Student Bloggers

When studying abroad, you'll encounter all sorts of cultural differences, and the academic culture is no exception. Providence College student Christina Schwab (Queen Mary, Spring '24) shares her experiences so far, and how she is embracing these differences to get the most out of her time in London.

If you are considering going abroad or have already committed to doing so, consider this an affirmation that it is a great choice (educationally and in general)! In London, I spend less time in class than I do back at home. Typically (at my home college), students spend two and a half hours per week in each class. These classes are mostly broken up into two or three shorter periods. This differs from my experience in London because all of my classes meet for one seminar a week which is two hours long. While this is not the case for every class, I believe that most students have classes that meet once per week. This is awesome because it frees up your schedule to explore the city. It also means that you have a larger amount of homework to do for each class rather than smaller increments, but having classes that meet once per week have given me the time to do my homework while touring around London. Instead of coming back from class and doing my homework in my dorm room or in the school library to save time before my next class, I am able to travel to different coffee shops, libraries, art museums, and other quiet spaces where people are allowed to work. Personally, this has been super motivating. Not only am I getting my work done, but I also don’t feel like I’m wasting my time abroad studying in my room. I can go to Tate Britain (a fantastic art museum), enter for free, and take my study breaks viewing amazing works of art. I also have time to run errands, relax, partake in on-campus events, and (my favorite) attend shows on the West End in the evenings. Also, you have the ability to rearrange your schedule within the first two weeks or so of class. While my day off is Tuesday, some people I know are able to have a three day weekend. Class is obviously the reason we’re here, however, being able to have a few consecutive days off has allowed some of my friends to travel more often on the weekends.

In addition to the pace of classes here, I have also been loving the content of the classes themselves. The professors I’ve had have all been fantastic so far, and they really care about the students and the subjects that they’re teaching. I’ve also found that I am able to take classes which are not available at my home college. I think this is great because, while I’m receiving credit for these classes, I’m learning about new subjects which aren’t offered back home. This is especially relevant in regards to the upper level classes I’m taking. For reference, I’m taking two level five classes and two level six classes and I’m on the Global Shakespeare thematic program. The classes I’m taking here are all really interesting, manageable, and fun! Also, I heard before about professors being less accessible than they are in the United States. This might just be my experience, but I’ve found that all of my professors are really nice, helpful, and eager to teach us. My professors learned my name within the first two weeks, lead exciting conversations in class, and are accessible by email for any questions. If you’re stressed at all about the professors or classes here, I can say that my personal experience with both has been very positive so far.

I also think that I should acknowledge that I’m taking four classes here, whereas I take five at home. The half hour difference in times also means that I am in class less during the week here than I am at home, and have one less class to do homework for. Originally, I was confused because I did have more free time. However, I’m taking this as an opportunity to relax and explore. At Providence College, I’m constantly involved in activities throughout the day. Going between classes, work, rehearsals, and meetings can often be tiring, so I was originally nervous that I wasn’t doing enough here. If you’re nervous about that, don’t be! You can join a group on campus, travel to other places outside of London, and see as much as you can in the city. I originally felt unproductive because I wasn’t booked and busy every day of the week, however, I think studying abroad has been a wonderful change of pace. I’m learning to be independent, getting time to explore my hobbies, and still have time to complete my school work. Choosing to study abroad is a great choice, both academically and personally.

I’m so glad that I decided to study in London. The pace of classes here has given me the ability to both enjoy touring the city while also focusing on the course material. If you’re nervous about taking classes in London, know that there are so many other students who are probably feeling the same way but will also learn how fun and manageable it is to be a student in London! If you’re already planning on studying here, I hope you enjoy your experience!!! If you’re thinking about it, I couldn’t recommend being a student here more!