Twelve high school guidance counselors experienced another culture during Arcadia University’s London Preview for Guidance Counselors, from Aug.1 through Aug. 7. They were accompanied by Mark Lapreziosa, Acting Vice President for Enrollment Management, Tamara Lapman, Associate Director of Enrollment Management, and Tiffany Still, Senior Assistant Director of Enrollment Management.

“I enjoyed each of the activities. However, Buckingham Palace was amazing,” says Elise Crowthers, from Dowingtown East High School in Exton, Pa. “From a professional standpoint, I was very happy to visit Queen Mary and Cambridge to learn more about the UK system of education.”

This is the 13th year that Arcadia has conducted the London Preview for Educators. The counselors and teachers 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.

Marlena Toto, a counselor from St. Elizabeth High School in Wilmington, Del. says, “It was truly an experience I don’t think any of us will forget. The Enrollment Management staff took care of us and we appreciate it so much.”

Upon arrival in London, the participants met with Arcadia’s London staff for an orientation and received maps and transportation passes. From there, they explored the district of Earls Court in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, where Queen Victoria was born, and where Redcliffe Gardens, one of Arcadia’s London residence halls, is located.

They had the opportunity to visit Queen Mary University, tour the Tower of London, spend an evening at the theater, take day trips to Cambridge 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.

This year’s participants included Shannon O’Sullivan, Pennridge High School, Perkasie, Pa.; Sally Schillaci, DeSales High School, Geneva, N.Y.; Michael Borkowski and Elise Crowthers, Dowingtown High School East, Exton, Pa., Chrissy Kafkalas, Jenkintown High School, Jenkintown, Pa.; Marlena Toto, St. Elizabeth High School, Wilmington, Del.; Larry Fletcher, Salesianum School, Wilmington, Del.; Thomas Gilroy, Central High School, Philadelphia, Pa.; Anastasia Marcella, South Brunswick High School, Monmouth Junction, N.J.; Rich Marta, Lower Moreland High School, Huntingdon Valley, Pa.; Michael Gleason, Westerly High School, Westerly, RI.; and Kathleen Scheidel, Pope John Paul II High School, Royersford, Pa.