I studied abroad in London during the spring of my junior year in 2018. Our classes were located in the heart of Bloomsbury in Russell Square, just across the street from the British Museum, and our housing accommodations were a quick 20-minute walk away, just past King’s Cross station.
It was one of the most influential periods of my life, offering me opportunities to learn from students from other universities and lecturers with equally diverse backgrounds. What I loved most about my program was the structure of our course. The curriculum was different from what I was used to at Fairfield. Abroad, we took turbo style classes, two at a time allowing me to complete a total of 6 courses. In addition to my studies in London, I was able to visit an additional 14 countries! During our courses you could find us studying in some of our favorite pubs (or trains and airplanes, depending on where we were visiting that weekend) or sitting in a park to read during the unseasonably warm spring we had. During my 5 months in London, I truly fell in love with the city, and it was a significant factor in my decision to return to a UK school for my Master’s.
This past January, I officially graduated from King’s College London with a Master’s of Science in Marketing. Back in 2021, when looking at universities for my Master’s, I knew I wanted to study at an international university, furthering my education not just from the courses but also from my peers. This desire was instilled in me from my time abroad. I also wanted to learn about marketing from a perspective outside of the U.S. to expand my knowledge on the subject matter.
My graduate courses not only focused on UK marketing but also on marketing around the world. This was further compounded by the fact that my peers were from Europe, Asia, South America, and the U.S. as well. Hearing others’ experiences and applying real-life examples to our coursework made the degree that much more impactful. I found myself applying my current studies to my day-to-day job in advertising.
The transformative study abroad experience in London during my junior year at Fairfield University laid the foundation for a subsequent journey at King's College London. The turbo-style classes, exposure to diverse perspectives, and the love developed for London during that period fueled my decision to return for advanced studies. The international focus of the Master's program broadened my understanding of marketing and its global application. I’m grateful for the support of both my undergraduate and graduate school faculty, friends, family, and my colleagues for supporting me through both international opportunities. Their encouragement has played a crucial role in paving the way for where I am today.
