England: Delaney Lehman (My First Year of College Abroad)

My First Year of College Abroad: Lessons from a Year Spent Abroad

When I look back on my academic interests/hopes pre-London, I remember my excitement about starting a new pace of life. I was looking forward to a new environment, physically with the city and academically with college-level classes. Coming from high school to going straight into a year abroad in London, I found that many uncertainties and unknowns had yet to be explored. I was academically interested in developing my perspective through a more global lens.

Throughout my first year of college abroad, I have learned how to steer and explore a metropolitan city such as London while gaining the necessary skills to succeed in my first year. One of the most important lessons I have learned is self-discipline and independence. In some instances where I had a paper or readings due the following morning, I learned to know when to say no to doing something more tempting out in the city. Additionally, living in a foreign city has unexpected hurdles to which many of my cohort and I have grown accustomed. One of these is public transport. The London transportation system is a blessing but sometimes feels like a maze. But everything becomes more straightforward once you get the hang of it and have the trusty GPS maps on our mobiles.

As a college student abroad, I have learned balance in every part of my routine. In many courses, the classroom exceeds just a room with desks. In my Politics class, we visited the British Parliament and could even sit on the House of Lords and Commons discourse. In my British Life and Cultures, we visited many museums and sites in London, including Kenwood House. An estate in the city that feels detached, the house showed elements of past imperial endeavors and a past time of living. These experiences have broadened my perspective as a student on how anything can be a learning experience, and everything alludes to a past.

When I return to campus, I plan to continue to broaden my horizons. However, I know that UW-Madison doesn’t nearly have the host of museums and multiculturalism as London. I hope to keep my eyes and ears wide open both in and out of the classroom. I also plan to carry the adaptability and accountability I’ve developed into my academic and personal routines. Our campus has many resources outside of course interactions, so I plan to join student organizations and language courses that foster more global perspectives. My experience in London has shown me the importance of stepping out of my comfort zone. I want to continue implementing that step back at Madison, whether that be by taking courses that challenge my viewpoints, engaging in more diverse communities, or exploring new places in Madison. My first year abroad has given me a deeper appreciation for learning beyond the classroom. I hope to bring that same passion and perspective to UW-Madison next fall.

Delaney Lehman

Major: International Studies with a Language

Hometown: Neenah, Wisconsin