The View From 101 - Honors Abroad

I'm writing this piece from Bath, England--to be honest, from a pub in this beautiful World Heritage City. I'm gathering my thoughts after an intensive day visiting a top study abroad program, Advanced Studies in England (ASE). Throughout my time as honors director I have encouraged students to study abroad, whether for a year or a semester or as part of a short-term program. But encouragement isn't always enough. Concrete plans and opportunities have to be developed. I'm happy to describe two such opportunities here.

The first is ASE in Bath. ASE is a rigorous semester-long academic program that also offers close support for its students and a variety of ways to engage with the larger community. It strikes me as very much like Merrimack Honors. Along with exciting classes--I sat in no fewer than four today--it offers a variety of internships and has pre-practicum placements in area schools for education students. They also offer one-on-one research with experts from almost every field. Many of the instructors are visiting faculty from Oxford. I was very impressed, and think this would be perfect for students in Merrimack Honors.

The second opportunity is what brought me to England in the first place. Fifteen Merrimack students, along with Lisa Cavallaro, have just returned to the U.S. after completing the first ever Honors international experience, HON3099: London, the City as Text. (They returned to the states at the end of March break, while I stayed on for my visit to ASE.) The course, I believe, was a great success, and Lisa and I are already planning to offer it again next year over spring break. We hope you will begin to think about joining us for an unforgettable short-term travel study experience.

Study abroad rewards its participants with personal growth, confidence, and a perspective that cannot be gained any other way. I encourage you to consider it. Doing so could turn out to be an invaluable part of your education.

Cheerio!

Dr. B