England: Hailey Howitt
Program: UW Theatre in London, Summer
Hailey’s Major: Kinesiology
How were your program academics similar or different from taking classes at UW-Madison?
My academics were very different, however I think part of this is due to the fact that I am a science major and I took a humanities credit with theater abroad. Initially we read so many of the plays we were going to see in London and also learned the history behind so many of the theaters we toured as well as some British history. Being in London, seeing the plays, and touring the theaters brought all of this information to life. It made the experience so much more valuable and memorable. I absolutely loved being immersed in the culture and it just made the whole experience so much more real. Being out of the classroom was a refreshing change and I could not have asked for a better experience or way to bring the academic information to life.
What is a custom, food or tradition from your host country that you are taking forward?
A custom in London is tea time. I had the privilege of getting to experience a true tea time with everyone in my program, while also learning proper etiquette for this event. This event was particularly special to me because my sister and I grew up always hosting pretend tea parties. Getting to be in the culture where this is a common occurrence was so exciting and I loved learning about how the placement of the pastries worked, the different types of tea, and how to drink my tea properly.
I want to continue tea time and even get to share it with some of my family members. I think it is a stupendous way to have great conversations while also getting to engage in British traditions.
What is your advice for someone considering your program?
A piece of advice I would have is to not be afraid to get out of your comfort zone. When I applied for my program I had no idea I was going to be the only student who was not majoring in theater or getting a certificate in it. When I found out this information, I was a little hesitant and nervous that I would not make friends or fit into the trip. However, I loved that this happened because I got to meet people I may not have ever encountered before. Everyone ended up being so welcoming, sweet, and kind. I now am so lucky because I have some new friends that I may not have met before and am so excited to attend some theater productions at UW Madison, since I will be seeing some very familiar faces in the productions. So overall, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, push yourself, and do things that may be a little scary at first because you might just miss out on an extraordinary opportunity.