University of Wisconsin–Madison

England: Aaron Stettner

Program: Lancaster University Exchange, Fall

Aaron’s Majors: History, Environmental Studies

Aaron smiles and leans against a brick wall.
The wall I’m standing on surrounds the city of York. Parts of the wall were built by the Romans 2,000 years ago.

What is your most memorable experience from your program?

While abroad I played on Lancaster University’s ultimate frisbee team. It was incredibly fun to practice with the team, play matches against other universities, and travel to tournaments on the weekends. But most memorable were the meaningful connections I made with my teammates, many of whom became some of my closest friends. Being able to take part in Lancaster’s student organizations and enjoy student life was one of my favorite experiences from this program.

Forging connections with those who are different from us is one of the best ways to experience and learn about the world we live in.

What did you learn about yourself or the world because of your experience?

During my time abroad I was fortunate to meet people from all across the United Kingdom and the world; my peers came from diverse locations and backgrounds and introduced me to cultures and traditions that I had never encountered. Through conversations and experiences, I truly realized that our differences are something to be embraced and that multiculturality makes communities (and campuses) stronger. Forging connections with those who are different from us is one of the best ways to experience and learn about the world we live in.

A courtyard surrounded by different buildings sees people walking around as the sunset casts an orange and pink glow.
Alexandria Square on Lancaster University campus (this was practically the view from my bedroom window!).

What is the moment you are most proud of?

I am proud that I was able to successfully navigate a new and at times difficult academic environment. A total of six essays made up nearly all of my assignments for the entire semester—as such, each paper was lengthy, challenging, and contributed significantly to my final grade. The unfamiliar nature of the UK’s academic environment gave me difficulties—I was uncertain how my professors would like me to write, what the standards were, and what was expected of me. But I met with my instructors, talked with my peers, and worked hard to put my best work forward on every assignment. By the end of the semester, I realized that I had grown as a person, learned quite a lot, and become a much better reader and writer. Looking back, I am proud of this growth and the work I put in to accomplish it.

What is your advice for someone considering your program?

You may not have heard of Lancaster before, but that’s no reason not to go. It’s a relatively small city (especially for the UK), but it has a rich history, a lot of character, and is a delight to wander through. If you’re okay being in an environment with few other Americans, want to experience British culture, and don’t mind a bit of rain, you should definitely consider this program.