FIE London: Semester & Summer Internships and Study Programs

Recall a time when your education and experience didn't prepare you for a situation abroad.

Allie: For me, the biggest change was figuring out the Tube. This is obviously something that education and experience couldn’t prepare me for since this is not how I commute to and from places in Baltimore. Taking the tube was a matter of forcing yourself to get on and figure it out day by day.

There were several instances where I would get on the tube, ride for a couple of minutes, then realize that I was indeed on the wrong train. For me, figuring out the tube was a matter of trial and error, as I believe it was for many of my peers. However, once I figured it out, I took the tube everywhere, and was comfortable taking it by myself.

Did you forget to pack something important? Did you feel as if you were missing something?

Allie: One of the biggest regrets I have from my trip was OVERPACKING! I was so nervous before I left that I felt obligated to pack my whole wardrobe. Of course, I did not take into consideration the clothes, shoes and souvenirs I would be buying abroad. My nervousness disabled me to realize that I COULD buy shampoo and ibuprofen while I was over there, I did not necessarily need to pack it.

Additionally, I packed things that I thought I would definitely need, that I did not end up using at all. For example, I packed rain boots that took up tons of room in my suitcase. While some people used their rain boots everyday (since London is rainy), I found that regular boots worked just fine. Take into consideration what you know you will need, and try to eliminate several items that you are questioning before you set off on your journey.

What is one piece of advice you'd give future students traveling with your program?

Allie: My biggest piece of advice that I could offer to student traveling to London is to bring a GOOD UMBRELLA. Spend the money to buy a good, compact one that you can chuck into a bag or backpack and have at the ready. You never know when it is going to rain (or clear up), so having a compact umbrella was crucial.

When I traveled to Barcelona, it was sunny in London when I left so I didn’t think to bring my umbrella. However, when I returned to England it was absolutely POURING and I had to run home from my tube stop while getting soaking wet, because I completely forgot about my umbrella. It seems like a really stupid thing to invest in, but having a good, strong umbrella can absolutely make or break your day.

Did you run into a language barrier? Did you ever think you knew more/less of the language?

Allie: Having studied in the UK before and making new British friends throughout my stay, I would say that there definitely are many differences between British English and American English. I remember my friends asking “You alright?” upon greeting me. At first, I wondered if they noticed my homesickness or nervousness about being in a new city. Later I learned that this means “what’s up?” or “how are you doing?”

Also, their vocabulary is far more proper than what I am used to in the United States. This allowed me to bump up my vocab skills and proper speech. Even still I use terms that might be more “British” and my friends like to make fun of me, but I just prefer to speak that way now.

What made this experience unique and special?

Allie: Not to be too cliché, but this experience truly changed my life. Before my time in London, I felt as though I was not as confident as I am now; both in my skin, and confident in my abilities navigating a new place or situation. While I had studied abroad in England before, I never got the chance to be as independent as I was when I studied there last year.

My time in London made me realize that I want to move back at some point after graduating college. It is a great place for communications or business-minded people to work and live, given all the opportunities there. I hope to go back later this year because I think about, and miss my London experience every day.

Did YOU study abroad?! If so, where and what inspired you to go?

Hannah: I was initially inspired to spend an academic year abroad in France by my high school French teacher who instilled in me and my classmates a real passion for French and a thirst for adventure. Once at university, I was again given the chance to complete a British Council Language Assistantship abroad as part of my degree.

My studies so far had ignited my curiosity about the Francophone world and I was lucky enough to be selected to go to the small island of Guadeloupe in the French Caribbean.

Both of these experiences built my confidence and were wonderfully eye-opening. They undoubtedly started me on the path to where I am today!

Why is language learning and cultural immersion important to you?

Hannah: Learning one or more foreign languages opens up a world of opportunities, not only in terms of countries to visit, but also people to meet and interact with, and cultures to delve into and experience.

We can learn so much about ourselves and grow as people when we come into contact with cultures, places and views that are different to our own and I think this is invaluable.

Even American students coming to study in the UK learn so much about the differences in language and culture, often more than they expect to!

Spending a significant amount of time in another country and culture on a study/internship programme is an excellent way to immerse yourself and really start to get to grips with it.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Hannah: Working at FIE has been an incredible experience so far. The organisation is wonderfully welcoming at all levels and this is felt by students, staff, faculty and visitors alike.

FIE values professional development very highly and I have been given excellent opportunities to learn more about the world of study abroad and international education through training and conferences.

FIE is continually looking forward and up and it has been wonderful to be a part of new initiatives and developments with a view to continually improving what we do semester on semester. I also learn a lot from students as welcoming those from other cultural backgrounds can always teach you something about your own culture and theirs, and there is always something new to learn!

What unique qualities does your company possess?

Hannah: FIE is a not for profit organisation and not only has a strong and commendable mission and set of values, but follows through on them and ensures their implementation across academics and all other areas of the organisation.

I have been incredibly grateful to work on projects relating to environmental sustainability, diversity & inclusivity, and fundraising and it is heartening to see these values so ingrained in the organisation, and taken on by students and faculty alike.

In addition, FIE’s academic and student support structures are excellent and there is a real sense of community which can often be lost in larger organisations.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

Hannah: It is so interesting to hear about the shocks students experience both in terms of language and culture. It is always entertaining to hear students talk about words and phrases that they all-too-late discovered were rude or had an alternative meaning in the UK, and any social faux pas they accidentally committed!

It is always gratifying to hear how wonderfully culturally diverse students find London to be, however cosmopolitan a city they have come from, and these comments remind us all of why we love to live and work in this great city! It is also wonderful to hear about students taking some of FIE’s values home with them and how they hope to act on them in the future.