For my Step Signature Project, I completed the London Internship education abroad program through Arcadia University. During this program I took four classes at Arcadia’s center in London and I worked at the Museum of Brands to complete my internship when I was not in class.

As far as my view of the world changing is concerned, my perception of British culture changed while I was in London. Before I went to London for my signature project, I thought that I had a good idea of the culture that I would experience based on my experience with British films, television, and books and I was partially correct. However, London is such a global city and traditional British culture is only one element of the myriad of other cultures that have become part of the fabric of the city. This is due to the large number of people from other places around the world that have made London their home. My experience in London, only enhanced my preexisting love for the city because there are so many opportunities to engage in other cultures there if that’s what you choose and if you don’t want to be a part of that experience, it isn’t forced on you.

Through my study abroad experience, I wouldn’t say that myself as an individual had a complete dramatic transformation. For the most part, during the two months or so that I was in London before my program was cancelled due to COVID-19, I spent time and lived with other American students that were in almost the same situation that I was, which isn’t the most conducive environment for transformation, at least not for me. In the beginning of the program I was still spending time with people who had similar backgrounds to my own and the program I was in didn’t really force us out of that comfort zone and give us too many consistent opportunities to get to know local people. However, towards the end of the program I found myself more open to doing things with people I met through my internship without any other Americans I met through my program. I think that if I had not done the internship component of this program, I would not have been able to meet people outside of my program and get to know them. I think if I had been in London for the full duration of my program, there would have been even more of a transformation.

I think that the most significant aspect of my program that led to a transformation was my internship. One of the most important parts of living in London is learning to use the tube system. Up until the beginning of my internship, which began around two weeks after I had arrived in London, I had been using the tube with friends and other people who I would go to my classes with. But when it came time for my internship commute, which was an hour away from where I lived, I had to figure it out by myself. It was kind of scary going an hour away from where I lived by myself after only living in a foreign country for two weeks, but I was able to get to my internship location safely. Doing this internship forced me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to gain this new confidence and skill of navigating the tube system in London which I can apply to public transportation in other countries.

My internship placement at the Museum of Brands was another component that brought about change. I was a little worried going into my internship because I didn’t know what to expect and the school that coordinated the placement did not really give me much information. At first and throughout most of my time there, my internship was a little disappointing because I effectively was working a receptionist or front desk job. At this point I have worked so many of those jobs and I was hoping that this internship would be a little more challenging and better fit the place I am at with my degree. However, I did get to learn some new skills by working with some of the full time staff. This situation was transformative because I learned how to work in an international workplace environment and communicate with visitors from all over the world which will definitely be an asset when I pursue any future career.

While the work itself was somewhat lacking, the people I was working with were great. I kind of thought that people would not be as open to me because I think people in Europe have preconceived ideas of Americans that tend to be more negative than positive. But the great thing about my internship placement was that I worked with people from all over the world, like France, Italy, Spain, etc., so I didn’t feel like I was sticking out like a sore thumb. Working with such an eclectic group of people who were so welcoming and became my friends really gave me a new sense of excitement about future work in international workplaces and meeting new people.

This program and transformation have given me valuable experience for my degree in International Business and important experience for future work in international environments which will be valuable for my future career path. I plan to do some traveling in whatever career path I take, and I believe that my experience with my classes and internship have given me a new appreciation for the way other countries operate compared to the one I have lived in my whole life. I feel that my extended stay in London has allowed me to understand so much more about myself and that I am able to adapt to living in other countries confidently which is an important skill I have learned through this program. I think that living on my own in a foreign country for two months has allowed me to gain a new sense of independence and confidence for any other future travels abroad.