In 1990, Dr. Paul Dowell passed the English department's study abroad program to Dr. Rick Taylor. This past summer, three English graduate students, Jennifer McQueen, Corinee Guy, and Michelle Graham, participated in the three-week trip to London, England.

Michelle studied the Romantic poets including Blake, Keats, and Coleridge. Corinee studied Renaissance literature. She also began her thesis research on "The Use of Dwarfs in Renaissance Literature" and worked in both the British Museum and the Public Records Office at Kew. Jennifer read books and poetry by British authors that included The Ministry of Fear by Graham Greene, "The Heat of the Day" by Elizabeth Bowen, and 1984 by George Orwell.  Michelle, Corinee, and Jennifer all commented on why it was important to study abroad. Jennifer said, "I got to see where the authors were living, writing, and what they were experiencing." 

Corinee said, "As I am reading now, the history is brought to life. It makes the stories come alive because I saw the streets that they saw when they wrote. I experienced some of what they did." Michelle noted, "It was also great to know that I can be dropped in the middle of nowhere, but can still survive. I grew so much as a person while gaining independence and becoming more mature." Jennifer agreed and said, "I also matured through self-sufficiency and, through that, I have gained much more independence." 

Taylor added, "Students can get up to six credit hours, they can travel to London at a surprisingly inexpensive cost, and they can experience another culture. All ECU students, graduate and undergraduate, are eligible." 

Last year's total cost ranged between $2000 and $3000, depending on spending money which varied greatly per person. Rivers Fellowships can reduce the cost to an amazingly affordable level, and you can apply through International Affairs. 

Rick Taylor and Professor Brent Henze are making plans for another three-week trip for next summer.  It will probably be during the second summer session, but they will finalize dates and provide approximate costs by Thanksgiving. If you are interested, call or email Professor Taylor (taylorr@mail.ecu.edu) at ext. 6687 or Rita Gonsalves (gonsalvesr@amil.ecu.edu) of International Affairs at ext. 1937.