England: David Izzo

Program: UW in London, Spring

Major: Environmental Studies and Political Science

How were your program academics similar or different from taking classes at UW-Madison?

Program academics while abroad were curated to a study abroad student, which made the transition to London easier. My program had it’s own curriculum as a UW in London program, which gave me some similarities in classes. One notable similarity was the pacing of classes by week and the amount and type of assignments we were graded on. A few key differences were that my program had 3 hour long lecture sessions once or twice a week, as opposed to three sessions of one hour long lectures as in Madison. Another difference is a lack of TAs, which encouraged me to lean more on my peers. While these differences were noticeable, they were easily adaptable and did not hamper my ability to succeed in my classes.

Describe your internship, research, or fieldwork and how the experience helped advance your career or studies.

I was placed in a career focused internship that allowed me to develop and apply skills from my political science degree. My placement was with the Mitcham and Morden Labour Party (MMLP), where I was actively involved in local campaigning and gained valuable insight into politics by spending time with the local party organizer, Council Leader, and Member of Parliament. The experience gave me real applicable and transferable skills in the field of politics, while also giving me a more holistic understanding of the field while abroad. The experience was key to advancing my career as I hope to develop campaigning skills, and the internship placement was a great opportunity to develop those skills.

How will your experience benefit you in the future? How might it affect your future career or studies?

I have always had an interest in international relations and history. Studying abroad in London gave me a unique opportunity to see firsthand how history has shaped culture and the fabric of a city. In London, there are regular statues and monuments remembering events from before the founding of the US. Further, I was able to go to the US Embassy, and there I was able to enrich my understanding of international relations and see what a career in foreign service might look like. My study abroad experience offered an opportunity to deepen my education with real, concrete examples of the practical applications of my studies.

What is your advice for someone considering your program?

Don’t be nervous to go! Study abroad is such an incredible experience and I would recommend it to everyone who is considering a program. Whether it is London or another program, I would say that you should look into what type of experience you want and find a program that fits. There are many options like direct transfer at different Universities, and of course Wisconsin run programs. All offer unique experiences and benefits in furthering your education and enriching your Wisconsin experience. But I would definitely recommend at least going to one of the many programs offered!