Ever dreamed of spending a semester in a completely different culture? We asked Freddie Kelly '20 of Melrose about his experience studying abroad in London this year. Get his inside take below.
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What inspired you to do a semester abroad?
I was inspired to study abroad because I had a longing to see the world outside Salem during this unique time of my life. Being in college and having the opportunity to see a whole new area of the world is something that I know I will never have the opportunity to ever do again.
What made you decide on London?
I ended up choosing London for a few reasons. It is one of the world’s global cities so that was really attractive to me knowing there would always be a lot going on around me with lots to experience. It stands right near Western Europe, which has allowed me to travel on weekends to places like Amsterdam, Munich, Barcelona, Paris and more. And finally, I am not bilingual so I wanted to study in a country where there was not a language barrier.
What courses are you taking this semester? Which class has had the biggest impact and why?
I am taking Dilemmas of international development, London business as a global city, marketing research, and art and society. I would say art and society has had the most impact on me, since we go to different museums every single week, like the National Gallery and the British Museum. These museums have different art ranging from centuries old portraits to contemporary pieces and all have different views of the world which is always interesting to interpret.
Tell us about your living situation. How is it different from living at Salem State? What has it been like navigating a huge city?
My living situation is quite different then at SSU. I am living within the business school here at the university in a dorm consisting of other students studying abroad from different parts of the world. I have my own single room with a desk, closets and a private bathroom. I share a kitchen with the six people living on my side of the floor.
I have been lucky enough to have a lot of my classes in the same building I stay in or at another building only a 15-minute walk away. The train system here has 11 lines so it can get really confusing but my program coordinators made sure we all had the best transport apps downloaded. After showing us the basics it became second nature.
What is the biggest lesson you've learned from this experience?
The biggest lesson I have learned from my experiences studying abroad so far is that there are so many experiences out in the world that you never thought you could have. It is easy to get caught up in day to day tasks and not do a lot of new things every week. While in London, I have pushed myself to meet new people and go to new places each and every day and I have had an amazing time learning about London and myself.
What advice would you have for an underclassman considering studying abroad?
I would recommend to not only an underclassman also an upperclassman considering it that it is never too late to decide to go. I am a senior graduating this spring and I did not finally decide to go until last winter. No matter what obstacles you have in your way, whether it be personal finances or feeling nervous to live away from home in such an unfamiliar area, the experience is definitely worth it and life changing in so many ways.
The study abroad department does a fantastic job matching you with a program that suits your desires and needs on every level. If you are even considering it, don’t make an excuse of not going without looking into it!