When Oliver Billings ’29 decided to spend his summer abroad at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), he hadn’t yet grasped all that awaited him in the iconic city.
Billings, a double major in finance and marketing at Trinity University, was initially drawn to the program for its academic rigor and theme. The six-week program’s statistics and macroeconomics sessions introduced Billings to the fast-paced and engaging world of international business. Most of his days involved three-hour lectures followed by classes focused on collaborative learning, allowing him to work with his peers on problem sets that applied concepts from lectures into real-world situations.
When he wasn’t in class, Billings took every opportunity to navigate London like a local on the bus, the train, and on foot. His excursions took him to many different corners of the city, such as the historic business district, parks, cafes, and markets. He enjoyed watching musicals and savoring British culinary classics. “London was so accessible and had so much to see and do,” Billings says. “It was so fun to be able to say that I stopped by Buckingham Palace on my way to class.”
During nightly walks, Billings indulged in the illuminated landmarks and bustling streets that guided him throughout the city. These spur-of-the-moment excursions were one of the most rewarding experiences for Billings.
“Being alone on this trip without an official itinerary made the entire experience more stress-free for me,” he says. “I truly got to craft an experience for myself, one that allowed me to take the reins and explore what London has to offer.”
Although the LSE wasn’t a Trinity-sponsored program, Billings received much guidance and support from the study abroad office and Raquel Meyer Alexander, Ph.D., the dean of the Michael Neidorff School of Business, when he navigated the application process. “I initially heard of the LSE program through Dean Alexander, and Andre Martinez with the study abroad office helped with all the paperwork and transferring my credits,” he says. “They were a huge reason I was able to go on this study abroad trip, and that is something I will always be grateful for.”
Aside from immersing him in English culture, the program helped Billings grow academically and professionally. Through excursions in the historic and modern financial districts of London and interactive seminars, Billings took management, macroeconomic, and other business concepts beyond his assignments in the classroom.
“I find it so interesting because people would usually say ‘I will never see this in the real world,’ but with this program, it was the complete opposite,” he says. “Seeing these concepts come to life in the business world—it’s truly rewarding. I really recommend the LSE program to other students interested in business.”
Billings is excited to apply his newfound knowledge and experience to his life at Trinity. Much like he learned to navigate the busy streets of London, he now feels more equipped to chart his next business journey.