Name: Sean Hamilton
Major: Art - Studio Art
Program: Art in London
Traveled Abroad Before: No

Q: What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of your study abroad experience?
A: Schnitzel, no one in the states makes schnitzel like the Dutch and Czech!

Q: Why did you choose this destination?
A: It was specifically an art study abroad, and since I'm an art major that is what determined my choice.

Q: What are some things that surprised you about the campus, the classes, the culture, customs or traditions?
A: Because of the redness in my beard i fit right in, in fact on several occasions I was asked to do surveys as a resident of Surbiton, and I didn't even live there. I thought that was really neat. Before I went over there I had no idea the food was going to be as good as it was! Also when you go to a restaurant you don't tip if your a student.

Q: What are some things you would like students to know about studying abroad in this destination or the program provider you studied with?
A: Don't plan on packing because of how you heard how the weather was! London was supposed to be chilly and rainy, we ended up having record great days!

Q: What advice would you offer?
A: Really research things and places that you may want to visit when you get there. When I got there I had an idea of where I wanted to go, but not so much how to get there and that, I think, is most of the fun finding out what directions and such to take.

Q: What was your academic goal while studying abroad?
A: To really gain an understanding for the art atmosphere around the world, most specifically that of the street art variety. London was riddled with it, and I loved it! I can't wait to go back!

Question? Email Sean !

Name: Alexys Lemans
Major: English Language & Literature
Program: GVSU Partnership with Kingston University
Traveled Abroad Before: Yes

Q: What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of your study abroad experience?
A: Friendship. Though I was only there for a semester, I built friendships that I'll cherish forever.

Q: Why did you choose this destination?
A: I had been lucky enough to travel to London when I graduated high school (and promptly fell in love with it!) and wanted another opportunity to explore the city, country, and surrounding countries.

Q: What are some things that surprised you about the campus, the classes, the culture, customs or traditions?
A: There was hardly any coursework throughout the semester! I was shocked that our grades for the class were primarily based on an essay or two and a final assessment.

Q: What are some things you would like students to know about studying abroad in this destination or the program provider you studied with?
A: Kingston University is a short train ride from central London, the key reason I chose this program. Kingston itself is wonderful, with plenty to do if you don't feel like venturing into central London, but I wouldn't pass up any chance you get to hop on the train and go. The program is okay; I found the international office staff at Kingston to be considerably less helpful than I'd have liked but I muddled through fine on my own.

Q: What advice would you offer?
A: Don't pass up any opportunity to travel! The beauty of studying abroad is learning about new cultures and lifestyles, and what better way than to experience as many as you can? If you do it right, you'll leave with knowledge far beyond what you learned in the classroom.

Q: What was your academic goal while studying abroad?
A: I wanted to learn as much about the culture in the UK as I could. I absorbed every bit of information I could.

Question? Email Alexys!