The USF in London program has come to a close, marking another successful semester abroad. With over 109 students in attendance, it stands out as a truly memorable year. Dr. Scott Solomon, Director of the School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies at the College of Arts and Sciences, dives into the captivating details of this program.
Students in front of London’s iconic Tower Bridge. (Photo courtesy of Scott Solomon)
Professor Jessica Cook (right) sightseeing with students (left) in her class. (Photo
courtesy of Jessica Cook)
Solomon has been part of the USF in London program since its inception in 2015 and assumed the role of director in 2020. He teaches a course called Empire, Blood, and Belonging: Anglo-American Citizenship in the Age of Migration. This course takes students to the Houses of Parliament, London’s Migration Museum, walking tours of multi-cultural Brixton and the historic Brick Lane.
The program runs for a 30-day duration in which students are required to complete two 3-credit courses. The goal of this program is to utilize London as a classroom, allowing students to experience a different culture and lifestyle.
“By the end of the program most students feel like they really know the geography of the city and feel like they have been living in London as opposed to just visiting the city,” Solomon said.
The program was carefully crafted to offer a wide array of courses catering to student’s academic progressions. While students study their respective subjects, Solomon has included a variety of group activities to facilitate camaraderie amongst all participants.
Each year the program starts with a welcome dinner. Students are able to mingle and create connections that last far beyond the study abroad experience. During one of the first weekends students receive their London Pass which allows them to experience iconic attractions like Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, and Windsor Castle. Another highlight of the program is a lecture, sponsored by the Judy Genshaft Honors College, featuring The Right Honorable Henry McLeish, who is a former Member of the U.K. Parliament, former First Minister of Scotland, and a current member of the King’s Privy Council. The program closes out with an afternoon tea cruise on the Thames River.
“By that point in the program students are familiar with so many landmarks, it’s a lot of fun to locate different iconic buildings or locations. This also allows students to compare their experiences, reflect on what they’ve learned, and think about how they are going to make their way back to London in the future,” Solomon said.
The program has also established a dedicated group of professors who are eager to teach abroad. Although there is a demand for participation, the work required is not for the faint of heart.
“When we need new faculty, we try to emphasize that the program is a lot of work, given the need to teach two classes a day, as well as offer pastoral care for our students. Study abroad programs vary a lot, and USF in London is not a leisurely pace! Faculty work very hard while they are in London, but find it very rewarding, mostly due to our incredible students and the opportunity to use London as a classroom,” he said.
Associate Professor Jennifer O’Brien. (Photo courtesy of Jennifer O’Brien)
Dr. Jennifer O’Brien, associate professor and campus chair of the Department of Psychology at the USF St. Petersburg campus, attended the program for the first time this year. While abroad, she taught two courses, the Psychology of Aging and Career Development in Psychology.
While O’Brien might be new to the program, she is very familiar with living and studying in the U.K. as she earned her PhD from the University of Wales. Reflecting on that time, she mentions that the experience made her a strong advocate for study abroad and ultimately served as the main motivation for her to pursue this opportunity.
O'Brien draws comparisons between building a 30-day class structure versus a standard semester. Contrary to popular belief, her experience offers a different perspective.
“Teaching abroad in such a short semester required a very different approach than a typical semester in Florida. I found it less difficult to teach than my normal classes because we could make use of almost everything we did while we were in London. By necessity, a 30-day semester needs an abbreviated coursework load, but these courses were so rich in real-life and hands-on experiences that more than made up for the shortened period,” O’Brien said.
O’Brien and her class took full advantage of utilizing London as a classroom, claiming that on average they were walking six miles a day. Being in the city also allowed students to engage with working professionals and cultivate skills they otherwise wouldn’t have had if not given the opportunity abroad.
In O’Brien’s class, students had the chance to visit unique locales. They visited the University College of London’s Anna Freud Centre, an institution dedicated to mental health research. They spent an afternoon at SKIM, an international consumer agency where they analyzed consumer behavior. The students also had a chance to learn about the Windrush migration during an afternoon tea session with older migrant adults who experienced the historical event.
O’Brien cherishes the memories made during this experience, but the most profound takeaway was the impact it had on her students.
“Getting to take such memorable classes in such an amazing city is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience and can go far in turning USF students into global citizens,” she said.
