Powering the Experience: Two Generations of Study Abroad in London
Nysa Phulwar ’26 is a student writer for the Knox College Office of Communications. Originally from Mumbai, India, she participated in a study abroad program, living, exploring, and studying in London, England, in the fall of 2025. Here are her experiences, tips, and some of the memories she shared with Vice President for Communications Megan Scott ’96, who also studied in London during her time at Knox.
Megan and I both studied abroad in London during the fall of our junior and senior years, respectively, at Knox College. The only difference was that it was 30 years apart.
As I began chatting with Megan about her experiences, I realized they were remarkably similar to mine, albeit very different at the same time.
One thing, however, is true for both of us—we both fell in love with the city we called home at the end of the program. Megan first visited England and Scotland when her dad was in the Air Force and her family moved to Iceland. As an avid reader of British literature, her first visit to London was a revelation—the life she had known only through books came alive. She knew she had to go back.
For me, my motivations for studying in London were a little different. When I decided to go to college abroad, I had to choose between the U.K. and the U.S. At the time, Knox was the best option for me because of its liberal-arts focused degree and small class sizes, where I could truly immerse myself in the community. However, the itch to go to London always lingered. When I learned I could study abroad in London through the Stellyes Center for Global Studies, I was hooked. Working with the administrative assistant of the center and Power of Experience coordinator Lindsey Rogers, who helped me choose the Foundation for International Education London Study Abroad + Internship program, meant I had the support I needed to ensure my application met the required standards. Connecting me with the right people and guiding the process not only helped me secure the right internship for my business major with a self-design marketing focus area, but also the Sharif Rahman Diversity and Equity Scholarship, which funded $3000 of the immersive experience. I was also able to use my Power of Experience Grant, an additional $2000, to support my time abroad.
Megan’s experience, powered by the Institute for European Studies, focused on classes in British history, literature, film, and playwriting. Enjoying plays in the West End and the National Theatre, Megan was immersed in London’s rich history and diverse culture. I, on the other hand, was occupied with the bustling streets of Shoreditch in the business and tech centers of the city. Taking marketing-based classes in South Kensington, including Creative Thinking for Advertisement and Brand Strategy, I experienced British culture through the world of business. Offering several field trips to museums, theatres and more, the classes I took were academically invigorating and exciting. My internship at Strange Thoughts and Arcade Strange not only provided me with the experience of working in a quintessentially British office, but also one that exposed me to the ins and outs of the marketing sector in the U.K. While Megan and I had our own set of unique educational experiences, one thing stayed the same— we didn’t only learn from the confines of our classrooms. Rather, our biggest teacher was the metropolitan city itself.
From learning how to navigate the Tube to making sure groceries were stocked, Megan and I both learned the art of resilience. Continuing to push through, especially when faced with challenges, made us stronger. For Megan, that was working in computer labs with limited hours and faxing documents to the U.S., where I had to remind myself that I would never be 20 years old in London ever again, and that I had to make the most of the experience when I could. Being in London was not about being loud and having the Emily in Paris moments. Rather, it was about getting lost and finding ourselves along the way.
Megan and I both had our takeaways from the experience. She realized that while she loved the city, she wanted to be in a place more like home. Like Galesburg. I was the opposite. Growing up in Mumbai, India, I have always loved the buzz of a city. The constant movement and chatter energize me. London was a burst of that refreshing energy, reminding me of where I wanted to be after I graduated.
Megan and I both agreed that London was a life-changing experience, and I think I have grown in the past four months. Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, I have realized, is the best thing you can do for yourself. To anyone reading this, I encourage you to do the same. To take that extra step, to be courageous and venture boldly.
Published on May 29, 2026
– Nysa Phulwar ’26, Knox College Office of Communications