High School Counselors Experience London Preview

By Purnell T. Cropper | August 10, 2010

Eleven high school guidance counselors experienced exposure to another culture as they took part in Arcadia University’s London Preview for Guidance Counselors from July 26 through Aug. 1.

This is the 12th year that Arcadia has conducted the London Preview for Guidance Counselors, and the counselors were selected for the experience in December when their names were drawn from more than 170 attendees at Arcadia’s annual Counselor Workshop and Luncheon, sponsored by the Office of Enrollment Management.

“Exposure to another culture is always an educational opportunity. The week provides us with a vision of London which expanded our knowledge of the British system of education and afforded us the interchange with other educators to evaluate and appreciate strengths and challenges in each system,” says Sister Regina Flanigan of Little Flower High School in Philadelphia, Pa.

“Our time was well spent exploring varied institutes of higher learning as well as the day-to-day pace of British living,” she said. “We return to our work invaluably enriched and grateful to this university for its foresight and dedication to cultural diversity for us, our students and Arcadia students as well.”

On their arrival in London, the participants met with Arcadia’s London staff for an orientation and received their maps and transportation passes. They then had the opportunity to explore Islington, the fashionable 18th century London neighborhood next to the Arcadia University residence hall, Thoresby House, which served as the counselors’ accommodations while in London.

The counselors also had the opportunity to visit City University in downtown London, tour the Tower of London, spend an evening at the theater, take day trips to Oxford and Richmond, as well as enjoy a boat ride down the River Thames. They also had free time to explore other attractions London has to offer, including museums, galleries and shops.

High school guidance counselors attending London Preview were the following: Tim Dunleavy, Garnet Valley High School, Glen Mills, Pa.; Sister Regina Flanigan, Little Flower High School, Philadelphia, Pa.; Janet Ford, Valley Forge Military Academy, Wayne, Pa.; Rebecca Martin, West Orange High School, West Orange, N.J.; Angela McNeil, PA Virtual Charter School, Norristown, Pa.; Davin Orlowski, J.P. McCaskey High School, Lancaster, Pa.; Rhonda Paules, Abington Senior High School, Abington, Pa.; John Ramsey, Sanford School, Hockessin, Del.; Amanda Rice, Woodstock Academy, Woodstock, Conn.; Lori Shaw, Methacton High School, Norristown, Pa.; and Peggy Wu, Ridge High School, Basking Ridge, N.J.