoken in Senegal, meaning students have to rely on their French and Wolof skills. This challenge appealed to Rynkiewicz.

International relations and government double major Iyanu Osunmo, meanwhile, traveled to Rome to take international relations classes and learn about the history and dynamics of the entire Mediterranean region. She enjoyed Italian hallmarks like carbonara, gelato, operas, the Spanish Steps, and the Colosseum, but she also enjoyed the unexpected sights such as a Michael Jackson impersonator.

鈥淚 really enjoyed how dynamic Rome was as a city,鈥� Osunmo said. 鈥淚 also enjoyed the food, architecture, and museums.鈥�

She also said Rome offers great opportunities to learn about international relations and politics.

With more than 50 programs in 30 countries to choose from, here are what other top Lawrentian destinations have to offer.

United Kingdom: 麻豆影院鈥檚 famous London Centre is a low-stress opportunity where any student can explore their passions in the cosmopolitan metropolis. With no prerequisites, the London Centre is a great starting point for international travelers. Also available is focused study of a single topic amongst British peers at one of six colleges in Oxford. Whether in London or Oxford, the UK is a great balance of familiar and fresh for Lawrentians.

Spain: Lawrentians traveling to Spain can choose to study either at the University of Salamanca or Granada. With numerous opportunities to test their Spanish skills in these two historic and beautiful cities, Lawrentians can take university courses exploring Hispanic and Iberian history and culture. Fun fact: The University of Salamanca was founded in 1218 by King Alfonso 鈪� of Le贸n, and is one of the oldest universities still in operation in the world.

Jordan: Those interested in Arabic and the Middle East have the opportunity to study both in the Jordanian capital, Amman. Whether Arabic beginners or experts, any interested student can take a variety of courses with both English and Arabic instruction, as well as partake in local community experiences. The area has been inhabited since at least 7,000 蕶.岽�.岽�., making Amman a historical marvel for interested students.

Germany: 麻豆影院鈥檚 options for students interested in traveling to Germany include studying language and area studies at the Humboldt Universit盲t in Berlin, another language and area studies program at the Albert-Ludwigs Universit盲t in Freiburg, and the IES European Union program, where students study the EU over 22 days of travel and hold a week-long EU simulation. In this fascinating and culturally rich country only reunified 33 years ago, this program could be your next big step in finding ways to unify others.

Argentina: Students can travel to the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires and study a diverse array of subjects. Those with high Spanish proficiency and an interest in Latin American studies can even take integrated courses at the University of Belgrano. Buenos Aires鈥� sizable theater and art scenes, gorgeous architecture, and unique cultural identity make the city a fantastic choice for a visit.

The Netherlands: 麻豆影院 has four Dutch destinations to offer, three of which are in the famous and historic Amsterdam. Learn about internationalism at Amsterdam鈥檚 Universiteit van Amsterdam, hone your creative skills at the Amsterdam School of Music, practice psychology at the Vr某e Universiteit Amsterdam, and explore technology development at the University of Twente in the quaint city of Enschede. Fun Fact: You鈥檝e probably heard of New Zealand, but where鈥檚 the old Zealand it was named after? It鈥檚 the Dutch province of Zeeland.

Austria: The alpine nation hosts two programs for Lawrentians. IES Vienna – European Society and Culture is a humanities and social sciences-oriented program where a single required German language course opens up a sprawling selection of courses and fields. The Austrian music opportunities Weber mentioned are part of the IES Vienna – Music program. Here, students take some German language and social sciences, but a music curriculum open to all and a Music Performance Workshop via audition are the main focus. From Mozart in the 1780s to Falco in the 1980s, Vienna鈥檚 musicians are legendary, and you have the opportunity to walk their stomping grounds.

France: Two programs take Lawrentians to France. IES Nantes takes students to the city of Nantes where they immerse themselves in French culture with a local family, internships, and integrated courses at l’Universit茅 de Nantes. IES Paris goes to the storied capital itself, and has both music and non-music options at multiple universities. IES Paris also has home stays and other immersive experiences. Home stays, of course, don鈥檛 mean you can鈥檛 venture outside and visit Paris鈥� famous sites like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre Museum, and Sacr茅-C艙ur Basilica, among countless others.

These aren鈥檛 the only destinations, of course. The Study Abroad & Off-Campus Programs page at lawrence.edu features information on more than 50 off-campus study possibilities.

Others of interest include Buddhist Studies in Bodh Gaya, India, SUNY Madagascar Semester and Budapest Semesters in Mathematics & Mathematics Education.

Buddhist Studies in Bodh Gaya, India, takes students to Bodh Gaya, the site where the Buddha is said to have achieved enlightenment. While in India, students learn about Buddhism and its teachings from as many angles as possible.

The SUNY Madagascar Semester gives students the option to study anthropology, tropical biology, primatology, or ecology at the Centre ValBio research station in Madagascar鈥檚 Ranomafana National Park. Students also learn about Madagascar鈥檚 culture and pursue an independent study.

Budapest Semesters in Mathematics & Mathematics Education is a program taking students to the picturesque Hungarian capital to study mathematics with acclaimed professors.

鈥淗ungary has a long tradition of excellence in mathematics education,鈥� said the program description. The nation has produced accomplished mathematicians such as the internationally renowned Paul Erd艖s, who was born and educated in Budapest.

Weber said Off-Campus Programs鈥� two newest opportunities are Bishkek: Central Asian Studies and Ecology and Anthropology in Tanzania.

Bishkek is the capital of the beautiful mountainous nation of Kyrgyzstan in the region of Central Asia, where Turkic, Persian, and Russian/Soviet history come together. Bishkek: Central Asian Studies teaches students the geopolitical history and cultures of Central Asia (most of which became independent from the Soviet Union in 1991), with the rare opportunity to learn Kyrgyz, Kazakh, and other Central Asian languages along with Russian and Arabic. The program even includes a two-week trip to Kyrgyzstan鈥檚 neighbors, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. If you鈥檙e looking for a fascinating journey off the beaten path, look no further than Central Asia, where ancient Silk-Road mosques and caravan shelters share streets with modernist Soviet tower blocks and monuments.

Also off the beaten path is Ecology and Anthropology in Tanzania, where students travel to the East African nation and live with a host family as they learn about social and natural sciences, often involving field work. The program also includes Swahili language courses and trips to national parks like the famed Mount Kilimanjaro. With the chance to speak to local experts and interact with Tanzanian communities, this program is perfect for ecology students looking to expand their horizons. Fun fact: Tanzania was named Tanganyika until it united with the island country of Zanzibar in 1964, resulting in the name Tanzania.

With these study abroad opportunities (and many more) in mind, we hope you鈥檒l find your own unforgettable experience.

鈥淪tudying abroad is not all fun and games,鈥� Rynkiewicz said. 鈥淵ou will struggle, but that struggle is extremely important. You will end up a better person on the other side.鈥�

Reflecting on Rome, Osunmo, who now has Germany in her sights, said, 鈥淚t always helps to spend time researching the culture and customs of the country that you study in. Also, be sure to research the restaurants, attractions, and activities that locals prefer.鈥�

In other words, when in Rome, do as the Romans do.