Year abroad

In the 2022-23 academic year, BSc Social Anthropology student, Annie completed her year abroad at the University of Cape Town. Here she talks about her experience:

 Before relocating to South Africa for a year, I had limited expectations for what lay ahead. My knowledge of the country was scant, revolving around its prowess in rugby and its intricate history. Upon sharing my decision to study abroad in South Africa with friends and family, I encountered tales of caution and warnings about potential dangers. However, a few months into my study abroad programme, I felt right at home and any apprehension in regard to my decision had dissolved.

University of Cape Town (UCT) students greeted me at the airport, and an induction session with fellow study abroad students quickly turned strangers into friends. The city of Cape Town, one of the most beautiful I've ever been to, offered a plethora of exciting activities.

Cape Town is known for its scenic drives, wine farms, beaches, and night life. Many of my peers took up surfing, while I developed a passion for hiking that continues to be a significant hobby in my life. The opportunity for personal growth is endless.

One reason I choose UCT is because there was a beach, just a 20-minute drive from campus and two, because they offered courses in anthropology, I hadn’t had the chance of exploring such as medical anthropology. Studying medical anthropology really opened my eyes to a variety of careers anthropologists can take within the field of research especially in a post-Covid world. I was also able to pick non-anthropological modules which allowed me to explore other interests of mine.

All my friends and family members that came to visit me said they wished they had gone on a study abroad and if I could, I would do it all over again.

In the 2022-23 academic year, BA Social Anthropology student, Jacob completed his year abroad at the University of Tokyo. Here he talks about his experience:

 Fohua was a BA Social Anthropology student who completed a year abroad at the University of Tokyo in the 2022-23 academic year. Here he talks about his experience:

The time I spent at the University of Tokyo was a transformative year for me. The courses offered at the University of Tokyo provided an expansive array of choices, allowing me to understand Japan from various aspects.

On campus, I enjoyed the traditional university festivals, which were a fun way to experience the Japanese way of university life. Stepping outside the campus, there were also field trips to the streets that bear significant influence from urban planning in the 90s, or the Korean school that still has a distinctive North Korean perspective. Not to mention the places that I went to in my own time, I travelled to almost every prefecture of Japan during my time there. From the serene temples of Kyoto to the bustling streets of Tokyo, I deepened my connection with the country and appreciated the beauty of diversity.

In serval visits that I paid to different places in Japan, I had the company of the local students that I made friends with. This was another precious experience provided by the exchange programme. There were also exchange students from all parts of the world, the shared experience of being in Japan also helped us to bond. Whether from the classes, or the circles (societies), there were all sorts of ways to meet new people and make new friends.

For me, this exchange programme was a mosaic of cultural exploration, intellectual growth, and personal discovery. For students who are interested in familiarising themselves with Japanese culture and society, I believe this programme will definitely not fail your expectation.

In the 2023-24 academic year, BSc Social Anthropology student, Berenice completed her year abroad at the University of Cape Town. Here she talks about her experience:

What made you decide to study abroad?
I wanted to experience a different academic system and study at a university outside of Europe. As a French student having only lived in Europe, it was especially important for me to acknowledge Eurocentrism from an external perspective to overcome the biases accumulated. I also wanted to challenge my comfort zone, meet new people, and experience a different kind of student life compared to the big city experience I know in London. Additionally, I was unsure about what to do after my degree and saw this as an opportunity to take a year to explore different areas of interest.

Can you share a memorable experience or adventure you had during your time abroad?
I made many lifelong memories during my time abroad. One of the most memorable was doing a bungee jump for the first time — from the second-highest bungee bridge in the world — while on a road trip with my international friends from UCT.

Another unforgettable experience was running the Two Oceans Half Marathon with my closest friend from Cape Town. Crossing the finish line with an even bigger smile than when I started was a moment I’ll never forget.

How did studying abroad impact your academic and personal growth?
Studying abroad, especially since grades didn’t count toward my LSE transcript, allowed me to put academic pressure aside. This gave me the freedom to delve into topics purely out of interest and take risks in creative writing, leading to stimulating discussions and a renewed sense of joy in learning — something that faded in the fast-paced life of London. On a personal level, I had to continuously adapt and step out of my comfort zone, which helped me grow significantly as an individual and being so far away from home made me realise what truly was important to me.

What advice would you give to someone considering studying abroad? 
If you’re curious and interested in challenging yourself both academically and personally, go for it! Speak to students who have studied abroad, ask about their experiences, and research the universities and cities where you’re considering living. Reflect on what matters to you, such as the distance from home, the language spoken, and the classes offered. Be curious, proactive, and open-minded in your research process!

In the 2023-24 academic year, BA Anthropology and Law student, Jacob completed his year abroad at the University of Tokyo. Here he talks about his experience:

What made you decide to study abroad?        
There were two main reasons for deciding to study abroad. Firstly, I’m a huge advocate for tasting, experiencing, and seeing, all you can with the limited time we have on earth. It seemed like the year abroad programme offered the best, cheapest and most accessible opportunity to live somewhere I would otherwise have a difficult time logistically living. Frankly it seemed like too much of an opportunity to pass up! The second reason is a little more blunt – I simply didn’t feel ready to graduate next year (I was in second year at this point.) University had flown by, and the idea of going out into the career world so soon seemed daunting – I still had much to see, learn and much to develop.

