From London to Thailand, Bradley Students Take Learning Abroad

In January, 74 Bradley students swapped the classroom for adventure, traveling to Thailand and London for an immersive study abroad experience. From historic landmarks to bustling city streets, students explored new cultures while diving into courses in English, theatre, criminal justice, business, and more.

Assistant professor Shannon Cunningham taught Comparative Criminal Justice in the London cohort, offering students an immersive look at the British criminal justice system. The course introduces students to the U.K. system by exploring the history of punishment, then examining policing, courts, and corrections, while comparing each to the United States.

“Our time is split between learning about these topics in the classroom and traveling throughout London to see the system in action,” Cunningham explained. “We explored the development of law by touring both the Supreme Court of the U.K. and Parliament, where we observed sessions of the House of Commons and the House of Lords.”

Through this comparative approach, students were especially struck by differences in policing. British officers tend to take a more proactive and collaborative approach with citizens to prevent crime, and they do not carry firearms.

Students also visited the British Museum, Bow Street Criminal Justice Museum, and the Tower of London. One evening was spent following in the footsteps of Jack the Ripper, one of the world’s most notorious unsolved crimes.

“The Bow Street Museum was one of the coolest places we visited because it was an old police station turned into a museum,” said Kenna Delahanty, a senior Political Science major with a Legal Studies minor. Of course, the experience wasn’t all law and order. In her free time, she also visited Windsor Castle and took the Harry Potter Studio Tour.

Hannah Vazquez, a senior English major with a minor in anthropology, was intrigued by the subject matter. “I was a little nervous since it’s outside my major, but Dr. Cunningham was extremely helpful and explained the material well,” she said, adding that she enjoyed the excursions and the thought-provoking assignments.

Here, Kenna and Hannah talk about the highlights of their trip.

Bradley offers many exciting study abroad and study away opportunities. Learn more here.

—Emily Potts