This international experience has provided me with a lot of growth in many different areas of my life. Personally, during the program, I felt as though a lot of growth happened with forming relationships and setting boundaries and expectations within certain relationships. Academically, I have grown to realize that learning looks different all over the world and even within the United States at different institutions across the country. Through this program I have met a lot of different people who attend all different kinds of schools and it is interesting to compare and contrast our experiences at our prospective universities. I have also grown professionally through my internship work. I have learned a lot about housing policies in Britain and the ways in which social housing through a housing association works. The professional experience also provided me with a realistic view of what working in a corporation looks like and what is valued within a corporate setting. This experience has actually emphasized my commitment to working in the United States. Through this experience I have gained useful insight into international relationships and intercultural competence, but it has made me realize that the United States is where I want to live and work. What I want to do as a career and with my life is centered around social justice and working with non-profits and the government to make social change, specifically with affordable housing. There are so many benefits to this experience abroad and I want to keep working collaboratively in the international context, but I want my home base to be in the United States. 

My main takeaways from this program is that trying new experiences and pushing my own comfort zone is important and has had a positive impact on me and my growth. In relation to Pitt Honors, there are so many opportunities within the Honors college that sometimes it can be overwhelming to go for it, but this experience has taught me that the worst that can happen is it not working out or someone saying no. I will be forever grateful for my opportunity to go abroad and the experience I have had since being in London.