Ƶ 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, Ƶ’s quarterly printed newsletter.
“What’s something neat that happened to you today?” asked Lauren Feeley G’26. She was reflecting on a common conversation starter she had with fellow colleagues participating in the London Experience for Ƶ employees during the 2026 Winter Term. “And how much did we get rained on?!”
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 Ƶ 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.
“This kind of experience shines a real big spotlight for every single person on the importance of being connected to other people on campus,” 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 Ƶ — an opportunity to support students as global citizens by offering employees a similar experience.
Jackie Allred ’94 serves as an administrative assistant for student life and was among those who traveled to London in January.
“From sun up to sun down, we never stopped,” she said. “If there was something we could be doing, we were doing it.”
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’s Cathedral with a small group from Ƶ.
Allred and Feeley both shared the importance of “having friendly faces to names” 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 — from the enrichment of global and cultural engagement to things like jet lag and fatigue from a long trip in a different time zone.
“The experience has broadened and strengthened my networks here at Ƶ,” 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’t have had the same experience in London if he had traveled there on his own.
“The guide, the itinerary, everything was impressive, and that was a joy,” 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 Ƶ, 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 Ƶ this spring and joined the London Experience, in part, to satisfy her international study away experience.
“Because such a large population of our students here at Ƶ have some sort of study away experience, it’s really meaningful for me to have my own,” she said. “Ƶ places such an emphasis on students being global citizens that it’s important that faculty and staff model that as well.”
Jenny Gonzalez, Ƶ’s assistant director of interior design, said the program underscores Ƶ’s commitment to global education for the entire campus community, not only for students. “One of the best parts is getting to know people from across campus and build connections,” Gonzalez said.
The application for the 2027 experience will open soon and be advertised through email. “If you’re considering applying for this experience, do not hesitate, just apply and be open to the experience,” Allred said. “Do everything you possibly can during the experience.”
The program is offered to Ƶ 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.