"During my time abroad, I experienced an expansion in my independence, self-assurance, and personal development."

Hi! I’m Claire, and I’m a Senior (CC’24) studying Political Science. In the Fall of 2022, I had the opportunity to study at Queen Mary University of London as part of the Columbia in London program.

Claire taking a selfie with a group of friends near the chilly waters of the United Kingdom

Claire taking a selfie with a group of friends near the chilly waters of the United Kingdom

Before I left for my study abroad in London, my friends threw a USA-themed going away party for me. Because our early years at university had been marred by the pandemic, I ended up being the only one in my friend group to study abroad, which made my leaving an even more notable event. Along with the wishes for safe travel (and incredibly bad British accent impressions), my friends gave me a list of their predictions for my time abroad. Among these were that I’d “become a passionate fan and advocate of an English breakfast, beans and all” and that I’d start referring to “the television as the telly and the bathroom as the loo.”

It was amusing that my friends had spent so much time thinking about who I’d be when I went to London. I applied to Columbia in London almost on a whim because I had been a student of the coordinating English professor, Edward Mendelson, and wanted a program that wasn’t purely focused on language. It ended up being the best decision of my university career.

During my time abroad, I experienced an expansion in my independence, self-assurance, and personal development. Outside of the Columbia environment—and my academic comfort zone—I was able to redefine my identity as a student. I took

The Columbia in London cohort getting dinner with Professor Mendelson

The Columbia in London cohort getting dinner with Professor Mendelson

courses on “Witches, Demons, and Magic in Late Medieval and Early Modern Europe” and “Utopia and Dystopia: Political, Economic, and Literary Dreamworld” and Arabic comparative literature. While not really in line with any of my prior coursework, I was able to enjoy learning for the sake of learning. In my Columbia-run course on British Literature about London I was able to explore my new city through the lens of literature and see the tangible realities of what I was reading for class. Nothing beats walking down Bank St. in the footsteps of Mrs. Dalloway.

Outside of school, I was eager to explore the city’s museums, theaters, parks, and pubs. Those experiences were made even better because I was able to share them with new friends. So while I didn’t pick up any British traits like my friends predicted (maybe besides gaining a strong affinity for the song “Don’t Look Back in Anger” by Oasis), I still left my time abroad with new memories and confidence.