Every year, the CEID masters cohort at Moray House travels to London to visit several organizations working in the comparative education and international development field. This year, the cohort visited the British Council offices, conversed with students and faculty at University College London, and heard from advocacy organizers at the Inter-parliamentary Network on Education and Results UK. Read on to hear from some of our CEID class of ‘25 students about their experiences from the trip! (Below: CEID class of ’25 visiting the education and international development faculty and students UCL)
Hallie Johnson: London was great fun! I was lucky to go a few days early to sightsee with a small group of friends from the cohort, which was ideal as there wasn’t much time for tourist-ing once we joined the full group for the organization visits. We wandered the city, visited museums, and enjoyed some incredible food in Chinatown.
After this trip, I feel that I have a much broader view of what a career in comparative education and international development could look like. A moment that helped to facilitate this discovery was our visit to University College London, where we were able to have in-depth discussions with four academics in our field (including our very own Will and Fatih!) and hear about their unique paths into academia. Each of them had a vastly different life story and career trajectory, each had different obstacles and defeats and redirections, and yet all have ended up in positions that allow them to make incredible contributions to our field. Hearing their stories and advice encouraged me and instilled in me that there is no right or wrong path in building a career in education and international development; the important thing is to take opportunities and be open to learning new things at any stage of your career.
Olivia Rosso: I went into the London trip with the mindset that the organizations we were visiting did not really apply to my specific interests within the Comparative Education and International Development field, but I was definitely proved wrong! The British Council and Results UK/ Interparliamentary Network cover a range of educational topics and issue, so I really think these organizations had insight covering our entire cohort’s interests.
As the CEID Program Representative, I also got to help plan our visit to University College London, which was an insightful experience. It was great to collaborate with student leaders from UCL completing a similar program to CEID and share ideas. The event went incredibly well, and I know that it was a highlight for many students.
Even though we were just there for less than 48 hours, I left feeling more bonded to the cohort and our instructors who attended. Doing hours and hours of karaoke and navigating the busy London underground together are memories that I truly will never forget and made this experience such a highlight of the program so far.
Zahra Prasetyo: After having spent three years during my undergraduate years in London, it was lovely to return with my new cohort in my new academic chapter! I went down the weekend before to spend some free time with friends from the cohort which was really fun. My local knowledge of the city paid off, that I was even named the ‘Dad’ of the group. 
I really looked forward to the academic aspects of the trip, especially the event organised in collaboration with UCL. It gave us an informal insight and opportunity to network with others at a similar academic stage. Whilst it was inspiring to hear different stories and journeys, it was just as inspiring to hear about similarity in struggles and stresses. However, getting to speak to individuals from The British Council and Results UK/Interparliamentary Network was encouraging to understand different future pathways.
The trip was a nice balance of academics and free time, as we sat down for a meal together at the end of the night and enjoyed karaoke! (Pictured above) Never underestimate how well your lecturers can sing and dance.
Xi Zhou: CEID London field trip was truly an unforgettable and amazing experience. I had the opportunity to visit various organizations, including the British Council, UCL, and Results UK/Interparliamentary Network. Not only did I enjoy exploring these institutions, but I also loved spending time with my CEID cohort—it really feels like a big family. We had dinner together, went to karaoke, singing with my cohort and lecturers made me sooooo happy. It brought us even closer.
Beyond the fun, this trip also broadened my perspective. I gained insights into career opportunities of CEID. For example, I learned that the British Council isn’t just about IELTS—it also runs various education programs, such as higher education and informal learning initiatives, making it a fantastic career option. Additionally, listening to teachers share their career journeys during UCL roundtable meetings was interesting and inspiring. It made me realize that life is full of possibilities and choices, it is important to stay open-minded and seize every small opportunity to develop our career.
Puxin Zhao: The trip to London was a fulfilling, interesting, and memorable experience. I had a wonderful time with our cohort and instructors. One of the organisations we visited, the British Council (BC), is well-known in China. Besides organising IELTS exams, BC frequently appears in news articles and advertisements in China Daily.
Through the visit, I learned more about BC, particularly its efforts to promote the spread of English and improve access to education. One of the staff members, Helen Etheridge, mentioned her experience teaching English in Chongqing, China. This was particularly interesting to me, as one of my favourite books, Rivertown, describes author Peter Hessler’s experiences teaching English in Fuling, Chongqing, from 1996 to 1998. After Helen’s presentation, I became more interested in learning about how English spreads to other parts of the world and how Chinese society appears through the eyes of an outsider.
The trip was also very relaxing and enjoyable. I chatted with UCL students about their lives in the big city and the similarities and differences between our programs and universities. In karaoke, I found many talented singers. Although someone was too shy to sing, he still enjoyed the music and atmosphere very much:)! In a nutshell, thank you to everyone who contributed to the perfect trip. The shared experience made our community more unified and cohesive, and it will remain a cherished memory in my mind.
Jinru Li: This London study trip was both fascinating and inspiring. As a city I’ve always adored, London’s charm shone even brighter during this immersive experience. Exploring its streets and navigating the Underground with CEID teachers and classmates turned everyday moments into cherished memories. (Above left: CEID ’25 visiting British Council)
The roundtable discussion at UCL left a profound impression on me. Listening to four scholars in our field share their career journeys and unique perspectives on entering academia was truly enlightening. Their stories reminded me that setbacks and imposter syndrome are natural parts of growth—what matters is believing in oneself and seizing future opportunities.
My participation in events hosted by Results UK and the Interparliamentary Network further broadened my horizons, revealing the vast array of possibilities that lie ahead. Of course, London’s culinary delights were another highlight—the cookies from the British Council were simply the best I’ve ever tasted! I’m already planning my return. Next time, I’ll stay longer to finally catch a West End musical. London, I’ll be back!
