Student Journals: AIFS in London, England

Kara Skaling
Champlain College
Richmond, the International University in London, England

Studying abroad in a new place far from home can be one of the most incredible and eye-opening experiences a student can have during their short time as a student. When that experience is one that not only lets you explore a brand new culture, but a brand new way at approaching your major as well, it just can’t get any better.

My name is Kara Skaling and I’m in my junior year of college. Realizing I was approaching the real world faster and faster, I decided to apply for a semester abroad in London. What a great decision that was! In the states I go to Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont. I am studying to be a Middle School teacher and will receive a dual degree in History and English. Being a teacher is something that I have always wanted to do, no questions asked. Deciding upon middle school came quite a bit later after realizing that not only are middle school students hyper and rambunctious, but they’re at a crucial stage in their lives and I want to be the teacher to make sure that they’re heading in the right direction. When I found out that going abroad would allow me to experience a school of another culture, London quickly became even more of a goal that I needed to reach. How interesting would that be to go to a culture that at first seems so close in relation to my own, only to see the great differences and few similarities? I saw it as an opportunity that needed to be taken, an experience that just couldn’t be overlooked as I participate in my once-in-a-lifetime semester abroad.

While here in London, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to volunteer in a local school a little outside the hustle and bustle of the city. Just about an hour’s travel southeast of the city, I travel to a great junior school to get a firsthand experience to see the similarities and the differences between schools here in Britain and schools back home. On my first visit to the school I was filled with nerves of excitement, so excited to get a new look into being a teacher in another culture and country. The first thing I noticed between the two countries are the schools themselves. While in America we typically have the three stages of schooling (elementary, middle, and high school) not including pre-K, most areas of Britain have three all together (infant, junior, and secondary). The junior school of which I have been going to teaches students until their sixth year (around age 11) where they next test to get into various secondary schools in the area. Not quite like back home!

Anyways, I was quite nervous upon going to the school my first day not knowing what to expect from the students, while keeping in mind the rambunctious, pre-pubescent tendencies of the students back home around their ages. Once I entered the year six classroom I was to work in I’m not quite sure how long it took for my jaw to come off the ground! Their overwhelming politeness really took me aback. From what I’ve experienced in the states, quite a few students their ages need a bit of a push to want to learn and be polite in return, but not these students! They all seemed so eager to be learning how to find the perimeter around the uneven building, or all about the major rivers of the world. Also upon hearing my American accent, whenever I got the chance to work with a group of students, it was difficult to keep them away from asking me every question (educational, of course) about America and keep them on task! As time went on the similarities and differences began to make themselves more known and all the more interesting.

This opportunity has shown me a brand new way of viewing the other side of what I know and what I have grown comfortable with and proving that there is so much more out there to experience. Perhaps I’ll find myself teaching around here in the future. For what I thought was a concrete decision to come home to teach in the states, this opportunity has shown me another side to these future plans of mine and opened my eyes. Thank you London for showing me such a great side that I never knew I would find! One thing is sure is that this won’t be my last visit across the pond.

Richmond, The American International University in London

Richmond International Internship Program

Shakespeare's Globe Program in London

Institute of Education, University of London