Fordham in London: Liberal Arts : Testimonials (London)
The following program testimonial responses have been selected for publication by International & Study Abroad Programs
ISAP Program Evaluation Testimonial
What impact has your study abroad experience had on your life and studies?
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An incredible amount. Not only has it changed my outlook on learning, but on my career and my life. I was very hestitant before going into it but now could not imagine my life if I didn't!
— Daniel Murphy, Fall 2014 |
What impact has your study abroad experience had on your life and studies?
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I feel much more comfortable and confident in myself and I am so grateful for the memories and friends I made during my semester abroad.
— Amanda Maile, Fall 2015 |
What impact has your study abroad experience had on your life and studies?
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Definitely the best four months of my life. I would do anything to relive the experience. The impact on my studies is I have a wider world view and perspective.
— Catherine Morse, Fall 2015 |
What impact has your study abroad experience had on your life and studies?
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It has given me a broader outlook on the world, but I also see America in a completely different light.
— Emily Koenig, Fall 2016 |
What impact has your study abroad experience had on your life and studies?
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Studying abroad gave me a new sense of independence and truly living on my own. I think through this experience I matured and learned a lot about myself and what I want for my future.
— Antonia Paruolo, Fall 2016 |
What impact has your study abroad experience had on your life and studies?
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I believe that study abroad was the best decision I’ve made while being at Fordham. Overall, it has taught me independence and strongly instilled an appreciation for culture, especially for that which is acutely dissimilar to my own. In my studies, it has increasingly helped me see my classes in relation to the real world. It is quite an experience to learn about, say, a painting or a book and then go to the exact place where that’s art piece was crafted or is in display. And from that, I am more easily engagable and interested in my course work. — Kirsten Anastasio, Fall 2017 |
What impact has your study abroad experience had on your life and studies?
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I found study abroad to be a truly life changing experience. I would recommend everyone to have a chance to have this experience or something close to it.
— Anthony Cotaj, Spring 2017 |
What impact has your study abroad experience had on your life and studies?
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My study abroad experience has been shaped me in ways that I cannot express. I feel more connected to the rest of the world, and as though I am a true active citizen of the world. I have gained so much experience of cultures different that my own, giving me perspective and fresh eyes to evaluate the positives and negatives of my culture. In terms of studies, I am now inspired to explore literature and arts from countries other than my own, and to stay in touch with the cultures that I have experienced in some way.
— Stephen Kipp, Spring 2017 |
What impact has your study abroad experience had on your life and studies?
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I believe studying abroad had a positive impact on both my life and studies. Living in London and taking classes like a normal student allowed me to gain understanding and respect for the city of London. Living in London also allowed me to travel to other cities in Europe on the weekends. I believe my time in London and visiting other cities and interacting with new and different people than I am used to gave me a better understanding of the world. There are so many different people in the world and having the chance to experience them and their culture opened my eyes on life and learning.
— Olivia Schember, Spring 2017 |
What impact has your study abroad experience had on your life and studies?
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Everything. I have always imagined that I wanted to travel for grad school, and this solidified that. I want to explore as much of the world as possible. I’m even considering living full-time in Scotland after seeing how amazing it is. I’ve been impacted in the best way possible by studying abroad. — Matthew Schumacher, Spring 2019 |
How will you keep your study abroad experience alive back in the US and Fordham?
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Keep in touch with the people I met, definitely. And also continue to travel and explore my own country-- nothing like going across an ocean to realize traveling is fun and necessary!
— Daniel Murphy, Fall 2014 |
How will you keep your study abroad experience alive back in the US and Fordham?
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I will continue to hang out with the friends I made and tell others about how much I enjoyed studying abroad and encourage others to spend a semester abroad.
— Amanda Maile, Fall 2015 |
How will you keep your study abroad experience alive back in the US and Fordham?
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I will talk about it non-stop, as it was the best four months of my life.
— Catherine Morse, Fall 2015 |
How will you keep your study abroad experience alive back in the US and Fordham?
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I will keep it alive by remembering all I have experienced and studied.
— Emily Koenig, Fall 2016 |
How will you keep your study abroad experience alive back in the US and Fordham?
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Ever since I landed, I have spoken about studying abroad with my family and friends. I will inform prospective students about the pros and cons, as well as things to consider.
— Antonia Paruolo, Fall 2016 |
How will you keep your study abroad experience alive back in the US and Fordham?
