I applied and committed to Pitt in London not knowing anyone and never having been to London before. I went to France in March, which made me even more excited for study abroad. A friend from home set me up with my roommate, who also goes to Pitt, which started to ease my concerns about not knowing anyone.

I know that doing anything outside of my comfort zone leads to self-growth, and spending six weeks in a new place is definitely outside of my comfort zone, especially when that place is an ocean away. Throughout this experience, I hope to take advantage of every opportunity thrown my way. I not only want to get to know London from a visitor’s perspective but also try my best to experience it like a local.

I hope to dive into London’s culture headfirst. I want to experience everything there is to experience and live as much like a local as possible. I plan to try new foods, explore as many neighborhoods as I can, talk to locals, and contribute to the flow of the city, not just observe it.

I’m someone who definitely gets stuck in routines—especially during the school year. I like to accomplish my to-do list in an organized and familiar way, with little room for spontaneity. In London, I want to embrace spontaneity. If an opportunity presents itself, or I have the urge to do something, I want to act on it!

Beyond personal growth, I’m also excited to learn in a new academic environment. I hope to understand how global perspectives differ from what I’m used to and connect what I learn in the classroom to the world around me. I’m also curious to see how teaching styles compare to those at Pitt, and whether there’s a learning curve to adjust to.

Overall, I hope this experience pushes me to be more independent, more spontaneous, and feeds my sense of adventure, both while I’m abroad and long after I return home.