British Summer Institute in the Humanities : Reviews (Edinburgh)
The following program review responses have been selected for publication by Study Abroad & Global Engagement
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Angela Li,
Summer 2016 Participant
Our first week, we went to see A Midsummer's Night Dream at the Globe Theatre. I stood almost right in front of the stage and could see every feature of every actor on stage. The energy of the performance was through the roof, the acting was so nuanced--the actors themselves had great chemistry--and little twists the director made were so delightful. I watched the production with a smile on face the entire time, and afterwards, I could not stop thinking about it.
Stephanie Elise Emig,
Summer 2017 Participant
I appreciated the level of inclusion that was central to this experience. We were never "off the clock" as students, I always felt that I was learning. With the culture class, immersing myself in the cities and landscapes felt like a component of my studying abroad, and not just an added bonus. Everywhere I went, I was learning.
Marisa R Haselhuhn,
Summer 2017 Participant
Mary Klayder is an amazing person, and she makes this life-changing program work the way it does. I also loved how well the course material matched with the location. Reading Wuthering Heights means so much more if you can walk the moors and sit in the Bronte's house.
Harriet M Hobart,
Summer 2017 Participant
The entire trip was so amazing. We got to experience the full range of British culture which was really cool, but the outing to Haworth was really cool. Our group hiked to the Bronte Waterfall and got to experience the moors in the same way they did while they were writing their novels. It really highlighted the connection between the Bronte's writing and their environment.
Summer 2018 Participant
My favorite part was getting to experience the beauty of the Scottish Highlands. They're nothing like anything you'd ever see back home in the states; it's like a different planet.
Summer 2018 Participant
Scotland was my favorite part of the month. The history and the culture is so highly prided and appreciated, the landscapes are breathtakingly beautiful, the people are lovely and warm. I felt so comfortable in Scotland, especially the Highlands, and felt at ease.
Summer 2018 Participant
My favorite part of this program was the extensive cultural experience that is offered everyday. I loved how the professors did not oversee all of the activities/meals of the group and allowed the group to experience the UK in some areas alone. This is where I learned the most about the people and ideas. I loved the freedom the professors offered and think that this is my favorite part of the program.
Summer 2018 Participant
My favorite part of this program was being able to experience literary locations firsthand: visiting Castle Howard, the Moors in York, the untidy and wild mountains of the Scottish highlands. You can't really understand how amazing it all feels or where it all comes from until you are there in the middle of it all.
Kyle A Paddock,
Summer 2018 Participant
The sheer fact of being able to immerse myself in the culture where my family immigrated from was incredibly rewarding to me. For me, it was more than just a study abroad--it was a life-changing experience. Mary Klayder, Anna Neill, and Sarah Stepp were fabulous leaders and I am proud to call them friends.
Summer 2018 Participant
The trip to the Highlands made me fall in love with Scotland in a way I couldn't have ever anticipated.
Summer 2018 Participant
My favorite part of the program was going on the Highland Trip in Scotland and being able to hear about the culture and history of the country from a native who was very knowledgeable about Scottish mythology, folktales, music, war, etc. When hearing stories like that, its very different from what you might learn in a classroom, so I don't think I'll ever forget it.
Summer 2019 Participant
My favorite part of this program was visiting the Scottish Highlands. I feel that I became very immersed in the culture of Scotland over this trip. By being exposed to the language, history, mythology, and politics of the country by Scottish people, I fell in love with Scotland.
Summer 2019 Participant
My favorite part of the program was probably the portion in the Scottish highlands. The scenery of the landscapes up there are breathtaking.
Caroline H Newman,
Summer 2019 Participant
Every part of the BSI was my favorite part, but if I had to choose one experience, I would say the Highlands weekend. Our guide, Caitlin, was phenomenal, and we had such a wonderful time getting to know her and the Highlands. From Loch Ness to the Isle of Skye, every bit of the Highlands was its own experience. The BSI wouldn't have been the same without the Highlands weekend!
