Upon returning to Tennessee and readapting to life in America, I have had time to reflect on the remarkable experience I had as a study abroad student at the University of Brighton. Not a day goes by that I do not think about it: traveling, meeting new people, the differences in the way of life, riding public transportation, and so much more.
Before setting off on this journey, I had no idea the impact that studying abroad in Brighton, England would have on me. I did not know how much it would change me and my perspectives. To say I have grown over the past few months would be an understatement. Living on the coast of England in a very free-minded city was like no place I had ever been before. The people I met in Brighton taught me that it is okay to be myself, to embrace my passions, and to do what makes me happy. We are all unique individuals, and we should not fear our unique traits by constantly conforming to what society deems normal. Living in Brighton has made me feel freer than ever before. This new feeling of freedom directly correlates with an enhanced level of confidence. I now dress in a way that captures my personal style, listen to music that makes me feel good, and have found new hobbies, such as writing. I am not afraid to talk about what interests me and give my opinion due to fear of judgment or people disagreeing with me. I fully believe that I would have never been able to feel this kind of freedom or find this confidence within myself if it weren’t for the people I met in Brighton.
Studying abroad gifted me with the chance to travel to so many different places. While in Europe, I traveled to London, Italy, Scotland, and France. We had biweekly field trips through the USAC program, where we visited over a dozen castles and saw beautiful and historic towns in England. I met and talked to residents of each city and learned so much about their cultures and ways of life. I learned about England’s bloody yet beautiful history and was fascinated by the uniqueness of British culture. I tasted foods I had never heard of and indulged in locally crafted beers and wines. Traveling opened my mind to how others live and taught me so much about humanity that I could have never learned living in Tennessee.
In addition to learning from traveling, I did also learn in a classroom, hence the study part of study abroad. University in England was much different than that of America. As a marketing major, I took two courses that pertained to marketing and a British culture course. My professors were extremely knowledgeable, and I learned much about the marketing sector both in England and globally. Our only assignments consisted of final reports that challenged me to go beyond lecture material and utilize outside sources, such as published work from academics who studied business. University in England enhanced my passion for learning and instilled a new motivation for learning beyond what is being taught in school.
As I reflect on my experiences during my time abroad, I am thankful for all that the British culture has taught me. The patience I have learned by watching people live at a slower pace, my newfound love for sipping on a cup of tea, evening pints at the pub, and Sunday roasts are just a few of the things I treasure most. I have grown so much more than I could have ever expected from being immersed in a culture that allows people to be who they are and express their individual traits so freely.
Addison Whittemore (BS Marketing) spent the Fall 2023 semester studying abroad in Brighton, England through USAC. Addison had the following to say about studying abroad, “My biggest piece of advice is if you have the opportunity to study abroad, do it. Living in a new country
and traveling around Europe taught me so much more than I could have ever learned in a classroom or living in America.“
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