During the summer of 2009, RWC English Professor Ruth Benander guided a group of students from RWC on an exciting study abroad trip through England. On this trip Benander and her students studied the transition of Victorian English literature from romanticism to modernism. Not only were the students able to experience a captivating and interesting educational experience, but they were also able to travel to and see many popular historical locations, such as the neo-classical beauty of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.
Students were also able to connect their educational studies of literature with their own travels through England. For example, they were able to visit 221 Baker Street, home of Arthur Conan Doyle’s fictional character, the notorious detective Sherlock Holmes.
They were also able to walk in the Peak District of Derbyshire where Jane Austen had written about the romantic Mr. Darcy and through the Sherwood Forest and Nottingham, where Robin Hood led his band of Merry Men.
As a result, students were able to connect even more with the classic stories that they have heard throughout their lives. Josie Ploehs, a student on the trip, stated, “Sherwood Forest puts you right into the stories. You feel healthy and alive walking through the calm woods surrounded by trees that are several hundred years old. It helps you imagine that a story like this could have actually happened amongst these trees.”
While in Europe the group was able to experience the vast landscape, historical architecture and art, and the great variety of European traditions and foods.
Overall the students who were involved in this trip seem to have had a wonderful educational and maturing experience. Melissa Costello, a UC student stated, “I have always been a confident woman, but this trip at this stage in my life has allowed me to be independent and self-reliant in a way that even I have not experienced before.”
If you have any questions about last summer’s study abroad trip, email Professor Benander at Ruth.Benander@uc.edu or you can check her blog of the trip at distantchimes.blogspot.com. For any other information about upcoming study abroad trips, check the RWC study abroad website at www.rwc.uc.edu/SAEC or contact RWC Professor Mike Roos at michael.roos@uc.edu or Professor Sue Sipple at susan.sipple@uc.edu.
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