While I was there, the UK parliament was hosting elections, which only intensified the city and our curriculum as we got to participate in canvassing with some of the politicians to really get the full scope of the political field taking place.
During the month of June 2024, I had the opportunity to study abroad in London and other various parts of England and the UK. It’s safe to say that the program surprised me and had a huge impact on the way I navigate the world. I got to witness first-hand the way of life and the workings of their government and politics as I got to participate in the processes of it all. From the moment I arrived in London, the culture shock was unreal. The city is huge with around 8 million people working, vacationing, and such, it’s easy for the days to feel quick and packed. I will say it’s here I felt behind compared to some of my classmates as a lot of them have traveled before and knew the ins and outs of navigating a foreign country. However, I understood that learning and becoming confident with a new atmosphere was the reason I was there in the first place.
I quickly fell in love with the coffee shops on every corner and the quickness of everyday life. While I was there, the UK parliament was hosting elections, which only intensified the city and our curriculum as we got to participate in canvassing with some of the politicians to really get the full scope of the political field taking place. Here we saw the closeness of the UK and the pride the citizens hold for their country. I got to meet some interesting people and understand the culture in depth.
A lot of my experiences would not be possible without the help of the 1st-generation organization I am a part of. Coming from a low-income background, going abroad and traveling has never been on the horizon for me. Though once I started at MSU and joined First Generation Leadership and Innovation otherwise known as FLI, they eagerly pursued multiple different opportunities for me. At first, I expressed doubts about studying abroad because I never thought I would be able to attend a higher university due to cost, but my advisors reassured me of how important they thought going abroad was for me and my education. It's due to not only their contributions but also the contributions of the MSUFCU that made this experience possible. My perspective on my education will not be the only thing that has changed, but my perspective on different cultures and the paths that I am able to take.
Name: Jacob Doss
Status: Junior
Major: Sociology
Hometown: Alanson, Michigan
Program: British Politics and Society