Can you share a memorable experience or adventure you had during your time abroad?
Some of my best memories are actually those where I adventured outside of the city I was based. Living in Tokyo, you had access to a whole new world. My travels across Japan from the sandy beaches of Okinawa to the zen temples in Kyoto were amazing, and my travels out of Japan – trips that would have been triple the price if I was going from the UK – like the two weeks I spent travelling Vietnam with friends, were another highlight. 

How did studying abroad impact your academic and personal growth?
Academically, things were a little different. Whilst LSE studies offer me the chance to deep dive my chosen field, in Tokyo the academics sacrificed that depth for scope and variety. It gave me chance to study things I usually would never, from architecture and philosophy, to art movements and video games. In terms of personal growth, I got hugely stuck in abroad to new extra curriculars – I dabbled in meditation and got hugely into hiking, and took up martial arts like Kendo. 

What advice would you give to someone considering studying abroad?
My only big advice would be in regards to choosing your year abroad location – go somewhere most different to your ‘usual.’ I was deciding for a while between Australia and Japan. Melbourne was the easy option – no language barrier, cultural similarities to the UK, and overall I had more knowledge about life over there. Tokyo on the other hand, was the unknown. And I eventually went for it because I realised that the point of a year abroad is to embrace the new, the different, the stuff beyond your norm. I believe in these less comfy options, we find the most growth. To anyone struggling on whether to take that risk, to choose the scarier option - embrace the discomfort! It’ll be worth it!

In the 2023-24 academic year, BSc Social Anthropology student, Jessica completed his year abroad at the University of Tokyo. Here he talks about his experience:

What made you decide to study abroad?        
Before even applying to university, I knew that I wanted to study abroad. I'm from a small town in the middle of nowhere, but knew that there was so much out there that I was missing out on — a feeling I believe is a little difficult to understand if you grew up in a big city or with the ability to go abroad often. Studying abroad to me was an opportunity to really see another culture for myself and be able to expand my world view in a way unlike any other trip or journey. I also wanted to experience what it was like to move abroad somewhere by myself, having never left the country without my parents before except for a couple of days. I wanted to learn how to truly be independent. 

Can you share a memorable experience or adventure you had during your time abroad?
One of my favourite memories being abroad was the interactions I had with Japanese people as I learned more and more Japanese throughout the year and was able to communicate more as my confidence grew. I met some amazing people both at university and throughout Tokyo, who either became friends or just a friendly face I had a nice chat with. Everyone was extremely lovely. My other favourite set of memories was any time I was able to meet a friend from home, either through them visiting me and me being able to show them around Japan, or through my being able to travel to other countries nearby that I otherwise wouldn't have had the money or time to visit (a friend of mine had recently moved to Thailand!)

How did studying abroad impact your academic and personal growth?
Studying abroad reminded me how much I love learning. I was able to study an array of subjects (big up the anthropology department) that were all incredibly interesting and different from anything I'd ever studied before. Due to this, my grades (though they don't count towards my degree) were the best they've ever been during my time at university, and the opportunity to engage with topics I found incredibly interesting reminded me how well I can perform if I put my mind to things. This energy is what I've taken with me into fourth year, and all is going really well in terms of my motivation and academic performance!

What advice would you give to someone considering studying abroad?
If you're considering studying abroad — just apply! It can be really nerve-wracking to even think about moving away for a year and not graduating with your current peers, but I would advise that you apply regardless — give yourself the option — so that you can jump that hurdle when you get to it! Studying abroad was 1000% the best decision I've ever made. I feel so much more mature and independent, with a much clearer head, having completed my time in Japan (not forever though — I will be back!)

What made you decide to study abroad? 
I wanted to experience different cultures and was always deeply interested in Indigenous Law and History, so thought it would be amazing to have the chance to learn On-Country. I also loved the idea of being able to study a range of disciplines and ended up being able to take modules in Biology, Public Health, and Physiology while studying in Melbourne.

Can you share a memorable experience or adventure you had during your time abroad?
One of my most memorable experiences was visiting Larrakia Country (Darwin) in the Northern Territory with the Indigenous Law and Justice Hub. I had the opportunity to visit Aboriginal Legal Organizations, participate in the NAIDOC Day March (celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Culture), and go to the Supreme Court. 

How did studying abroad impact your academic and personal growth?
Studying abroad significantly expanded my understanding of the ongoing impact of Settler Colonialism, of First-Nations’ People connection to Land, and how systems of power operate. It also gave me the incredible opportunity to meet inspiring figures like Judge Joe Williams, New Zealand’s first Māori Supreme Judge, and study under Jaynaya Dwyer and Dr Eddie Cubillo, the former Anti-Discrimination Commissioner of the Northern Territory. I traveled to places like Fiji and Sydney, broadening my perspectives even further. The connections I made have left such an impact on me that I’m planning to return to work in Australia and Aotearoa (New Zealand) post-graduation.

What advice would you give to someone considering studying abroad?
I would say, definitely go for it! Studying abroad was the best experience of my life, and it was so cost-effective compared to completing an entire degree overseas. The people you meet will profoundly shape your perspective, and you’ll gain an understanding of global issues that go far beyond your own society.