Office of Study Abroad and Study Away Programs

Study Abroad e-diaries

Sarah Milardo '08

Double major in psychology and sociology
Studying in the London Internship Program

Email: November 9, 2006

Hello all!

Unbelievable! I'm more tha half-way finished with my stay here in London, England and the idea of it all is EXTREMELY bittersweet. However, there are still 5.5 weeks left, so plenty of time to make many more memories.

Well, since I've talked to you last I have visited yet another country. I'm truly taking advantage of the fact that it is so, very easy to travel here. However, if you are planning on studying abroad in Europe (specifically London) make sure you leave yourself enough weekends to enjoy everything they have here. While here, five of my 15 weeks are spent travelling. I think that is an appropriate number and I don't think I would use any more weekends (even if I could afford it!). I'm realizing now that I only have 4 weekends left in London and the mere idea of it makes me so sad! Don't get me wrong, I enjoy myself immensely when I'm travelling, but when is the next time I will be LIVING in Europe? So, basically if you plan on studying abroad, make sure you plan your weekend wisely and know what you truly want.

Anyway, last weekend I visited Germany with some friends. We had such a fantastic time! Since it was the beginning of November and Germany was just ending it's famous "Oktoberfest," the flight tickets to major cities like Berlin or Munich were astronomical! So we went to a less touristy area that had a bit more of a traditional German atmosphere. We went to the city of Cologne and had such a great time... we truly got a feeling for the German tradition and culture. We visited the Chocolate factory and the famous "Dom" cathedral. The nightlife was great as well as the antique shopping. However, I do plan on visiting Germany again in the future to see the major cities.

My internship is going so well! By now I have formed some great, close yet professional relationships with some of my patients. They now feel comfortable with me as a psychology student and I feel that I am better able to read and understand them in return. It makes me so sad to think that we're going to have to break these bonds semi-soonish. Though I wish it weren't so, I will have to start pulling myself away from them so the shift is less drastic. But.. that's life and next semester they'll have a new Clark intern to bond with.

This past weekend was Guy Fawkes Day. Guy Fawkes is similar to Halloween. Okay, first of allŠ Halloween in England is not as big a deal as it is back in the States. But, every year more and more Brits are joining in on the festivities. Us Americans, though, enjoyed it just as much as every other year! The whole LIP program came over my flat for a Halloween party and some Clarkies who are studying in London also joined us. It was so amazing to have everyone all together, dressed up and having a really great time. But, back to Guy Fawkes Day. This day celebrates how Guy Fawkes did not succeed in blowing up Parliament many years ago. Everyone sets off firecrackers and all of London smells like a giant bonfire. it's really a great night. We were flying in from Germany just in time to see all of England shimmer from our airplane. It was a beautiful site.

Well, I guess that¹s all for now. Though you will hear from me again before I depart, I have a few messages left. If you are studying abroad next semester, prepare yourself for one of the best experiences of your life (quite literally). You are going to grow more in 3.5 months than you have your whole life and you will find yourself constantly thinking, "Is this truly happening to me? Am I really here?" It¹s greatŠ.make the best of it. If you are thinking about studying abroad in the futureŠ DO IT!

Cheers,
Sarah

Email: October 16, 2006

Hey again,

So I've been here in London for exactly six weeks and the experience is becoming more and more unreal. I try to appreciate each and every moment I have here, and honestly, it's not hard to do so.

For the past two weekends some friends and I have been taking advantage of our excellent location. Two weeks ago we travelled to Amsterdam, Holland for the weekend and last weekend we visted Rome, Italy. We had an amazing time in both countries and it really helps that it's so easy to travel while in Europe. There are multiple low budget airlines that offer cheaply priced flights to so many excellent locations. Within the next two months I will also be visiting Germany, Greece, and France. It's truly amazing how much one can experience in a single semester!

Now that I'm well into my internship, the job has gotten even more interesting than it began. I have been able to form personal yet very professional relationships with my patients and that has made it easier for them to talk to me, which has in turn made it more interesting for me to be there. Waking up each day knowing that I am going to a job I truly enjoy is such a great feeling. It makes learning much easier when you enjoy what you are doing.

However, I need to try and not forget what it's like to be a student. Here we do take one class a week and sometimes I find myself so caught up in what I am doing at work that I find myself forgetting my duties as a student! But, things always work out for the better and the teachers here work really well with the students. My teacher is great; she knows that I work a full time internship and want to experience Europe. She makes assignments flexible enough so I can appreciate all aspects of being abroad. And honestly... I really don't miss the mid-terms ;-).

As I said earlier, I have been travelling for the past two weekends and what's great about London is that there is always something to do and I actually really miss being in London during the weekends! I am so glad that I have the next few weekends here without travelling because there are still things here that I have not seen and I've been here for six weeks! This weekend I hope to get to Portobello Road where there is great vintage markets, and Camden where there are other amazing shops. I also haven't been in Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, or Abbey Road, where the Beatles recorded some albums and took the famous picture of themselves walking the cross-walk. It's good to know that you can never get bored in London.

Well, that's it for now! I'll be sure to keep you posted on other new and exiting adventures!

Ciao,
Sarah

Email: September 19, 2006

Dear Clarkies,

Welcome to my study abroad experiences. London is a fantastic place and I am more than happy to share it's up's and down's with you.

First of all, I decided to study abroad in London because I was very interested in doing an internship program. I was, at the time of my application, (and still am) at a time in my life when I felt ready for a change. An internship seemed the most appropriate. While I loved (and still do love) being a student at Clark, I felt ready for a hands-on experience. The London Internship Program is providing just that. I take one class a week and go to work four days a week. It's great because I receive the credits I need while also getting an experience I can not easily receive in a classroom.

I am a double major in psychology and sociology and I my internship is in an Adolescent Psych. Ward at a hospital located right in London. At a normal day at work I sit in in therapy sessions, work in the classroom, as well as take part in extra curricular activities. Right now I am still in the process of getting to know the patients so that eventually they will feel comfortable with me and I will be allowed to counsel one on one with them. It's a great feeling to be so involved. My job (as well as many other internships, I have heard) also allow the interns to go on field trips and holidays. I had a friend go to Oxford the other day with her work, and soon I will be going to the ballet with one of my patients. The program is a great way to really experience London, British Culture, and extra fun as well.

Also, London is an amazing place to live. Although it is quite expensive, it is well worth it. The program accommodations are located right in central London which, is quite a wealthy area. At our first orientation we were informed that the Dutchess's mother lived across the street. So while you are expected to take proper security measurements (as you would in any other City and at Clark in general) central London is surrounded by high profile people which is very exciting. Night life is also quite fabulous. There are a wide variety of tours, pubs, clubs, and theaters to choose from. Many of the museums offer free admission and others offer great deals for students.

What's also nice about the LI program is the activities that are provided and pre-paid for by the program. For instance, LIP students this fall were given free: tour of the Thames River at dusk, day trip to Cambridge, admission to see the musical "The Producers," a guided bus tour of all of London, and a delicious lunch in an expensive London restaurant. By the time you are finished with all the activities, you have another long list of touristy events to complete. Options for things to do in London areendless.

Sarah