Associate Professor, Jessica Cook. (Photo courtesy of Jessica Cook)
In contrast to O’Brien’s first year, Associate Professor of Instruction in the Department of English, Jessica Cook is well-acquainted with the USF in London program. Cook has been involved with this program since 2018, teaching two unique classes, Jane Austen in London and Harry Potter Films.
“I taught my first class for the USF in London program in 2018 somewhat unexpectedly. Another faculty member had to pull out of the program due to work conflicts and I took over their Jane Austen course. I’ve always wanted to teach a study abroad course and London is one of my favorite cities, so I was thrilled to get this unexpected opportunity and I’ve gone back every chance I’ve had since,” Cook said.
London is especially unique for Cook’s classes, as part of the curriculum involves visits to locations showcasing the Regency era. Many of which evoke Jane Austen’s work like “Pride and Prejudice” as her novels take place during this time period. The group also visited the filming locations for "Harry Potter" even stepping into the actual set where the magical world comes to life.
“I take the students on a walk-through Primrose Hill and Regent’s Park and students always say they better understand Elizabeth Bennet’s country walking! It’s almost like an opportunity to go sightseeing inside “Pride and Prejudice” or “Sense and Sensibility.” I get to do something similar with the Harry Potter class, allowing us to step inside the films, so to speak. We do a lot of walking tours of filming locations, see iconic sights like Tower Bridge, and places that suddenly take on meaning for a “Harry Potter” fan. Like Great Scotland Yard, which is the entrance to the Ministry of Magic in the films. But our most exciting trip is definitely the “Harry Potter” tour at Warner Bros. Studios, where you truly do get to step inside the sets and view costumes and props, allowing us to fully appreciate the artistry, labor, and collaboration that went into making this film series,” Cook said.
Cook emphasizes that experiences like study abroad allows students to be pushed out of their comfort zones. In return, they gain invaluable personal growth.
“My Jane Austen class writes weekly letters about their travel. I ask them to address their final letter to themselves by answering this question, ‘What do you want to take home with you?’ Those students write about a range of experiences: a stronger sense of confidence and independence, new friends, a newfound taste for art or a foreign cuisine, a desire to see more of the world, and a better understanding of that world and of themselves. I always hope students walk away from my classes knowing more about Jane Austen or the Harry Potter films, but I also hope they walk away with a lot more: the kind of experiences that only travel and getting outside of our daily routines can give us,” she said.
The USF in London program offers unique experiences for all students, enabling them to expand their education while enriching their perspectives. These encounters foster personal and professional growth, ultimately contributing to their careers.
Solomon shares that a former student of his, Sarah Glaser, pursued higher education in the U.K. as a result of her experience with the program. Glaser attended study abroad in 2019, studying under Solomon and Judy Genshaft Honors College, Dean Charles Adams.
USF in London students enjoying dinner together. (Photo courtesy of Spencer Montgomerie)
Students listening to a lecture. (Photo courtesy of Scott Solomon)
“The USF in London program was the first time I spent any significant time abroad and it ignited a desire to travel and experience other cultures. I also was inspired to change my major to political science, focusing on international relations and ultimately pursue a career in international politics. This experience prompted me to return to London for a semester in 2021, through the honors college. I interned with a political consultancy and received a Fulbright Scholarship to pursue graduate study in the U.K. I have spent the past year studying at Royal Holloway University of London and will start at the London School of Economics this fall,” Glaser said.
In his role as program director, Solomon recognizes the significance of study abroad for students, and works diligently every year to ensure that each experience is both educational and impactful. His own experience studying abroad in Costa Rica during his undergraduate years gives him a sense of connection to students today.
“My experience living and studying in a foreign country had a profound impact on me. Getting out of my comfort zone and experiencing new challenges allowed me to think differently about what I might want to do professionally. The thrill of exploration and discovery of a different way of life was a unique experience. My decision to pursue a PhD in political science/international studies had a lot to do with that life-changing experience in Costa Rica. That’s part of the reason I am passionate about education abroad. I always tell students that if you don’t come to London with me, you should go somewhere! Financing education abroad can be a challenge, but it’s the best investment I have ever made,” he said.
To learn more about USF in London and other study abroad opportunities, visit the USF Education Abroad webpage.