A group of nine Elizabethtown College students enrolled in the EN102: Western Literary Culture: Regional Writers of England course recently traveled to England for a memorable and informative 15-day trip with Assistant Professor of English Dr. Tara Moore to tour vibrant literary and cultural sites that inspired many of the greatest British authors.
“Studying the landscapes and history that influenced beloved works of literature drives our course and leads to memorable experiential learning,” Moore said. “Students also grow as international travelers as they learn to move in smaller cities and then through the great metropolis of London.”
The tour runs every two years. The group began by touring the city of Oxford, a class favorite, then took a day trip to Stratford-on-Avon. Next, the group went to Bath, exploring the Regency influences on English novelist Jane Austen through the architecture and culture of the city. While there, they also learned about Roman culture in Britain at the Roman Baths.
Stonehenge was also a student favorite, after which the group went to Winchester to explore Jane Austen’s nearby cottage and explored terrain that inspired poet John Keats’ “To Autumn” poem.
“I have always loved this poem, and getting to see the scenery that inspired its imagery first-hand made the poem’s subject feel more tactile and visual,” English major Grace Feeney ’24 said. “Developing an enhanced understanding of the various authors and literary works I’ve grown to love throughout the years proved to be not only enjoyable but also rewarding.”
For the last five days of the trip, the group traveled to London and visited Charles Dickens’ house, along with the Warner Brothers Studio
Students had free time as well in London, which included being immersed in the culture through attending shows, visiting museums, and shopping.
“I learned an exponential amount about traveling and adapting to new environments,” Feeney said. “Not only will I take this course’s literary information with me in the future, but I will also take the various lessons I learned about problem-solving back to Etown and beyond.”
This year’s trip focused on poetry and creative writing. Before departing, students read a selection of poems, novels, and other texts. During the trip, students read pieces in places of poetic significance and undertook their creative writing as a way to pause and process the spaces the group visited.