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I plan to experience New York with the same fervor I did London or Paris or any other of the places I visited while abroad. When you’re so accostumed to a place, it is easy to fall into the trap of banality, to find the eccentrities and novelties of a particular place unoriginal. I believe that going to school in NYC has done this to me and that’s something I want to change.
— Kirsten Anastasio, Fall 2017 |
How will you keep your study abroad experience alive back in the US and Fordham?
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I hope to able to tell others and recommend study abroad to fellow students. As a citizen I hope the cultural lessons I learned can translate back to being a better person with a greater global understanding of how foreign issues impact us.
— Anthony Cotaj, Spring 2017 |
How will you keep your study abroad experience alive back in the US and Fordham?
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I plan to use the perspective I have gained abroad to influence my view of my home culture, and to influence my participation in my home culture. I also plan, and already have begun, to use my experiences as inspiration for producing art, as I am a writer and comedian. I have gained a lot of potential material from my experiences, and hope that I can formulate those experiences into concrete works of art to show the world.
— Stephen Kipp, Spring 2017 |
How will you keep your study abroad experience alive back in the US and Fordham?
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When I return to Fordham in the fall I will remember everything I learned studying abroad. Besides keeping in touch with the people I met abroad, I will have more respect for different cultures and people I come in contact with. Living in London and traveling Europe allowed me to have a more open mind and taught me that things sometimes do not work out in your favor but the important thing to remember is not everything may go smoothly but everything will work out in the end. This is a lesson I will take back to Fordham with me for my senior year and throughout the rest of my life.
— Olivia Schember, Spring 2017 |
How will you keep your study abroad experience alive back in the US and Fordham?
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I’m friends with a ton of the people I was abroad with, and by seeing and hanging with them I can reminisce about our amazing experiences and stories. — Matthew Schumacher, Spring 2019 |
What suggestions or advice would you give to a prospective study abroad student?
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Do it, do it, do it!
— Daniel Murphy, Fall 2014 |
What suggestions or advice would you give to a prospective study abroad student?
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I know that I was really nervous and anxious to go abroad, and I would tell others that this is entirely normal and those nerves will go away once you step foot into your new home country. I also think that during your time abroad, you just need to always try new things and take advantage of the amazing place you are in.
— Amanda Maile, Fall 2015 |
What suggestions or advice would you give to a prospective study abroad student?
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DEFINITELY GO TO LONDON. Amazing city with countless opportunities. Never a dull moment.
— Catherine Morse, Fall 2015 |
What suggestions or advice would you give to a prospective study abroad student?
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Definitely speak to students who have already studied. Spend time in your host country.
— Emily Koenig, Fall 2016 |
What suggestions or advice would you give to a prospective study abroad student?
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To anyone considering going abroad, please be open to new experiences and make the most of your time. Start with London, get to know the city as best you can, and then branch out into other countries. If you do a quick sweep, you’ll miss a lot of what the city has to offer. I found that even walking to class or dinner or whatever I invariably discovered a new neighborhood, market, etc..
— Kirsten Anastasio, Fall 2017 |
What suggestions or advice would you give to a prospective study abroad student?
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Don't expect anything from it and you'll come to appreciate all the small things. Not going around like you wanted to may not sound fun but experiencing culture is more important than just seeing it. Anyone can go and take a photo of Big Ben or the Eiffel tower but to meet local people and talk about your life experience is a million times better for you and the world at large.
— Anthony Cotaj, Spring 2017 |
What suggestions or advice would you give to a prospective study abroad student?
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Even while in a new city, after spending months abroad it can almost become routine, just like home. Push yourself to explore as much as possible, even when you think there's nothing left or that you're too tired. But, with all of that time spent exploring, also compliment it by letting it soak in. With each new city or experience, take some time either in silent thought or writing to contemplate it, and compare it to home and other cities you've seen. You'll leave each city feeling like you have known it personally.
— Stephen Kipp, Spring 2017 |
What suggestions or advice would you give to a prospective study abroad student?
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I would tell future study abroad students to go into everything with an open mind and try and make the best of every situation.
— Olivia Schember, Spring 2017 |
What suggestions or advice would you give to a prospective study abroad student?
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In short, just do it. I was hesitant at first because I truly do love Fordham, but going abroad is the most cathartic way to get a break from it because it’s not a vacation, but rather an experience. There’s nothing like it and many people like me will never have opportunities like that again.
— Matthew Schumacher, Spring 2019 |