Alumni Voices

Past London Centre participants have been asked to share their memories and feelings about the LULC experience. Here are some of their responses.

“You can read all you want about different cultures, famous artists, politics, history, and theatre.... At the London Centre every teacher uses London as their classroom so you can actually experience what you're learning.” Jarrad Bittner ’10

“I have never fallen in love with a place like I did with London. One day as I was exploring, I just stopped dead in my tracks and realized I never wanted to leave. The old Samuel Johnson adage is true: When a man (or woman, in my case) is tired of London, he is tired of life.” Julia Steiner ‘12

“The London Centre allowed me to explore interests that were completely outside my majors. My time in London has inspired me to try new things and be a more adventurous person." Lauren Thompson ‘13

“Doing this program made me grow into myself. I now feel more confident because this has been the first time that I have lived on my own, provided for myself, organized trips by myself, and lived as an adult.” Sophie Kofman ‘14

"I cannot say enough about how wonderful my experience at the London Centre was. I really wanted this experience to give me the courage to be independent and be comfortable figuring out how to get things done on my own. I truly feel that being in London did that for me. It was nice to be able to call London home for 3 months. I have never been so confident in my ability to be on my own and make a life for myself."

Emily Saltzman, '07
In London Spring 2006

"For me, the main benefit of attending the London Centre was experiencing and taking in everything London. I loved having museums, markets, galleries, parks, cathedrals and more all at my doorstep."

Stephanie Frye, '08
In London Fall 2006

"The program gave us opportunities to fully experience life in England. From Shakespeare productions, to a fun musical trip, to a ceremony at historical towers, to trips to art galleries and traveling advice, we were given the chance to take in as much of London as we could. The location of the centre is perfect - within walking distance of parks and markets, and just blocks from a tube stop which linked us with all of London."

Maddie Machon, '07
In London Spring 2006

"It has made me a more independent, adventurous, and braver person. As a Senior graduating this year, I feel a new confidence about beginning my life after college that I don't think I would have had I not come to study at the London Centre."

Sarah Hesch, '07
In London Fall 2006

"I don't see how you couldn't benefit from spending roughly ten weeks abroad in one of the largest cities in the world. The classes give you a very hands on approach to learning in London with lots of field trips and outings to various exhibits and neighborhoods in London. You also have the ability to go out and explore London, and England in general, whenever you want, and sometimes the most fun comes from getting lost in this huge city. It truly is a life changing experience."

Jacob Vosper, '07
In London Spring 2006

"It's always interesting to see a much-discussed academic topic being played out in real life. This expansion of perception is just an example of the ways in which working at an internship make classroom experiences more meaningful. I truly believe that working in the larger world and studying in the classroom simultaneously can greatly expand the value of a liberal education."

Micha Jackson, '07
In London Winter 2006

"Studying at the London Centre was the highlight of my Lawrence experience. In addition to the wide array of cultural activities and the ever-accessible Lawrence faculty (who at the London Centre come right to your flat to teach you), living in London for two terms helped me to gain an informed international perspective on the world. The London Centre is one of the only programs at Lawrence where you can study abroad in an English-speaking country."

Carl Polley, '01
In London Winter and Spring 1999

"I think the most important part of the London Center experience is just being there …. in a big international city with such easy access to theater, history, cultural events, newspapers and media, and the rest of Europe, of course!

Being in London was really the first time I gained a glimpse of the big wide world beyond Lawrence, and what life after college would be like. It was nice to travel with friends, but also to meet new classmates that I didn't normally come into contact with at Lawrence, as we all saw the same plays, attended the same concerts, and would often fall into long late-night discussions afterwards. The 'safety' of having a home base and familiar students allowed the more timid amongst us to explore without fear.

I have returned to the United Kingdom many, many times, but that first spring in London taught me so much about life in the city and the nation in general I now think of England, and London in particular, as almost a second home.

Expanding physical and mental boundaries beyond Appleton will benefit in ways that can't really be anticipated until after graduation. I don't think anyone who goes will ever be sorry."

Annie Dude, '99
In London Spring 1998

"America can be a very sheltered place to live in that we are separated from the rest of the world by two oceans. Experiencing some of the cultures of the rest of the world, if only for a short time, was a fantastic and very informative opportunity."

Beth McHenry, '07
In London Spring 2006

"My time at the London Centre will probably be the highlight of my Lawrence experience. I'm incredibly grateful that I had the opportunity to study abroad and London is one of the most amazing places to have spent my term."

Casey Sautter, '09
In London Fall 2006

"The London Center was definitely a highlight of my Lawrence Experience. I took two courses - the Shakespeare class and British government class. What made the term so memorable was the benefit of taking courses from British professors who worked the London backdrop into the course material (i.e. seeing plays at the Globe, visiting the House of Lords, etc.). It was an excellent balance of theoretical course study and practical application and hands on experiences."

Katherine Glawe Lindsay, '00
In London Spring 1999

"I think most people at home don't realize how much America does affect so many other countries. I mean I know we are a superpower, but I never realized how much of an impact we make on the world - and that is good or bad impact. I keep realizing how lucky I am to be studying abroad and learning about important issues like this… Also, thinking back on the whole study abroad thing, my dad (and I) at first thought , "Why London? That's not somewhere to study abroad. They speak English." So wrong. This is a (pretty much) whole new world, and I am learning just as much as I would have studying somewhere like France….It's so interesting to actually see that it doesn't matter if we speak the same language (for the most part)…It's a totally different place!'"

Tara DJangi, '06
In London Fall 2004

"I now know more about myself, my country, and other countries through the experience of this program. I have confidence in living on my own, traveling alone, and interacting with others of a different culture. Participating in the London Centre has been invaluable to my education, and an experience that I would not trade for the world!"

Kelly Goss, '09
In London Fall 2006

"I truly enjoyed my term in London. One benefit is experiencing college outside the Lawrence Bubble that we all live in back in Appleton. Being here allowed me to be more independent in several respects - getting around a city, traveling, cooking, organizing, and financial budgeting - things I do not really need to worry about while in Appleton."

Jenny Stoner, '08
In London Spring 2007

"There is the perfect combination of school, learning and exploration of London. I like how the classes interact with the city and that the field trips are extensive and interesting."

Kelsey McNellis, '08
In London Winter 2007

"The class structure was also great because it involved personal exploration, like in Urban Anthropology, and hands on activities. The London Centre is very unique because there are some of the same responsibilities and requirements that are on the Appleton Campus, but the educational experience was very different."

Jennifer Hair, '08
In London Spring 2006

"This experience and immersion into the London lifestyle is something that everyone should experience and the London Centre provides a means to accomplish this."

Pete Stafford, '09
In London Spring 2007