We have welcomed four new Peer Advisors to the Global Mobility Office for 2024/25! The Peer Advisors are here to help you, whether you’re an incoming student studying with us at King’s for a semester or a year, or a King’s student thinking about or planning on going abroad as part of your degree!
You can make an appointment with Sarah during her Semester 1 office hours on Mondays from 2pm-4pm.
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Hello! I am Sarah, a 3rd year studying Classical Studies with English. I am very excited to be one of your Peer Advisors this year. I am originally from Egypt but have lived in England since I was 14. I did a semester abroad in Berkeley last year which was very different and exciting!
London itself was a new environment for me as I had only visited it a couple of times before starting university at KCL. I eventually fell in love with all that the city has to offer. As a humanities student, I think London is one of the most culturally rich cities in the world. From museums like the Tate and the National Gallery to institutions like Shakespeare’s Globe, I never run out of ways to explore my interests and expand on my studies in the city. London also offers lots of activities to do outside of academics; there are many cafes and restaurants to try (for example I have gained a love for Japanese cuisine which led to me planning a trip there next year!), as well as fun events happening year-round like Winter Wonderland or music festivals.
London has excellent transport links too, allowing you to go anywhere in London and throughout the UK. London has multiple international airports and trains to mainland Europe as well, which I definitely recommend exploring and making use of while here. Just this summer for example I have had the opportunity to visit Spain, Italy, and Poland, all a short flight away from London’s international airports which are easily accessible from central London. I truly believe there is nowhere better to be as a university student and I am always happy, alongside my team, to offer suggestions for activities to do in London.
Some highlights from Berkeley: Doe Library, the Campanile, and Oski, the school mascot, at a basketball game.
Having studied abroad myself, I think it is an opportunity everyone can benefit from doing as part of their degree. My time in Berkeley was academically rewarding and extremely fun! I have always thought of studying in the US after I finish my undergraduate degree in the UK, and studying abroad there for a semester helped me understand the culture there and what it would be like to live there long-term. I have made some amazing friends, some of whom I have already met again in the UK as they did their own travelling (and studying abroad!) here over the summer.
However, I do understand how difficult it can be to study abroad and what kind of challenges are often faced by students. I myself struggled with the time difference, especially in my first few weeks in the US when I was homesick and all my friends and family would be asleep halfway through the day for me. The workload was also more intense than at King’s, which took some time to get used to. As with everything, it does get easier; you form strategies to help deal with those challenges and, most importantly, you create a new support system of incredible friends while abroad that help you get through those troubles and enjoy your time there. I, as well as the other advisors, have experienced both the highs and the lows of study abroad, and we would be delighted to help you make the most of the programme. I cannot recommend studying abroad enough, and I will try my best as your advisor to help you get there and have a worthwhile experience!
