Finn Verdonk ’26

In the spring semester of my junior year at Swarthmore, I had the opportunity to study abroad at the University of Roehampton in London. On top of diving into my classes in a new academic setting and exploring a new city, I wanted to make sure that I used my semester abroad to learn more about the country of England itself. Thanks to the Intercultural Enrichment Stipend from the Global Engagement Office, I was able to participate a series of impactful excursions around London and the UK.

The Social Programme at Roehampton

The study abroad office at Roehampton offers an optional “Social Programme,” which exposes students to important sites around London and the wider UK, through five selected excursions led by a knowledgable guide. 

My semester, these cultural activities included a Thames river cruise and tour of Greenwich, a trip to Oxford by rail, a tour of Brighton, and a weekend trip to York and Fountains Abbey. Those experiences brought me closer to friends and to the history of the places I visited. 

Developing Meaningful Connections

Participating in Roehampton’s Social Programme was a great way to make connections with my fellow study abroad students. Studying abroad can be an incredibly overwhelming and even isolating experience. Taking organized trips with people who would soon become my very close friends helped to alleviate some of that stress.

The river cruise (our first excursion) was scheduled during the first weekend of the term, when many of us were still getting to know each other. We waited on the pier for our boat to pick us up, right underneath the iconic silhouette of the London Eye. I began to chat with the people around me, making new friendships and solidifying those that were already developing. And these social connections continued to build over the course of the semester.

Our trip to Brighton was scheduled for the last weekend of a half-term break in classes. Many in the group were taking advantage of the time-off to travel to other places. The attendance was down from nearly 40 on the river cruise to eight on the coach to Brighton. Although I didn’t have any friends on the day trip, I spotted a student who I’d never interacted with outside of large group gatherings, but who shared a mutual friend. We decided to spend the day together. We explored Brighton’s twittens (narrow alleyways between buildings), antique and vintage markets, beaches, and iconic pier. Over the course of those seven or so hours, we had a wonderful time in Brighton, and quickly became good friends.

Lessons in Culture and History

On top of the social connections I made on these trips, I found immense value in the cultural and historical education offered by our trained guides and the sites themselves. From learning about the traditional careers of Thames watermen to the stories of some of the oldest buildings in Oxford to the stunning architecture of Brighton’s Royal Pavilion or York’s Minster, I have been able to experience some of the most beautiful and fascinating pieces of England’s history.

One of the stand-out moments for me was the second day of the York overnight, where we were able to visit Fountains Abbey, a ruined Cistercian monastery in central Yorkshire. As our tour guides explained to us, it was built by exiled monks in the 1100s, seeking an even more devout and peaceful life. Though now derelict and partially looted and destroyed, the ruins were still awe-inspiring. While I am not a religious person, seeing such a grand building and hearing about the monks who built it (entirely by hand!) made me reflect on my own beliefs and the power of belief itself. The same was true of York Minster, and the spectacularly decorated interiors. Spending time in these religious spaces and honoring their history helped me connect with my own ideas of the sacred. 

Reflecting on Where You Are and Who You Are

Over the course of my time abroad, I found these trips to be greatly enriching. Without these pre-organized experiences, I’m not sure I would have thought to (or been able to) visit the same sites with the same depth. These tours helped me understand the history of the country, but they also helped me understand some new pieces of myself.