By Jackson Clark
Samford is notorious for having an unbalanced gender ratio, but the all-girl cohort of around 20 students heading to Samford’s Daniel House in London is taking it to the next level.
Samford Abroad Director Jennifer Lackey noted the unusual nature of this fact.
“It is rare to have an all-girls cohort, but it has happened in the past,” Lackey said. “We do our best to advertise to all groups on campus as we love diversity at the House, which is why we also see a variety of majors represented.”
Per Lackey, what diversity the house lacks in gender is made up for in the many majors in attendance.
“We had more business and finance majors last semester because Dr. Kirkpatrick was the faculty,” Lackey explained. “However, your major does not have to match the faculty’s area for you to be considered for the program. Again, we love having a wide range of interests and majors.”
According to Samford’s study broad website, Dr. Amanda Howard of Samford’s Psychology Department will be the faculty in residence for the Fall 2026 semester. While her presence at the Daniel House has attracted several Psychology majors, there are several other majors represented in the upcoming cohort.
Kaelyn Denney, a sophomore Nutrition Major, is one of those people. Speaking about the upcoming semester, Denney had nothing but positive things to say.
“When else in your life can you do something like being able to travel in that way?” Denney said. “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to get to really make a place your home for a little while.”
When asked how she felt about having an all-female cohort, Denney replied that she had no complaints.
“I think all girls will be great,” Denney said. “Everybody I’ve met is super sweet. I have no opposition to it being all girls. I think it’ll be fun.”
A more pressing concern for Denney is the extended time away from Samford’s campus. “I’m definitely very sad about leaving people behind,” Denney said. “It’s a long time to be gone, and it’ll be about 8 months before I see some friends here again.”
Sophomore English Major Laurel Beal shared similar concerns.
“I am going to miss the people a lot,” Beal said. “That is something I’ve been worried about. I have a couple of friends that are going, So I’m not going to be completely cut off from people.”
Despite her reservations, Beal has hope in the strength of the friendships she has made at Samford.
“I am confident that when I come back, we can pick up right where we left off,” Beal said.
This semester will be Beals’s first time outside the country, but she feels well prepared.
“What I like about the Daniel House is that there is such great support there,” Beal said. “I’m not worried about it at all.”
