Learning in London
Ohio Wesleyan Student Expands Worldview During Semester in United Kingdom
Name: Dani Phillip '25
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
High School: Xaverian High School
Majors: Communication, Film Studies, and English with a Creative Writing Concentration
OWU Connection Experience: Spending spring semester studying in London, England, through the American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS) program
A Bridge to London
"I've always wanted to study abroad – even before coming to OWU. I chose London because its program had all the classes I needed for my majors so I could still graduate on time. …
"To me, it's important to see as much of the world and to get to know as many different kinds of people as possible so you can expand your perspective and worldview."
To me, it's important to see as much of the world and to get to know as many different kinds of people as possible so you can expand your perspective and worldview.
Lessons Learned
"For my intercultural communication class, we toured different areas of London such as Brick Lane to learn about the city's different cultures and their histories. For my fashion marketing class, I did a project on English vs. American fashion brands in which I learned about fashion influences within these countries.
"I learned how to communicate with people from different backgrounds, which is always a useful skill no matter what field you work in."
My Favorite Moment
"My favorite moment of the experience was being able to travel to different countries. The train made traveling outside the UK very convenient, so I visited places such as Edinburgh, Scotland; Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Brussels, Belgium; and Paris, France!"
My Home Away
"My 'home' while away was anywhere with food, honestly, whether that be Camden or Borough Market, or a restaurant on High Street Kensington. London is a very diverse, multicultural city with cuisine from various cultures so I had a lot of options. While I enjoyed eating traditional English food such as fish and chips, I especially loved exploring all the Korean, Indian, and Bengali restaurants. In addition to food, I enjoyed exploring the theater scene. I saw eight musicals and plays including 'Phantom of the Opera' and 'Hamilton'!"
My Campus Involvements
"The Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, The Transcript (student newspaper), Sisters United, and Roller Skating Club."
Why I Chose Ohio Wesleyan?
"I chose to attend Ohio Wesleyan because I like the small class sizes that give each student the specialized attention needed to succeed after college."
My Plans After Graduation
"My plans after graduation are either to work in the film, business, or marketing industry. OWU has helped prepare me to reach these goals because of its great professors like Dr. (Eva) Paris-Huesca. She has been a huge help throughout my academic career!" (Paris-Huesca, Ph.D., is an associate professor of Spanish and director of the Film Studies Program.)