GIL Students on Coursework and Internships
Grinnell-in-London was, by far, the best semester I had while at Grinnell. I had considered doing other programs before ultimately settling on Grinnell-in-London, and the reason I chose this program was not because it was cheap or easy or even because my friends were doing it (all of which were nice extras) but because out of the dozens of programs I considered, it was the most focused on the experience of studying abroad. Other programs I considered had a broader selection of classes or were in more “exotic” locations, but Grinnell-in-London was the only program I looked at that cared just as much about your experience out of the classroom as in it. Classes were only held four days a week for the first portion of the program to encourage students to travel around the UK and Europe. Professors planned excursions and field trips in their own classes, and just generally encouraged students to travel and to have experiences beyond the classroom. The program was about more than just academics; it was about learning how to try new things and to just generally be a more open minded and courageous person.
-Class of 2001
I can’t imagine doing study abroad without that Grinnell touch. One of the things I loved most about GIL was that I got to take classes with other Grinnell students and Grinnell faculty. I didn’t feel like I was taking “filler” classes that were an inconvenience to my traveling. Quite the opposite! All of my classes were genuinely interesting, the other students were actively engaged, and professors always took opportunities for field trips. Taking classes in Grinnell, IA doesn’t always give you a lot of perspective on how physical places can influence literature/history/politics/whatever it is you’re studying. Being in a foreign place really woke up my attention to the physicality of culture. In my Museum Studies class, for example, I learned how to look critically at cultural institutions while still enjoying them as a tourist.
-Class of 2010
Professors were kind and encouraging and really invested in helping you learn and grow as a person.
-Class of 2001
So many of my peers reported that their classes at study-abroad programs were secondary. My coursework in London was an integral and rich part of my experience. I felt myself flourish academically in a way I hadn’t experienced before. My writing and thinking matured as our classes blended into our lives and travels.
-Class of 1998
There was something about hiking across a moor that brought whole new level of understanding to large swaths of British literature; something about the feeling of a cobblestone street underfoot that deepened my sense of history and place; and something about executing mundane activities in a foreign land—getting a haircut, buying an avocado, paying the landlady—that taught me how big, and small, and extraordinary the world really is.
-Class of 1998
The academic program offered by Grinnell-in-London was firmly place-based and took full advantage of our location and the resources it offered. From walking tours for a class on the history of London to visiting Reuters headquarters for a class on globalization to a trip to Ireland for Modern Irish Literature, my classes allowed me to dive into and fully appreciate where I was.
-Class of 2010
My Grinnell-In-London internship experience played a large part in what started me out on my present professional trajectory. When I applied for the program, I was a Psychology major struggling to find my niche in the field; psychology was fascinating, but had not ignited passion in me. The GIL internship experience allowed me to identify the things that really made me tick--things that I did not find within the academic confines of the College--and provided me with an opportunity tailor-made to suit my heart's curiosities while challenging me to grow as a person and professional.
-Class of 2008
The semester I spent with the Grinnell-in-London program was without a doubt one of the best semesters of my four years at Grinnell. I stepped away from the program having experienced unparalleled opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom. Grinnell teaches you a world class education, but London gives you a world class city with which to experience it even further. I enjoyed the small class sizes, field trips throughout the city and country, weekly theatre performances, and being taught by excellent professors.
-Class of 2011
My internship at the House of Commons was the perfect introduction to my future career as a lawyer - before I even realized I'd walk down this path. In courses and real-life experience, I didn't just learn about the legal system, I actually interacted with it, and took part in its ongoing evolution.
-Class of 1998
I saw Richard II at the Globe, ogled giant ravens at the Tower of London, hiked the English countryside, explored the ruins of a Roman bathhouse, watched swans squabble upon Avon, rambled about the Stourhead Gardens...all just while I was on GIL field trips! The program is really committed to bringing classes to life with experiences unique to London and its environs.
-Class of 2005
