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Anne Miller
Anne Miller is an Ambassador who studied abroad in London.
Briefly describe a specific cultural experience you had on your trip that made a lasting impression.
I learned about Great Britain's view towards Harry Potter. Upon talking to a Londoner, our age, naturally Harry Potter came up. He proceeded to tease us for reading the books and laughed even harder when we told him we were going to the movie on opening day. He told us that Harry Potter was for children and anyone over forty. Personally, he would not be caught dead reading Harry Potter. We were absolutely shocked, coming from a culture where every man woman and child has read Harry Potter and seen the movies, this could not possibly true, surely this man was an outlier. However, a couple weeks later we showed up at opening night of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I. The theater was half empty and about half of it was American study abroad students from different institutions. Finally, when we saw this appalling turn-out, we realized there must have been some truth in our friend's statement. The last straw to this countries catastrophic view towards Harry Potter, was in the bookstore. We found the Harry Potter books and there were 'children's editions' and 'adult editions'. The adult books had lifelike photographs on them, so that when being read, it didn't look like the reader was reading a 'children's' book. This entire Harry Potter experience was very eye opening and brought me to realize that everyone doesn't like what America likes, even if it's Harry Potter.
Why did you choose the program in which you participated?
I wanted to study abroad because I love to travel. I had been told by my family and friends that study abroad had been one of the best experiences of their lives. When looking at colleges, the study abroad programs were a big factor for choosing this school. I chose to go to London because it is such a metropolitan city. Not only did I want to discover the British culture, but I wanted to experience all of the other cultures that have made their home in London.
Describe your overall study abroad experience.
My experience was wonderful. Everyone says this, but it really will change your life. I've found that it prepared me for 'the real' world much better than any talks or seminars would. We live in a sheltered world on our CSB/SJU campuses. Get out there while you have the chance!
How has the trip affected you? How are you different for having completed the experience?
While in London, we were trying to do and see as much as possible. This made it important to make decisive decisions, stop procrastinating and just go out and do something. Now that I am back in America, I have found that I am a much more efficient person. Instead of spending 30 minutes deciding what to do another 30 minutes wasted on the internet, I have become decisive. I know what I need to do what I want to do and I get it done.
What advice do you have for future Study Abroad Students?
Do everything and anything that you can. Take full advantage of this amazing opportunity because you will never be in this situation again. This is not a family vacation where you just see the famous sites. Get in there and discover your country.