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Karla Johnson
Karla Johnson is an Ambassador who studied abroad in London.
Briefly describe a specific cultural experience you had on your trip that made a lasting impression.
At the beginning of my stay in London, I was riding the Tube on a Monday morning and I noticed that there were two seven year old girls wearing uniforms riding the Tube alone, unaccompanied by any adults. The girls were clearly on their way to school. The Tube was packed and there wasn't any room for the girls to sit down. At first, I was afraid for the safety of these girls because they were so young, but then I started thinking that these girls grew up riding the Tube. Their parents felt comfortable letting them ride alone. I began to realize that they were probably safe on this Tube because people in England don't have guns. As an American, I am so used to seeing guns in movies, and hearing about gun shootings. But in London, they don't have gun fights. When I went to New York last summer, I was honestly afraid to use the subway system alone regardless of the time of day and I always made sure to ride with someone I knew. In London, I constantly rode the Tube by myself and I felt confident and safe. It was an eye opening experience for me.
Why did you choose the program in which you participated?
I had gone to London for one week while I was in high school, and I fell in love with the city so I knew London was where I wanted to study abroad. I enjoy theatre productions, and London's West End has an endless amount of productions, so I knew I would never get bored! I am also an English major so I wanted to become more acquainted with British literature and actually go to the places that I was reading about. I am minoring in secondary education and I wanted to bring the experiences I gained in London into my classroom because I thought it would benefit me in the future with my career as a teacher.
Describe your overall study abroad experience.
I would tell prospective students studying abroad that they need to go to London. I never thought of myself as a city person, but after spending a semester in London, I want to live there. There are many opportunities in the city where you are surrounded by people, but there are also areas where it is very quiet and peaceful (like Hyde Park). I would tell students that London has many sight seeing places, such as Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Kensington Palace, Windsor Castle, the Royal Albert Hall, Abbey Road, the London Eye, Kew Gardens, etc. There are many places outside of London that are easy to travel to, like Brighton and Bath. London is conveniently located by other countries, such as France and Ireland, and it is easy and cheap to fly to them if the student had an interest traveling to another area over a break. While I was in London, I saw thirty five theatre productions and all of them were phenomenal. I also attended film premieres (which are free!) and saw countless celebrities from Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John, and Dame Helen Mirren, to Katy Perry, Keira Knightley, Emily Blunt, Samuel L. Jackson, and James McAvoy, to name a few. London changed my life and I would highly recommend prospective students to study abroad because living in another country for another semester opens people's eyes to other cultures and other ways of doing things, and a person can only gain information and become a better and more informed person from doing this.
How has the trip affected you? How are you different for having completed the experience?
Spending four months in London has greatly impacted my life. I have an even more greater appreciation for the arts. On returning home to Minnesota, I have found that I have taken more advantage of the theatrical performances offered here, even though they may not be as good as the performances in London. I also have a deeper appreciation for public transportation. The Tube was fantastic. I got everywhere I needed to go using the Tube. I never had to take a taxi. I have become more environmentally sustainable because of traveling to London. I realize how insufficient the transportation system in Minnesota is compared to London's.
What advice do you have for future Study Abroad Students?
Do something new every day! I would also suggest making a list of things that you want to do and continue adding to it throughout the trip. Studying abroad is not a time to sit in front of the computer or television. It is a time to explore the new place that you're in and do as much as you possibly can. I would also suggest saving a lot of money, especially for the students studying abroad in London. It does cost a lot, but it's worth it! There is also many free things that you can do when you're in London, which is wonderful.