Hi! I’m Jess, a 24-year-old Neuroscience BSc student at Queen Mary currently studying at the University of California, Santa Barbara. This experience has been incredible and given me some of the best moments of my life, but it’s also had its tough moments that have helped me to grow beyond what I would have thought … Continue reading I really hate to admit this – my mum was right when she said I’d fall in love here. Albeit it wasn’t in the romantic way she meant…
Category: Culture Schock
My IISMA experience & preparing to depart for Queen Mary in retrospect
I arrived in London on September 18th, yet IISMA’s final announcement of successful scholarship awardees was on May 12th. Four months is not a short amount of time, so how have I been perceiving this long wait from receiving the good news to landing in London? To better understand how we got here, please allow … Continue reading My IISMA experience & preparing to depart for Queen Mary in retrospect
Living in Switzerland and adapting to unfamiliar surroundings by Queen Mary English student and Turing Grant recipient, Clément Edwards
When I travelled to Zurich last September the idea of going on year abroad seemed pretty daunting. The first week was dominated by administration work and the adaption process into a different culture and city was initially a bit rocky. Nothing too bad: just little things you always have to bear in mind, like cars … Continue reading Living in Switzerland and adapting to unfamiliar surroundings by Queen Mary English student and Turing Grant recipient, Clément Edwards
“Life continues, just with a vaccine, test, and mask.” History student Eleanor shows us a glimpse of life studying abroad at George Washington University in Washington D.C.
I have to admit, I did not truly believe I would ever make it to America. It was only once thewheels hit the tarmac at Dulles International Airport and as we entered through the customshall, covered in the star-spangled banner, that it truly sank in. I was finally here. In the deep dark midst of … Continue reading “Life continues, just with a vaccine, test, and mask.” History student Eleanor shows us a glimpse of life studying abroad at George Washington University in Washington D.C.
A Year in Istanbul at Koç University. Reflections from Harvey Jones, History & Politics student at Queen Mary.
Like most people before their year abroad I was nervous. For me, the main worries concerned whether I’d make any friends and whether I’d be able to have fun in a place that was so different to home. My primary concern was whether I could find friends among people I thought would be so different … Continue reading A Year in Istanbul at Koç University. Reflections from Harvey Jones, History & Politics student at Queen Mary.
Shanghai; away from the classroom – Holly Pickerell
Whilst my time in Shanghai inevitably revolves around my schooling, a year abroad wouldn’t be complete without some extra-curricular activities. The great privilege of a year abroad is complete immersion in a different city, country and way of life. Whilst I can be taught in the classroom about the ins and outs of the Chinese … Continue reading Shanghai; away from the classroom – Holly Pickerell
5 Differences Between US and UK Academic Systems – Isabel Lohr
As an education major, I have spent a lot of my time in different schools learning different teaching styles. Coming to the UK has shown me a new and more focused style of teaching and learning. These are the 5 main differences I found and how to get used to them. Liberal arts do not … Continue reading 5 Differences Between US and UK Academic Systems – Isabel Lohr
Easy Ways to Connect to the Caribbean in London
London has a large population of immigrants from the continent of Africa as well as the Caribbean. As such, it can be easy to make yourself feel at home as an Afro-Caribbean person in London. Nigeria, Somalia and Jamaica are just a few countries a part of the African diaspora that have a noticeable presence … Continue reading Easy Ways to Connect to the Caribbean in London
Part 1 – an interview with Rachel Godfrey Talking Diversity, Culture and Life at Queen Mary
Rachel Godfrey was awarded the QMUL International Correspondent Scholarship in collaboration with IFSA Study Abroad. Whilst at Queen Mary, Rachel blogged all about diversity and inclusion in study abroad. We sat down with her before she headed back to Wesleyan University, CT, to talk about her experience. Rachel tells us what it's like to be … Continue reading Part 1 – an interview with Rachel Godfrey Talking Diversity, Culture and Life at Queen Mary
Defining Home – Miriam Jaffe
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, home is a noun, and defined as “the place where one lives permanently, especially as a member of a family or household.“ It implies permanent residence, and yet, it’s not always used in relation to total, permanent residence. Within a couple of months of being in London, I was … Continue reading Defining Home – Miriam Jaffe
How to Articulate “Abroad” – Carly Noah
Over the course of the past month, I have made the transition from my semester in London back to life in the United States. Although I was originally quite sad to be leaving London and all of the friends I made over the course of the past semester, I was excited to see my friends … Continue reading How to Articulate “Abroad” – Carly Noah