STEP Post-Project Reflection
For my STEP Project, I traveled to London, England for Education Abroad. I was surrounded by places of extraordinary historical and cultural impact, such as the Natural History Museum, Royal Albert Hall, and Kensington Palace. I took three courses throughout my time there: Drama in London, Global Cuisines and Cultures in Great Britain, and Museums and Galleries in London.
Through these classes, I learned a great deal about London’s culture, visited numerous art galleries, saw notable works by artistic greats such as Monet and Van Gogh, and saw some great West End shows and a bit of the very rich theatre history in the city. My classes gave me the ability to visit more than half of the 32 boroughs of London and immerse myself in the variety of different cultures that are enriched there.
Going into this experience, I am embarrassed to say I did not know much about the large city apart from the classic landmarks and stereotypes: the London Eye, London Bridge, Kensington Palace, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Fish and Chips, Traditional English Breakfast, double-decker buses, and so on. I am happy to report that I came home with a new understanding of not only the cultures of London today but its rich history as a city. Being American, the history we learned of Great Britain surrounded our separation from them and events such as the Boston Tea Party. It feels enriching to know more about the country that hosted me.
To give just a taste, London has over 9 million inhabitants, has 32 boroughs, one of which is an independent “City of London.” Nearly 40% of Londoners were born outside of the UK, with some neighborhoods having stronger ethnic identities, but neatly all are home to a diverse mix of communities. Some of the many identities represented in London include Turkish, Polish, Urdu, Gujarati, Bengali, Arabic, Punjabi, French, Nepalese, Tamil, Lithuanian, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Learning about these cultures and their history has also made me more passionate about pursuing social work and social justice. Many have hopeful stories of migrating to London, while many others have heartbreaking stories of escaping their own homes to find a safe space for themselves and their families. I felt deeply for each and every story I learned and cemented for me that my dream is to help people who may not have a voice.
Along with the academic knowledge I gathered, I also gained a strong, new sense of self-confidence and independence. This was my first time traveling both on my own and to London as a whole. I learned how to navigate the Transport for London (TfL) network such as the tubes, trains, and buses. I learned how to adjust to culture shock and acclimate to my new home. I faced my social anxiety head-on and learned how to ask for help. And finally, I made a group of new friends with whom I will hopefully be in contact for the rest of my life. This experience abroad is something I am so incredibly grateful for, and taught me valuable life skills that I could not have learned anywhere else.
