PERSONAL TESTIMONIES

This section contains personal testimonies from the professors and several of
the students who participated in the COMM IN LONDON program.
They write about their feelings about the experience in general
and share some of their favorite memories.

For the most part, these stories are for the benefit of students.
The eighteen students from Winter Session 2001 can consider this a yearbook of sorts.
Other students can gain insight into what studying abroad is really all about.

Thanks to all of my fellow 2001 Londoners for their contributions.
 

||| PHOTOS  |||  RECOMMENDATIONS  |||  HELPFUL HINTS  |||

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Ms.V:
For 21 "strangers" to meet, mingle, travel to another country, adjust to the "norms" of that nation, wend our way around its delights, sites, and experiences, as well as to bond and become OUR GROUP which shared Speakers' Corner, long coach and train trips, humorous guides in castles and cathedrals, many theatre experiences, pancakes or chips 'n' fries, is an experience we had only hoped for and are now still in disbelief about how well and quickly it became our reality!

"This past January's COMM in LONDON group was our first and was terrific.....a feat we hope to be able to replicate in '02!"

Dr. Perse:
This group of students participated in our first "experiment" with study abroad.  What a great group of students!  We couldn't have had a more enthusiastic and fun-loving group.  I loved your speeches and your presentations!!  Keep in touch.

Amy S:
One of the greatest moments in London for me was the first or second day we were there -- John, Kassy, Myriah, and I went touring around on some of our free time.  When we got to the River Thames and the beautiful views of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, I knew I was in London!  There was so much beauty and culture, I was truly overwhelmed.

Overall, the London trip was one of the best experiences of my life.  I had such a great time!  The sights were incredible, the students were unbelievably friendly and welcoming, and the professors for this trip are two of the greatest people I know.  I could not think of a better way to spend four weeks!

Karen:
I'll never forget when we were out at Waxy O'Connor's Bar and this totally beefy drag queen walked in on me in my bathroom stall!  It was this big, muscular guy with tattoos everywhere and major 5 o'clock shadow, but he was wearing a tiny black leather miniskirt, a halter top, and full makeup.  It was scary...only in London...

Early in the trip a bunch of us were at the Tube station, and we spotted Ewan McGregor riding the escalator (Erin pointed him out) -- that was cool.

More than half the class was late for "Romeo and Juliet," thanks to Tube delays...We all missed about an hour of the play.  We were so dumb, all of us obnoxious Americans filing into the theatre in a line, trying to keep quiet during the middle of the show...Everyone was staring at us because we were so annoying.  Then we spent the rest of the play laughing at Dr. Perse's husband, who was fast asleep almost the whole time.

Jess and I felt really guilty for spending all our parents' money on ourselves during the trip, so one afternoon we went out and bought lunch for some homeless guys so we didn't feel so bad about our splurging.  It was so moving to watch the homeless men sharing their meals with their dogs...

Lynn:
It was an incredible, once in lifetime experience that was even better than I thought it would be!  It's amazing to realize how much I saw and experienced while in London...I will never forget the trip or the people!

...I loved everything -- it's too hard to pick my favorites because each experience was so unique and fun.  All I can say is that no matter where you go or what you do in London, I'm sure you'll have an amazing and unforgettable experience.

Kassy:
Going to London was one of the best experiences of my life -- so far!  My favorite place to go was Covent Garden around dinner time when it was just starting to get dark outside.  There was always some form of entertainment:  mimes, a pretend "bobbie," or someone singing old James Taylor songs and playing the guitar.  It was the one place that I always kept returning to!

Jessica:
Twenty one strangers, picked to live in a hotel, and have their speeches graded -- this is the Real World -- COMM IN LONDON style.  I really don't even know how to put into words the amazing time I had in London.  I got the chance to live in one of the greatest cities in the world for one month and get 6 credits for it!  I can honestly say I loved every minute of it.  I met people I would never have had the chance to meet otherwise and when I left London (reluctantly), I came back to UD with 20 new friends, some of whom I think are the best friends I've made at this school.  Every person on the trip had their own unique thing to offer, and there is no better way to prepare for a speech than by sitting in a hotel pub late on a Sunday night with a round of beers, surrounded by your new group of friends.

This was an experience I will never ever ever forget (and if I think I might, I have 15 roles of film to remind me).  I cannot speak highly enough of the program and our 2 advisors (and yes, I already have my grades, so there is no motivation for me to kiss ass).  This was an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I envy all of you who have the opportunity to do it.  Trust me, if I could, I would be back in a heartbeat (like if the courses were changed to a few 400-level classes -- hint hint).

And finally...stay away from beef.  Trust me.  Just stay away.

Amy C:
All in all, it is an amazing experience that all communication students should take advantage of.  You form new friendships and are taught by two extremely dedicated and fun teachers.  It is a memory that I will never forget!

Anna:
I'd like to start out by saying what a wonderful time I had with all of you in London.  Honestly, I don't think I could have asked for a better group of people...the combination of the 21 of us was perfect!  Not a day goes by that I don't think about London in some way or another.  Whether I'm looking at the framed pictures from Bath on my wall, running into someone from the trip, or wishing I were eating at Wagamama's instead of dining hall "stir fry"...anything seems to trigger my London memories!  I hope to stay in touch with all of you over the next few years.  Good luck to everyone who is graduating!!  I miss you all!

Carol:
"There are places I remember all my life..."

Living and studying in London for a month was one of the absolute BEST experiences of my life.  (Why else would I volunteer to put this page together?)  I learned so much -- in class, on tours, at museums, and from the other people on the trip.  It was a truly enriching and unforgettable experience.  I came away from this trip with twenty new friends and some unbelievably great memories.  Overall, I think the worst part about this trip was that it had to end.

2001 Londoners, click here.

Melissa:
COMM IN LONDON was one of the most incredible experiences of not only my college career, but my life thus far.  Enjoy all the wonderful excursions, but also be sure to note the "little" aspects of this western culture so connected to ours, yet so different in many ways.  You'll find yourself cracking up over the silliest matters, and while it may seem weird asking where the "loo" is at first, you'll soon ask why we ever insisted on keeping the term "bathroom" for rooms without tubs!  This is just the smallest of sorts.  Keep an open mind, and notice everything.  Have a sense of humour about our American culture; their humour toward ours is usually right on the money.  :-)  The memories will last you a lifetime!

Mike:
Steve sleeps more than any person I know.