When I talk to prospective students about attending UCLA, one of the primary benefits I speak most to is the opportunities available to students, no matter what their major or distinction.  One of those opportunities is Studying Abroad and Travel Study.  I am lucky enough to be able to take advantage of this great opportunity.  On Thursday (tomorrow!), I will be traveling to London and Stratford-Upon-Avon to study Shakespeare.  As a student, I am thrilled to participate in this program.  As a student of English, I am PUMPED to flex my literary muscles in a historic city that gave influence and direction to the classic literature we have come to know.  LONDON!!  Can you believe it!?

Through the Travel Study program, I will be going to performances of Shakespeare’s plays in theaters such as the Globe Theater where Shakespeare’s plays were originally performed.  I will also have the opportunity to speak to the actors, directors, and producers of the plays in order to gain some perspective about performing these legendary stories.  Our program will also venture to many historic sites like the British Museum, Westminster Abbey, Parliament, etc.  As someone who has never been out of this country, I am nervous/anxious/excited to travel to such an amazing, thriving city (even though it is one of the most expensive cities in this world)!  Given this sheltered American life I’ve lead, my best friend Katherine and I will be taking advantage of a 3-day weekend and travel to Dublin, Ireland AND (given the chance) possibly Scotland.  What more could I ask for?  Not much, that’s what.

Needless to say I am thoroughly excited about this trip; I think anyone would be.  This is a great opportunity I have through the UCLA English Department and I couldn’t be more grateful to them, my parents, and the Bruins.  I’ll be gone the whole month of August (and will be blogging from London!) but I’m sure it won’t be nearly enough time to conquer the city—I’ll just have to make a return trip sometime in the future, I guess.  Anyway, I can’t wait to see what’s in store but I’m sure it will be fantastic.  Thank you Mom, Dad, UCLA, and GO BRUINS!!