Study Abroad Changes Lives
Colin Speakman, our Director of China Programs, looks at two experiences old and new
London Was Calling
Little did Colin know when planning the Spring Semester program in London in 1988 that it would be the start of a 21-year-long friendship between 4 participants from California. Let one of those students, Leeanna Dante Kirby, tell her own story.
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Three of the Lady Pterodactyls in London in 1988 |
Have you ever dreamed of attending a foreign university? I had not even considered it a possibility when I was in college at Cal State Long Beach in 1988. But, one day I was walking through the hallway to my English class when I spotted a flyer advertising a London Study Abroad Program, offered through the English department and the American Institute For Foreign Study. My heart raced. I’d been reading Agatha Christie mystery novels for years and had read all of them, then moved on to other British mystery writers. I considered myself an Anglophile. I was a business major finding it increasingly difficult to register for the business classes I needed to graduate. I loved to read and considered myself a decent writer. I decided to change my major to English Literature and see if I could really make this new dream of attending a university in London a reality.
I was working part time and managed to save up enough money for most of the tuition and trip expenses. My parents and grandmother contributed the rest. I even rented my Suzuki Samurai to my brother. Before I knew it, my dream was coming true. I’ll never forget the thrill of landing at London’s Heathrow airport, knowing that I’d be spending three months in England. From the airport, the new students were gathered onto a bus and dropped off in small groups at their various flats. There were still about 15 people on the bus when it stopped at One Egerton Terrace in the upscale Kensington district.
I shared a flat with five other ladies of similar age. Three of them became my best, lifetime friends. We even formed our own sorority of sorts: The Lady Pterodactyls. You see, the older students (us) were graced with one of the nicest flats. I guess the organizers thought that students in their late twenties would be more responsible than the typical college aged students (18-22). Well, we had the time of our lives. You never knew when or where The Lady Pterodactyls (ancient birds, attractive female students) might swoop. We incorporated other students into our group and formed strong bonds, being on such a great adventure in a foreign land, together.
I could not believe that I was studying Shakespeare in London. One of my fondest memories is of seeing the Royal Shakespeare Society perform A Midsummer Night’s Dream. We had thoroughly dissected the play in class. But to see it performed live, by such an accomplished cast, was a thrill. Princess Diana visited our Shakespeare class one day. Our professor, Dr. Axelrad, customized a Shakespearian sonnet, changing it from "Ode to a Summer’s Day", to" Ode to a Summer’s Di." Her eyes twinkled as he read the poem aloud to her in class.
We had many great experiences, sharing life together in London. Six girls managed to share one bathroom and still make it to class on time…well, most days. I can’t believe 21 years have passed since that wonderful and delicious study abroad trip! This year, four of us met in London for a London Semester reunion. While we were unable to rent our old flat, we visited the building and our campus. Our favorite campus pub, Belushi’s, was closed by a recent renovation on the campus, but we saw many of our old haunts and had a fantastic time, reliving old memories and spending time together again, in London.
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Some of the London gang at their recent reunion in London. |
The friends that I made during that fantastic experience are now my best friends. The Pterodactyl family has grown over the years and we have an annual Pterodactyl Christmas party every year. There are even sons and daughters of Pterodactyls now. The party’s location changes from year to year. This year it will be held in Los Angeles, but in years past it’s been in San Diego, Long Beach, San Francisco, Corona, and Sonoma. We’ve had many great travel adventures together since our London semester, to places such as Mexico, New York, Greece, Italy, Ireland, and more.
Whether you’ve considered a study abroad program or not, I highly recommend that you do. You might just have the time of your life. I know I did.
Leeanna’s experience has motivated her to write a book, “London Was Calling,” which is due for publication this year.
China, Land of Opportunity
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Brandon Schaap finds new opportunities in China |
Moving right up to date, one of the participants in the Nanjing Fall 2009 semester program now plans to change his home country to China. Brandon Schaap, now back in the USA, writes, “I am planning my life around China. When I graduate from Davenport in December I will head to China to start my life/career. There is nothing in America for me.” Colin hopes that what Brandon learned about Mandarin language and doing business in China will stand him in good stead, and AIFS will try to follow Brandon’s story as the Year of the Tiger transcends into the 2011 Year of the Rabbit.
Learn more about AIFS programs in London: http://www.aifsabroad.com/england/london/
Learn more about AIFS programs in China: http://www.aifsabroad.com/china/
