Alyse Carpenter

Alyse Carpenter is an Ambassador who studied abroad in London.

Briefly describe a specific cultural experience you had on your trip that made a lasting impression.

One evening during the month of November, I attended the Ceremony of the Keys which is held at the Tower of London and has taken place every night at 21:53 for the past 700 years without fail. Although I was just a silent observer in a small crowd of intrigued visitors, I felt very fortunate to be a part of something so historical. It was especially interesting to witness true, unchanged British tradition inside one of the most famous sites in England.

Why did you choose the program in which you participated? 

I have always had a fascination with British culture including its impressive selection of fine arts, its definitive style of cinema, and its rich history. Being from a fine arts background myself, the idea of getting to study in a part of the world so central to the field caught my attention. Not to mention, it was pretty difficult not to get excited about being able to check out the homeland of The Beatles.

Describe your overall study abroad experience.

My study abroad experience gave me the most enjoyable, teaching, and eye-opening months of all my educational years thus far. The knowledge I gained, both in and outside of the classroom, will stay with me indefinitely. I am confident that studying abroad is one of the most beneficial choices to any student. As such, for me, living in London was an essential part of taking my time at CSB-SJU to its fullest potential.

How has the trip affected you? How are you different for having completed the experience?

I came back from London with a new, appreciative outlook on what it means to be culturally aware. Some may assume that the US and UK are very similar and that choosing to study abroad in Great Britain is not much of a stretch, culturally speaking. However, I found this to be quite untrue. If anything, the similarities that did exist allowed me to better analyze what it means to be a US citizen and the cultural qualities that go along with it. Having completed my study abroad experience in London, I can only look forward to continuing a more global education in the future.

What advice do you have for future Study Abroad Students?

First, go into the study abroad experience with an open mind and an eager sense of adventure. Second, do not be afraid to dive right into the new culture and appreciate all of its elements. Third, trust that change will happen and that to challenge yourself is to make yourself stronger. Finally, never hesitate to take the opportunity to try something new.