EuroLearn Participants Soak Up Sights, Sounds and Advice on Cultural Nuances of Studying Abroad in Europe
Bridging Cultures Program To Evolve With Each New Semester Abroad Group
The "lords" and "ladies" at the Medieval Banquet during the EuroLearn Bridging Culture Program in London included (L to R): EuroLearn Director Mona Miller, Kamryn Bagley (Dublin Institute of Technology), Patrick Warren (Swansea University), Michael Gallagher (Dublin Institute of Technology), Vanessa Bogan (Dublin Institute of Technology.)
During a recent long weekend in London, 17 North American university students traced the eerie trail of Jack the Ripper, took in the theatrical masterpiece “Billy Elliott The Musical” and feasted alongside Henry VIII at the Medieval Banquet.
It was all part of the EuroLearn Bridging Cultures Program, an opportunity for undergraduates studying abroad through EuroLearn to explore host-country culture and history while also meeting other students to share expectations, early impressions, host university experiences, challenges and achievements.
Participants on the three-day London excursion February 19 -21 had just started their semesters abroad at universities across the United Kingdom and Ireland. In addition, EuroLearn hosted a two-day Bridging Cultures Program excursion February 27-28 in Venice with three students studying at UCSC Milan in Italy.
“EuroLearn’s first Bridging Cultures Program was a little different than the traditional orientation programs of the other GlobaLinks Learning Abroad programs,” said Robin Buck, EuroLearn’s resident director. “It took place several weeks after students had arrived at their host university campuses, so students came to the meeting with some existing expertise and a good bank of experience to draw upon in group discussions.”
Jacquelyn Witz and Courtney Sewell, students from California Baptist University who are studying abroad for a semester at USMC-Milan, take in Italian cultural sites with the help of gondolier Fabio during the EuroLearn Bridging Cultures Program.
Sightseeing may be one of the main attractions of the Bridging Cultures Program, but the opportunity to meet other EuroLearn participants and EuroLearn staff is equally important. Through these new relationships, students are able to share experiences and concerns and also monitor expectations and goals of the study abroad experience, Buck said. Offered exclusively to EuroLearn students, the cost of the program (including some meals, accommodation, transportation, and excursions) is included in the EuroLearn program fee.
In morning group meetings for the London program, participants discussed academic differences between home schools and host institutions, contemporary culture and students’ observations of host-country culture, personal finances, safety and travel. The remainder of program time was dedicated to excursions to local historical sights and cultural attractions.
The London group participated in the Jack the Ripper Walking Tour about late 1800s London, walked around royal and government sights, took a double-decker bus across London to see the Marble Arch, Oxford Street, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Fleet Street and the Tower of London and, among other sights.
Similarly, the Venice program provided participants an equally rich historical and cultural setting, with sights including the Rialto Bridge, St. Mark’s Square, and the Basilica. Program topics were discussed as the group traveled and during meals.
EuroLearn study abroad program participants took part in EuroLearn's Bridging Cultures Program in London and gathered for a group shot in front of the Tower of London. Photo, Robin Buck.
“We also sipped some divine, thick hot chocolate at the supposed first cafe in Europe, called Florian’s,” Buck said.
Going forward, the Bridging Cultures Program will remain a fixture of the EuroLearn experience, although destinations, formats and excursion details will be adjusted each semester, Buck said.
“It’s easy to get wrapped up in the energy of study abroad students,” Buck said. “We can live vicariously through them with all their adventures and find real fulfillment when we see them stepping out, challenging themselves and growing all along the way. Encountering them in the midst of their adventure was very special indeed.”
Among the London group was student Leslie Pitman of Queens University of Charlotte, North Carolina. Pitman is studying for a semester at Kingston University in London. She shared a few insights into her Bridging Cultures Program experience:
Q: What was your favorite activity during the Bridging Cultures Program and why?
Leslie Pitman photographed the many historic and cultural sights during the London Bridging Cultures Program. Photograph, Leslie Pitman.
It would be far too difficult to choose one activity I enjoyed the most. I thought that, between the theatre, Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, and the Jack the Ripper tour, we covered all of the important bases. Having already been somewhat familiar with London, I think I appreciated these activities even more. They were unique events that I hadn’t experienced yet. … As a dancer and big musical fan, though, I was very excited about and thoroughly enjoyed “Billy Elliot.” I definitely think that, no matter what sightseeing you choose to do in the future, you should keep the theatre on the itinerary. It’s something that “Londoners” and visitors can enjoy and appreciate, and it’s a big part of the culture!
Q: What did you learn during the program that surprised you?
I think that hearing about other students’ experiences in other parts of the U.K. was interesting and surprising. Hearing about how different the Scottish culture is to the Welsh culture is to the Irish culture, and comparing these descriptions with the English culture really enlightened me to the diversity that is present throughout the United Kingdom. We spent a lot of time discussing how to approach these different cultures with a humble attitude, but also how to be alert and aware of what is going on. Some students shared that they had been treated unfairly as Americans, which surprised me, because I really haven’t had any negative experiences so far. This is why it’s important, though, as we learned, to understand the culture that you are visiting, and how to assimilate with the society but also maintain your own country’s identity. Sometimes it is difficult to balance, and other times it can be as simple as not talking too loudly on the bus!
Q. What are you taking away from this experience?
My greatest gain during the Bridging Cultures Program was new friends. Meeting other students studying in the U.K. –some who had arrived only days before and others who had been here nearly two months — was inspiring and exciting. It was easy for us to connect and get along, because we were eager to share our experiences and glean from each other. It was a comfort to know that we were all in the same place mentally — that we were in this together. Also, as (the program leaders) kept reminding us, we are a unique group of students who have already stepped outside the “norm” by studying abroad; we have each gone to a brand new, foreign environment, where the only thing we know upon arriving is our own name. And, after just a brief period of time, it was obvious that we had all learned so much and were looking forward to more. I plan on keeping in touch with the friends I met during this program, and will hopefully have some people to stay with when I travel around the U.K.!
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