From Pittsburgh to London: Reflecting on My Journey from Pitt to LSE, and Back

As I conclude my first semester back at the University of Pittsburgh after a transformative year at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), I find myself reflecting deeply on the unique and contrasting experiences I’ve had at both institutions. Before departing for London, my advisor offered me a memorable piece of advice: “The reverse culture shock of coming back to Pitt will likely be greater than the culture shock of moving to England.” At the time, I dismissed this notion without much thought. Having lived in the United States since I was five, surely returning to the familiarity of home would be far easier than adjusting to a foreign country. Spoiler alert: I couldn’t have been more wrong.

When you move abroad, you’re swept up in the novelty and excitement—the vibrant energy of a new city, the immersion in a different culture, the connections with new people, and, of course, the much-envied efficiency of competent public transportation. The anticipation of needing to adapt to new surroundings softens the impact of culture shock; it’s almost masked by the thrill of discovery. Rarely did I find myself comparing London to Pittsburgh or Philadelphia, as the magic of the new experience held my focus. By the end of my first semester, however, I began to feel homesick—not because I wasn’t enjoying London, but because the initial magic had faded, and I found myself longing for the comfort and familiarity of South Oakland. Yet, I wouldn’t have the chance to return home until my program was complete, and by the time I arrived back at Pitt for the summer term, my advisor’s prediction had come true.

The familiarity of home felt strangely unfamiliar. I couldn’t stop comparing everything to my life in London. Oakland in the summer—a sleepy, quiet community—felt worlds apart from London’s constant energy and never-sleeping streets. Pitt’s campus, just a five-minute walk from my house shared with two roommates, felt monotonous compared to my 30-minute walk or 15-minute bus ride from my 400-person Freshman dorm to LSE.? At Pitt, it’s possible to go weeks without venturing beyond campus, while in London, every walk to class was an adventure through one of the world’s most dynamic cities. In London, visiting friends often meant a long journey across the city using Transport for London (TfL), whereas at Pitt, everyone I knew was within a 15-minute walking radius.

The academic differences were just as stark. Pitt’s curriculum focuses heavily on theory, with lectures often emphasizing graphs, equations, and theoretical foundations. LSE also covered theory but approached it differently—assigning theoretical concepts as textbook readings while focusing class discussions on real-world applications and recently published research papers. At LSE, coursework was designed to be completed independently, with less class time devoted to structured lectures. A course that would meet twice a week for 75-minute lectures and a 50-minute recitation at Pitt might only meet for one hour a week at LSE. Additionally, the grading systems diverged sharply. While American universities typically base final grades on a combination of homework, quizzes, exams, and participation, LSE’s grades are often determined entirely by a single final exam or paper.

Initially, I struggled with these differences upon my return to Pitt. I missed the freedom that LSE provided—the ability to dive deeply into a specific topic of interest and bring my findings into a class discussion without the constraints of weekly assignments. However, as the semester progressed, I came to appreciate the structure that Pitt’s system offers. Regular quizzes and homework ensured that I had a thorough understanding of each week’s material, keeping me on track and more accountable for my progress. Another notable distinction is diversity in the classroom. At LSE, where approximately 70% of the student body is international, discussions were enriched by a wide range of perspectives shaped by different cultures, economies, and global experiences. This diversity fostered dynamic conversations that pushed me to think about issues from viewpoints I otherwise would not have considered. At Pitt, discussions tend to revolve around the United States, which is also valuable because it allows for a deeper understanding of the country I live in and where I aim to make an impact. Both approaches have taught me the importance of balancing global perspectives with localized understanding.

The reason I waited a semester to write this reflection was to allow myself time to overcome the reverse culture shock and provide a balanced perspective. Both institutions have shaped me in ways I couldn’t have anticipated. LSE taught me the value of independence, diversity, and global thinking, while Pitt has reinforced the importance of community, structure, and incremental learning. These experiences are not opposites but complements, and I’m grateful to carry lessons from both into my future.