Summer Study in "The Castle" England

Testimonials from England Summer 2008

 

“My trip to Harlaxton was the best experience of my life! Any literature lover should take advantage of this amazing opportunity. One of my favorite experiences was visiting the Bronte Parsonage and the moors, which is the setting of Wuthering Heights. No classroom at TCNJ could have brought Wuthering Heights more to life .While walking the moors and visiting Emily Bronte's home, I felt such a strong connection to Wuthering Heights which I will never forget. The influence of landscape upon literature can only be truly comprehended through personal experience. Thus, Harlaxton is really an opportunity of a lifetime.”

                                            --Melissa Nemitz (first-year student, Elementary Ed. Major)

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“With aspirations of becoming a future English teacher, this class was inspiring and informative.  Literary landscapes, taught by Dr. Tarter, truly brought literature to life. From visiting Stratford upon Avon where Shakespeare was born, to walking the moors that moved Emily Bronte, to reliving Dracula by looking at the landscape of Whitby, the literature came to life before my very eyes.  To anyone who is thinking of taking this course, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity.  I have never experienced literature so deeply, acted so spontaneously, or seen so many fascinating places.  I have also developed wonderful friendships with the girls on this trip, and I know that our friendship will last a lifetime.  I encourage all to take this class; you will love every second of every minute of each day! “

                                                          --Lauren Heimlich (junior, English/Teaching major)

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“This trip provided me the most amazing experience of my life. As an English major, it is an absolute must to bring the literature of the everyday to life. Sitting on the edge of a cemetery on a cliff overlooking the North Sea, hearing the words of Bram Stoker's Dracula describing the exact spot I was standing--well, that was just beyond words. Walking the same moors that Emily Bronte wrote about in Wuthering Heights made me understand how important that place was to her, and why she would have been so drawn to it. The true beauty of this trip is that it allows the literature to jump off the page, and you feel as if you are experiencing the love and joys and pains right along with the characters.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that you simply cannot pass up. All I can say is don't let the money or the time away from your friends and family deter you from signing up, because the rewards you will get out of this trip are innumerable. You have two weekends of travel to visit whatever places you want, be that Ireland or France, or even just a weekend of exploring London. You will not be short on things to do! This will really be the best trip you will ever go on, so don't pass it up!”

                                                              --Emily VanderHorn (graduate student, English)

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"Life changing. That’s the only word that can describe Dr. Tarter’s LIT 370 “Literary Landscapes”.  The other participants of the program and I encountered the wonder and mysticism of the English culture that only a handful of people get to study. For us, literature came to life in a way that a TCNJ classroom could never accomplish. We unearthed the magic of the English countryside that inspired the greatest writers of the past and present. We walked in the footsteps of Bram Stoker, J.K Rowling, Emily Bronte, William Shakespeare and many other geniuses that altered the face of history. We, a group of 20 TCNJ students, lived and breathed the same influential power that created the very books we venerate in English classes back home. For me, this was more than a class – it was an experience of a lifetime.”

                                                 --Lillian Ruffo (first-year student, Elementary Ed. major)

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“England was an amazing experience. I've traveled abroad before but this time, I definitely made the most of my time there. See as much as you can, not just the cities but the countryside; some of my favorite places were natural sites like Sherwood Forest and the White Cliffs of Dover. With the British Rail pass, I was able to see parts of England that we didn't get to see in class. Four weeks goes by so quickly, so take advantage of everything.”

                                                               --Caitlyn Camacho (sophomore, English major)

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"This trip is something EVERYONE should go on. The experience of bringing literature to life is amazing, but more importantly, you will learn so much about yourself. I am so much more independent and empowered as a result of this trip, and I truly believe that I can do anything."

-- Nicole M. Hansen (junior, Special Ed.-Math/ Science/Technology double major)