As a student studying political science, it is imperative to understand multiple perspectives and the impact their culture has on those beliefs. For most of my life, I’ve only had the opportunity to  study those ideas in a United States context. Thankfully, I now have a deeper and more nuanced grasp of these multi-faceted topics. Being able to take part in a program that felt so hands-on made learning feel incredibly rewarding. We were given ample free time, and a lot of our learning was supplemented by activities both in and around the city. A part of the program that stood out to me was the focus of the organizers on hands-on learning about different societies as opposed to just a classroom.

I come from a family that doesn’t have much money to throw around, so I was ecstatic when I heard I would receive such a lucrative scholarship. Studying abroad was one of the many goals I set for myself when I first came to Michigan State University. The academic benefits of studying in London were obvious and helped me better understand my major both intellectually and practically, an extreme and vital concept that is often too complicated to be taught in a classroom.

For many students, studying abroad has little impact on their actual area of study. However, for us who have an academic pursuit in the social sciences, understanding not only the society in front of us, but also the societies and the people who reside in them abroad can help deepen our knowledge and curiosity, and ultimately make us not only better scientists and students but also better people. Doing things like meeting and campaigning with Members of Parliament, touring Oxford, and meeting and living with so many incredible people was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I would not have been able to do without the generous donations that helped me make it there.

Name: Nick McKean
Status: Junior
Majors: Political Science and Economics
Hometown: Buchanan, Michigan
Program: British Politics and Society