UK to US Exchange- A Year in Ashland

By: Meredith Gray

Kate Pettitt has spent the 2025-2026 academic year at Randolph-Macon on exchange through the ISEP program from The University of Sussex in Sussex, UK. She studies law with a specialty in American Studies, making a year abroad in the US compulsory.

Enjoying a snow day on campus

The political science courses Kate has taken at RMC will be crucial for her American studies both through academics and cultural immersion. One course that stood out in particular was Constitutional Law with Dr. Lauren Bell. Kate really enjoyed the rigor of the class and said, “It kind of pushed me to read a lot because we had to do like two case briefs [summary of a federal court case] a week.” Kate is also interested in working in civil service or diplomatic services with her degree and expressed how thankful she is to have made so many connections, especially with Dr. Bell. 

Kate reminisced about how much she has been able to experience while abroad. During her J-term break, Kate went to New York City and Washington DC with friends from RMC. When reflecting on visiting NYC, Kate recounted, “I was not sure I was going to like it, but I really liked it, and we went to two Broadway shows which were amazing”. 

Additionally, she has gotten to try many different foods during her year abroad. She has particularly enjoyed Mexican and Thai food more so than classic American cuisine. Overall, as Kate wraps up her academic year at RMC, she has advice for other international students- “Do not feel like you have to do everything, just being here is an accomplishment,” said Kate.