We’d like to warmly invite all Texas State University students to join us for a study-abroad program in London & Cambridge in Summer Session I. You can choose to take one or two classes while getting to know glamorous London and charming Cambridge!
Your choices include general education requirements: College Writing II – Travel Writing (ENG 1320), British Literature (ENG 2320), International Technical Writing (ENG 3303), and Creative Writing – Fiction (ENG 3348).
The Texas State in London and Cambridge, England program is designed for students who would like to earn credit for 1 or 2 Texas State University courses in just 5 weeks! You will spend two weeks in London with your teachers and classmates and complete the remainder of our coursework online, whether at home or while traveling.
How do I pay for Study Abroad?
You can use your current financial aid package for these courses, but you should also apply for the first-come, first-served International Education Fund (IEF) Scholarship, which grants awards of $750-$3,500 (there is no GPA requirement for freshmen!). Additionally, if you receive the Pell grant, you are eligible to apply for the Gilman Scholarship. Both of these scholarships have final deadlines in the early weeks of the spring semester, so make sure you look into them soon!
How do I apply for this trip?
Please check out the London & Cambridge online brochure (and application!) at the Texas State Education Abroad Office website. (The application opens in mid-October, and you’ll want to act quickly to reserve your spot!)
What if I have a question about the program?
Come and meet your Texas State in London & Cambridge faculty, Laura Ellis-Lai and Ben Reed, at the Texas State Study Abroad Fair in the LBJ Ballroom on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 from 11 am – 3 pm. An academic advisor will also be available at the fair that day to complete the academic advisor form you’ll need for your application. Please call us or email Laura or Ben with any questions:
Dr. Laura Ellis-Lai
LE17@txstate.edu
(512) 245-7678
Faculty Profile
Mr. Ben Reed
ben-reed@txstate.edu
(512) 245-7668
Faculty Profile
What will we do in London?
Together, we’ll spend lots of time exploring the same streets, visiting the same royal palaces, relaxing in the same coffee shops, and traipsing through the same leafy parks that our writers did over the previous decades and centuries. Our readings will help us time-travel through the centuries and our outings will make history come alive!
Together, we’ll visit:
- a reconstruction of Shakespeare’s Globe Theater along the banks of the Thames River,
- the British Library to see Jane Austen’s desk and many other literary treasures,
- the Victoria and Albert Museum to learn about the influence of the British empire on English taste and culture,
- the British Gallery to see some of the world’s best paintings from round-the-world masters,
- the British Museum to see treasures collected from around the world and to learn about ongoing efforts to have many of these objects repatriated to the places where they were created,
- the Harry Potter fan favorite, Platform 9 and 3/4, alongside a shop where you can get “fitted” for a magic wand of your own,
- Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Hyde Park, royal palaces, and much more!
We’ll also take a field trip to visit the nearby college town of Cambridge, England to punt the River Cam, visit the King’s College Chapel, and see where many of the world’s greatest literary and scientific advancements were made. We will stand where Watson and Crick announced the discovery of DNA (at their favorite Cambridge lunch spot), walk by Stephen Hawking’s office, and even see an apple tree grafted from the same tree that inspired Isaac Newton to reconsider gravity.
How will we get around London?
We’ll be learning as we explore the city from top to bottom! Upon arrival in London, you’ll be provided with an orientation to the city, which will include health and safety information, and you’ll get a transportation pass and orientation to the London Underground (a city-wide subway system often referred to as “The Tube”) to help you feel confident and comfortable traveling around the city.
What will I do in my free time?
In London, you’ll have plenty of time to get to know the city during our class field trips, but you will also have time to explore on your own with new friends from class. Would you like to catch a play in the West End? Take Insta-worthy photos and explore the colors and flavors of Notting Hill for your travel blog? Ever been curious about how figgy pudding really tastes? Discover your favorite new bookstore on Booksellers Row? Meet your roommates for afternoon tea and scones? Watch a football match alongside passionate fans? Your instructors will also organize optional excursions, perhaps to see some of London’s Roman ruins, or the Egyptian Avenue at Highgate Cemetery. The city is ready to be explored!
What will I take away from this experience?
While participating in this program, you will gain a cultural awareness of the interconnectedness of global economic, political, and social systems as you study British literature and culture in London and Cambridge. You’ll engage in meaningful interactions with local Londoners – including immigrants from around the world – as you develop new intercultural competencies, inclusive communication skills, and a growing appreciation for one of the most diverse and culturally rich cities in the world. You’ll learn about literary culture and history in London and Cambridge, you’ll create your own travel writing essays while exploring these cities, you’ll discover how professional communicators reach out to global audiences, and you’ll craft your own fictional stories while discovering the epic story of Great Britain!
Why should I study abroad?
Our academic classes in London will allow us to approach our curriculum in a truly inclusive and interdisciplinary way. You will gain proficiency in your coursework as you receive indelible impressions in the areas of international cuisine, contemporary fashion, and human history—all while developing the cultural competencies and sophisticated worldview of the experienced traveler. Come see why studying abroad is often the richest and most memorable adventure of the college experience!
