For Sumaya Mohamed, a fifth-year fashion and retail studies major at Ohio State, three months in London offered more than international experience—it offered clarity, confidence and a renewed sense of purpose. She spent the semester studying through AIFS Abroad in London, using the fashion capital as a backdrop for personal and academic growth.
“I wanted to study abroad to get a better understanding of myself and to gain more experience through my interest internationally,” she said.
London—and travel throughout Europe—delivered exactly that.
“The experience was so memorable because I was able to discover so many things I loved, made new friends, traveled, filmed and had hometown friends visit me. The architecture in England and many other countries in Europe was fascinating. I found every moment of my time memorable.”
For her, going abroad was about more than travel.
“It was important for me to go abroad not only for a change in life but also to see myself grow in the span of three months,” she explained, “I wanted this to be a solo journey of my discovery in my early 20s.”
Coming from the Midwest, she said she had always dreamed of living in a fashion city, and London also helped her learn what she was capable of.
“I have learned that with hard work and dedication your dreams can come true,” she said, “I have grown more on my own with independence… I found this a life-changing moment of adaptability, language barrier while traveling and different cultures.”
She embraced every new challenge.
“I learned to always say yes to any opportunities that came my way because I was there for a short time but wanted to check off my bucket list.”
However, not everything was easy at first.
“A challenge I overcame abroad was the transportation and breaking out of my shell to meet new people,” she said. But over time, she found her footing. “We all grew fondness over the same things and made us click well. I learned the transportation system quickly, so that was helpful for traveling around and exploring the city!”
The academic impact was just as meaningful. One course in particular confirmed her career interests.
“This experience shaped my academic and career plans because I was able to take a Museum/Galleries course through AIFS and learn more about the historic fashion world,” she explained, “It’s part of my dream career to be a fashion historian. I loved being able to fully immerse myself with the course and make connections with my teachers.”
For Mohamed, London wasn’t just a study abroad—it was the beginning of seeing her future more clearly and believing she can build it.
