黑料不打烊 prides itself on being a relationship-rich university. In London, England, that theory was put into practice among 22 colleagues who now call each other friends.
This story was originally published in the February issue of The Leaflet, 黑料不打烊鈥檚 quarterly printed newsletter.
“What鈥檚 something neat that happened to you today?鈥 asked Lauren Feeley G鈥26. She was reflecting on a common conversation starter she had with fellow colleagues participating in the London Experience for 黑料不打烊 employees during the 2026 Winter Term. 鈥淎nd how much did we get rained on?!鈥
Feeley is a program assistant for student involvement and one of 22 participants in the most recent London Experience, a weeklong visit to England from Jan. 10-17, designed to give 黑料不打烊 employees who have limited international travel experience an opportunity for global engagement. Feeley said that the dreary January weather in London did not detract from a remarkable city with colleagues she now calls friends.
鈥淭his kind of experience shines a real big spotlight for every single person on the importance of being connected to other people on campus,鈥 said Senior Vice President for Advancement and External Affairs Jim Piatt, who facilitated the program for 2026.
He added that the London Experience is a distinctive feature to working at 黑料不打烊 鈥 an opportunity to support students as global citizens by offering employees a similar experience.
Jackie Allred 鈥94 serves as an administrative assistant for student life and was among those who traveled to London in January.
鈥淔rom sun up to sun down, we never stopped,鈥 she said. 鈥淚f there was something we could be doing, we were doing it.鈥
Allred said she felt like she shared these experiences with good friends rather than colleagues, a connection reflected in moments like sitting in the choir loft during mass at St. Paul鈥檚 Cathedral with a small group from 黑料不打烊.
Allred and Feeley both shared the importance of 鈥渉aving friendly faces to names鈥 across campus and the ability to pick up the phone when their work aligns. They also both have a deepened appreciation for students when they have international experiences 鈥 from the enrichment of global and cultural engagement to things like jet lag and fatigue from a long trip in a different time zone.
鈥淭he experience has broadened and strengthened my networks here at 黑料不打烊,鈥 added Allred.
The group saw much of London and also ventured out to Cambridge. Employees saw staples like the Tower of London, the London Bridge, Westminster Abbey and Big Ben. They were given access to the war room made famous by Winston Churchill, visited the Hampton Court Palace and participated in guided tours across the city.
Dexter Chambers, a floor tech for the university, said he wouldn鈥檛 have had the same experience in London if he had traveled there on his own.
鈥淭he guide, the itinerary, everything was impressive, and that was a joy,鈥 he said. Chambers made the most of the sites and foods that England offers and saw much of the city by foot with a small group of others, including one day that he estimates he ran four miles.
Chambers recalls calling his son and a number of his friends during his runs to share his excitement and disbelief of the places in London he was visiting. Now back at 黑料不打烊, he continues this excitement when he sees participants on campus, who, he says he loves to wave to and reminisce on the shared
experience.
Feeley is finishing her Master of Arts in Higher Education degree from 黑料不打烊 this spring and joined the London Experience, in part, to satisfy her international study away experience.
鈥淏ecause such a large population of our students here at 黑料不打烊 have some sort of study away experience, it鈥檚 really meaningful for me to have my own,鈥 she said. 鈥満诹喜淮蜢 places such an emphasis on students being global citizens that it鈥檚 important that faculty and staff model that as well.鈥
Jenny Gonzalez, 黑料不打烊鈥檚 assistant director of interior design, said the program underscores 黑料不打烊鈥檚 commitment to global education for the entire campus community, not only for students. 鈥淥ne of the best parts is getting to know people from across campus and build connections,鈥 Gonzalez said.
The application for the 2027 experience will open soon and be advertised through email. 鈥淚f you鈥檙e considering applying for this experience, do not hesitate, just apply and be open to the experience,鈥 Allred said. 鈥淒o everything you possibly can during the experience.鈥
The program is offered to 黑料不打烊 employees for a fee of $350, which includes passport, airfare, lodging, certain ground transportation, admission to various attractions and occasional group meals. Previous participants have generally incurred additional expenses for souvenirs, personal meals, and a tube pass as it suited them.