Junior Sarah Gang returns to AHS after a semester in London

After spending the first semester of her junior year studying abroad in London, Sarah Gang has just returned to Aurora to finish the school year. She studied at TASIS, the American School of London.

“London is one of my favorite cities...I thought it would be great to live and study there,” said Gang on why she chose to spend the semester there.

Students from all over the world can apply to TASIS for a semester or a year. The school is just outside of London, where Gang lived in an apartment for the months she was in England.

TASIS offers many of the same classes as our high school, including a wide variety of AP classes, as well as the IB program which we used to have at AHS. However, the TASIS campus spreads across 46 acres, made up of an assortment of buildings, gardens and lakes, and resembles more of a college campus than a high school.

“TASIS has much more diversity in the student body...students are always coming and going, which makes the school have a very dynamic environment,” said Gang. There are around 56 different nationalities represented at the school.

With the endless cycle of students coming and going, it brings a more welcoming environment for the new students. Virtually all the teenagers going there are new, which allows for more easy social interaction and a better community experience.

“It was fun to meet so many new people from such different backgrounds,” said Gang.

The London atmosphere adds to the experience of TASIS as well. Gang said, “I do think London has more available opportunities than the US. London has an expansive history, and there are so many museums and monuments to visit...there is always something happening and somewhere interesting to explore. Being able to walk down the street to Piccadilly Circus, Harrods, or Buckingham Palace is certainly a cool idea.”

After living in London for an extended period of time, Gang said, “Coming back to AHS has certainly been an adjustment. I got used to the fast pace of life in London, and I miss being able to walk out my front door and be immersed in the city...I was ready to come home though and I’m sure I’ll go back to visit soon.”

Most students can apply to study at a TASIS school, with locations in Switzerland and Puerto Rico as well as England. The application process is fairly easy and the schools offer a fantastic international experience for all high school students.