More Than a Trip: What Studying Abroad Taught Me About the U.K.

Taking two classes while abroad, while doing an independent study, sounded simple enough, but boy, was I in over my head. Still, I wouldn’t have changed anything. The insight I gained from this experience was incredible and will help me in whatever career path I decide to pursue, especially on a global scale. So, I wanted to share some of the information I have learned, because I believe everyone should be able to discover something new, especially something as cool as this.

Class One: British Icons

Britain has countless cultural icons that help promote the country internationally; for example, Harry Potter, The Beatles, and of course, the Royals. All of these icons work together to create an interest in tourism and boost the local economy. I had a whole section of class solely for discussing the impact Harry Potter had on the country. Walking through London, I was amazed by all the Harry Potter-themed shops and attractions. The U.K. embraces these icons, using them to reinforce a recognizable global image for visitors. My class also discussed how Paddington, a very cute little bear, gave audiences around the world a look into British life; you can also find Paddington merchandise all over London for fans to buy. The U.K. has a long history of influential icons ranging from literary characters and authors to rock and roll legends. From an advertising and PR standpoint, using these icons is a great way to reach potential tourists and consumers positively.

Class Two: Culture/Politics/Landmarks

Palace of Westminster and Elizabeth Tower

One of my favorite and most influential learning experiences came from studying the U.K.’s culture, politics, and landmarks. The U.K. is full of heritage and historical traditions that make it stand out from other countries. Throughout the country, there is beautifully preserved architecture that gives a distinct look to the nation. The British have a very distinctive sense of humor, along with an indirect speaking style that can be seen in the way people communicate and advertise. Drinking tea, going to the pub, and watching football are all traditional norms that create unity among the Brits.

The U.K. political section was the most intriguing to me, because I am very interested in how the government operates on a global scale. In the U.K., democratic power rests with the people, much like America, and Parliament officials are elected by citizens to represent them in the House of Commons. What's interesting, though, is where Parliament meets: The Palace of Westminster. In the palace, there are two rooms: the House of Commons Chamber and the House of Lords Chamber. The House of Commons Chamber is where elected Members of Parliament debate legislation, and the House of Lords Chamber is where appointed and hereditary members review proposed laws. The similarities between the U.S and U.K. systems of government definitely surprised me.

Independent Study: PR/Ads

On the advertising and public relations side of my studies, I found distinctive differences in how ads and campaigns are perceived and presented in the U.K. For example, I went to watch the new Spider-Man movie at a theatre and got there early so I could watch the previews. Instead, I found myself struggling to understand most of what was trying to be communicated, and I didn’t find the previews as entertaining as in American theatres. Now, this isn’t the U.K.’s fault for not entertaining me, but rather it showed the differences in our communication style and consumer habits. From what I’ve learned from my study, the British generally respond better to promotional material that tells a story and nudges them into a purchase. Compared to what I’m used to, this style of ads felt much slower-paced.

While learning about icons, culture, and politics, I noticed how each factor played into the image of the U.K. on the international level. The country's branding builds trust among its citizens and tourists by continuing historical traditions, giving them a sense of power, and being transparent. Many popular traditions get picked up globally by media outlets, which helps shape the opinion of many U.K. and non-U.K. residents. The country gains a lot of earned media through famous landmarks like Big Ben and icons like William Shakespeare, which are used worldwide in television, literature classes, and artworks.

Even though my experience flew by, I am so glad I was able to enjoy the many wonders of England. Through this post, I hope you learned a thing or two about the country and consider the opportunity to travel here yourself. If you ever have the chance to study abroad, it doesn’t have to be the U.K. I highly recommend you take it; you never know what you will learn!