Get to know the Global Opportunities Team and what has inspired us to travel the world and help students to do the same! We also find out why the GO Team love Queen Mary and their top picks to visit in East London.

This week we sat down with International Exchange Manager, Harry Gibney, to find out what he loves about his job, his favourite place in the USA and where he would go on exchange…

What’s your role at Queen Mary?

I manage QM’s international exchange programmes (IEP) outside Europe.

Where would you go on IEP and why?

As the International Exchange Programme Manager I would say that all of our partner institutions provide a life-changing experience. On a personal level, my second favourite city (behind London) is Philadelphia. I have spent a lot of time in Philadelphia and always feel at home whenever I stay there so I will choose one of our two current exchange Philly partners – UPenn or Drexel.   

What would you say you can find in East London that you can’t find anywhere else?

The world in a square mile.

What’s your favourite British ‘delicacy’?

Sunday roast with all the trimmings when it’s cold outside. For any other time, chocolate Weetabix with plenty of milk and a banana.

Where/what’s a good place to start when trying to adjust to another culture? 

You can find online walking routes for practically every destination. I like to walk around any new destination for an hour or two after arriving (ensuring the route is safe). Stop at an independent coffee stop somewhere on your route with a copy of a local newspaper and watch the world go by.

 

You travel a lot in the States: what State would you recommend someone to visit and what should they see?

Try to experience something new when the chance presents itself. As someone who grew up in London, spending time in California is always amazing from the climate to the coast to the people.

Favourite place you’ve ever travelled to?

Paris 2006 (Champions League Final – Arsenal v Barcelona). Although Arsenal lost, I had an amazing time and have so many found memories.

If you could live somewhere else in the world where would it be?

Anywhere along the East Coast of the US.

CHECK IN WITH US EVERY THURSDAY FOR THE NEXT INTERVIEW FROM THE GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES TEAM! WANT TO CONTACT A MEMBER OF THE TEAM? FIND US ONLINE HERE.   WANT TO GO ABROAD WITH QMUL OR COME TO US FOR YOUR STUDY ABROAD EXPERIENCE? FIND OUT MORE ONLINE.