2008 Woodie Awards
Study abroads offer learning experiences
Danielle Stillman
Issue date: 1/29/08 Section: Features
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The highly successful Literary London program, led by English professor James Barloon, is in its third year. During the 2008 trip, 24 undergraduate and graduate students stayed in London from Dec. 30 to Jan. 11. Participants visited English landmarks such as Cambridge University and the British Museum, while studying classic poems and novels that referenced the city.
"When I stepped on the plane last December to attend the Literary London winter study abroad course, I expected classes, group trips, and lots of rain to await me in London," said Mary Green, sophomore English major. "As the trip progressed, however, I realized the two-week study abroad trip was a rare opportunity."
While reading Shakespeare and Dickens, students visited the Globe Theatre as well as the Dickens House, bringing their study of literature to life through private, docent-led tours. Students were also afforded a rare opportunity to visit the famous Trinity College library, where rare editions of Shakespeare's first folio, as well as handwritten Milton manuscripts and relics from Sir Isaac Newton, were on display.
"Literary London was the ultimate integration of environment and education," said sophomore philosophy and psychology major Adrian Garza.
Students also enjoyed ample amounts of free time during most afternoons and evenings to explore the city. An extended four-day weekend allowed participants to travel to places such as Rome, Amsterdam, Dublin and Paris, while others took day trips to surrounding cities like Oxford, Bath and Canterbury.
The Jamaica study abroad trip also provided real-world learning experiences for seven education majors and MLA students. The trip, headed by education professer Randy Soffer, consisted of 10 days in the Caribbean country, with students arriving on Jan. 2 and leaving on Jan. 12.
During the first three days of the trip, participants visited some of the tourist hotspots, but the most important experiences came after the vacation component. "After that, we started doing the real work," said MLA student Jimmy Nguyen. "We experienced the real Jamaica, not the whole white sands and happy smiles."