During my time in London for SPC’s study abroad psychology program, I was submerged into the different avenues I could take my psychology career, and I was also invited to experience a different culture. I think the two experiences that changed and opened my perspective the most was the Art Therapy Workshop and visiting the British Museum.

The Art Therapy Workshop was informative and challenged me to honestly consider the realities of practicing psychology clinically. During the Art Therapy Workshop, we were given the opportunity to walk through various rooms that were set up for therapy sessions. Then we participated as clients in a group session of art therapy that pushed us to be vulnerable, which is an integral part of the process to become a clinical psychologist. After that experience, I became more aware of what my future might consist of in a graduate program of clinical psychology; additionally, I came to the realization that I should not stop considering other paths in psychology for my career. I should always be open to other options.

The British Museum was historically rich and vibrant with information about a plethora of ancient civilizations that we read about in textbooks and watch movies about and there they are; their mummified bodies, the amazing architecture they built, the Rosetta Stone, and ancient clothing, all in plain sight in front of me. Being able to go to the British Museum was the most inspiring experience. However, my favorite part of the trip was finding a book on a psychoanalytic analysis of our engagement with climate change at the Freud Museum. The book joins together the two disciplines I’m deeply interested and passionate about: psychology and environmental science. So far I have not been able to find a book that interconnects the two but while in London I did. I’ll never forget my enlightening academic experience of the SPC Study Abroad Psychology Program.