Kaitlyn Wisdorf ’26

Program: United Kingdom: Children’s Literature Spring Embedded

Major: Elementary Education

Minor: Art

Why did you choose to study abroad and how did you decide on this program?

I chose to study abroad because I wanted to gain new experiences in a different part of the world. I decided on the Children’s Literature in the U.K. embedded study abroad program. I am an Elementary Education major, so I knew that learning about children’s literature in another country would help me gain more knowledge as a future educator. Children’s books have always really interested me. When I found out that we would get to meet authors and illustrators, I knew this was the program for me. I also loved how it was a two-week study abroad experience instead of a whole semester. It is a good length for people who do not want to be gone for a semester but want a study abroad experience.

Briefly describe a specific cultural experience you had on your program that made a lasting impression.

A cultural experience I had in London was the form of transportation. We took the tube, the train, and the bus to get to our destinations every day. We had to learn how to read maps and figure out what the fastest way to get places was. This made a long-lasting effect on me because I never made the realization until this experience that every country has different ways of operating including transportation. It was a unifying experience since almost every person in London took public transportation. Everyone experiences new faces everyday which is way different than no interaction by driving in our own cars in the United States. This really exposed me to how transportation can mold a culture.

Based on your experiences abroad, what are some of the benefits of spending a semester abroad? How has studying abroad contributed to your personal, academic, and professional development?

Benefits of spending a short term abroad are learning a new culture, meeting new people, and learning new skills. Studying abroad contributed to my personal development by helping me become more independent when traveling and aware of my surroundings and the culture in the different areas we traveled. I also gained many social skills from talking with locals in both school scheduled activities and when commuting around the city. Studying abroad contributed to my academic development by helping me see how children’s books in the U.K. compare and contrast to children’s books in the U.S. It also contributed to my professional development as we met with authors, illustrators, a publisher, the college we worked with, and staff at museums and other formal locations.

What advice can you offer for CSB+SJU students who are considering or planning to study abroad?

My advice for CSB and SJU students considering or planning on studying abroad is to go into the experience with an open mind. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so take advantage of all the opportunities given to you.