One Experience with a Lifetime Impact

My experience in London through the IES Abroad Study London program harbored personal independence and growth that I can apply to all aspects of my life. IES Abroad provides a gentle guide for students while allowing them to be independent discoverers of the world around them and receptive learners of the cultures in which they immerse themselves. Within weeks of the program, I had become well-acquainted with and an avid navigator of London. During my time in London, I discovered strength in adaptation and a heightened confidence in my abilities. I became fully self-reliant and learned how to budget and cook for myself. The coursework in which I partook was valuable and engaging, and the internship component of the program rose above and beyond my expectations. Through my experience with my internship, I was able to work with a variety of talented and accomplished individuals form the UK and Europe. The environment of the workplace was highly interactive and communicative, which provided me the opportunity to sharpen my professional communication skills. I learned about the inner-workings of a large-scale organization and made contacts with whom I plan to maintain life-long connection. Additionally, I cultivated valuable friendships with other students in my program who share similar life ambitions and who will remain an important part of my personal growth journey. The impact that my study abroad experience had on me was a product of my actions, the location, and the IES Abroad program. The IES Abroad program provides support and opportunities that facilitate an enriching growth of perception and understanding of the world that positively impacts the way in which one chooses to lead all areas of his/her life.