Rachel A Payne,
Summer 2019 Participant
The weekend trip to the Highlands was incredible. Not only did we get to see so many beautiful parts of northern Scotland but we were also able to learn so much more about Scottish culture and their history. Every stop had a story whether it be a folklore or a moment in Scottish history (sometimes the two tied together) and the views were breathtaking.
Brooklyn S Kiosow,
Summer 2016 Participant
I really enjoyed reading the required novels and then actually going to the places they were written or inspired by.
Angela Li,
Summer 2016 Participant
It was a really amazing experience to study certain paintings and pieces of art during our class time, and then be able to see the pieces in the flesh just a couple hours later. I really loved that I was able to appreciate the elements of the artworks after learning about them during lecture.
Summer 2017 Participant
The combination of the readings with the landscape was exactly as powerful as Mary said it would be. So historically enlightening!
Summer 2017 Participant
The most rewarding aspects of this program are the experiences that I received throughout the program. Being able to see and apply everything that we learned in person was extremely fulfilling. Not to mention, the food was great and the locations were very exciting!
Moriyah H Ramberg,
Summer 2017 Participant
The professors and students on the program made it an incredibly enjoyable experience. The amount I learned about the U.K. through walking tours, class time, and exploring enriched my knowledge of life outside the U.S.
Summer 2018 Participant
Figuring things out like the Tube, where you're going, or currency is super rewarding because you feel self sufficient and like you actually live in the country.
Kyle A Paddock,
Summer 2018 Participant
The readings were stimulating and challenging as well as interesting. The group excursions were incredible, however I enjoyed exploring London in smaller groups and sometimes individually.
Summer 2019 Participant
Being able to read the British novels from the curriculum while being in the place they were written made them come a live a lot more.
Caroline H Newman,
Summer 2019 Participant
Getting to connect with the literature we were reading in a physical sense was really great. We read several novels, poems, and a short story, then were able to visit the places described in the literature; it was really rewarding, and I was able to connect with the literature on a deeper level than I would have been able to in a regular classroom.
Angela Li,
Summer 2016 Participant
I learned that sometimes, one must let go of certain things in order to enjoy the environment to the fullest. In my case, I had to let go of people; I couldn't let the people I was with to get in the way of my experiences.
Elsa Marie Bernauer,
Summer 2017 Participant
I learned that this program helps create bonds between students and faculty, but it also encourages you to learn more about yourself. In the short amount of time that we were abroad, I discovered new things about myself that I only would have found by traveling abroad.
Summer 2017 Participant
Be wary of seagulls. But in all seriousness, don't be afraid to go outside your comfort zone while traveling abroad. Try haggis, climb Arthur's Seat, or even go to the Globe Theatre and watch Twelfth Night where it was originally shown. These are the once in a lifetime opportunities, and you don't want to miss it simply because it's more comfortable to relax in your room watching netflix.
Stephanie Elise Emig,
Summer 2017 Participant
Bring a good rain jacket!!
Marisa R Haselhuhn,
Summer 2017 Participant
I learned that there is always room for self growth. You may think you know yourself so well, and then something small will just completely throw you into a new direction that you never thought possible. The best thing about studying abroad is that you're taking your knowledge and experiences and placing them into this new culture that's completely different than yours. You're able to compare the two, and you learn from it in unexpected ways.
Moriyah H Ramberg,
Summer 2017 Participant
I was afraid to study abroad before this trip. I wasn't sure what being away from home for so long would be like and because I didn't know what to expect. I would tell any future students to not let travel anxiety get the best of them. Pushing through my fears was the best decision I made.
Summer 2018 Participant
I learned that although the UK is an English speaking country, there are quite a few cultural differences that you'd never understand until you went there. If there are that many misunderstandings between countries that share a common language and origin, imagine the struggles between two very different nations. We could all stand to do a lot less talking and a lot more listening when it comes to conflict.
Kyle A Paddock,
Summer 2018 Participant
As cliche as it sounds, come with an open mind and you will get the most out of the experience. DO things with the group and understand that you are a family. Also, do the work! It's not difficult and procrastinating and cramming really take away from the experience.