[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
If you\u2019ve been thinking about traveling abroad while you\u2019re a student at Winona State, I can\u2019t recommend it enough. Let me tell you about my experience traveling to England this summer.<\/span><\/p>\n This faculty-led travel study was roughly 3 and a half weeks long and run by English professors Andrew Higl and Liberty Kohn.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We spent the first portion exploring Alnwick and the second in London. Learn more about some of the major trip highlights:<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2025\/08\/engblog1.jpg” title_text=”engblog1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_blurb title=”Alnwick” content_max_width=”1100px” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h2″ body_text_align=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Let me just start by saying that we stayed in a castle. Yep, you heard me right. We stayed in Alnwick Castle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n To prepare for the trip, we learned about the history of castle ruins, so staying in one IRL was a great culture shock. Textbooks can only do Alnwick Castle so much justice. Plus, it was a filming location for both \u201cHarry Potter\u201d and \u201cDowntown Abbey,\u201d so the Film Studies major in me totally nerded out over that.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n With streets of cobblestone and aged buildings, Alnwick is full of history. It also has deep roots with England\u2019s infamous Percy family, who actually own Alnwick Castle. We learned about the Percy family and how they\u2019re related to the British royal family. We even got to explore the castle staterooms, which gave us a glimpse into living like a royal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Because the overarching themes of our class were poets, priests, and prisoners, many of our day trips focused on churches left in ruins and those still functioning after the English Reformation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n My favorite adventures include climbing the picturesque ruins of Dustenborough Castle (queue an image of sheep grazing right next to the sea), walking the Royal Mile in Scotland, and visiting a Viking museum.<\/span><\/p>\n We learned a lot about medieval England and what life looked like back in the 15th century. It was surreal to experience the same places and tread the same paths that historical figures we read about had themselves.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We were also immersed in a time of history marking the beginning of bookmaking. Getting to view ancient manuscripts and reflect on where literature originated from was a very cool moment as a Creative Writing minor.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2025\/08\/engblog3.jpg” title_text=”engblog3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_blurb title=”London” content_max_width=”1100px” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h2″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n After Alnwick, we trekked to London, where we dove into topics like crime and punishment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We explored the infamous Tower of London and went on a walking crime tour of the city to learn about London\u2019s dark past. And you guessed it: that included Jack the Ripper.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The themes from our first half of class also carried into London, where we visited Westminster Abbey and St. Paul\u2019s Cathedral. We also got a detailed look at London\u2019s art scene, from roaming the Tate Modern to taking a guided deviant street art tour across the city. It was fun to learn about deviance and how it can be something as simple as a graffiti tag.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Another highlight from our time in London was watching live theatre. Our class attended \u201cRomeo and Juliet\u201d at Shakespeare\u2019s Globe and \u201cMy Master Builder,\u201d starring Ewan McGregor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n And since the night was our own, many of us traveled to the West End to catch even more shows, including \u201cMean Girls,\u201d \u201cThe Great Gatsby,\u201d \u201cMoulin Rouge,\u201d and \u201cHadestown.\u201d The theatre kid inside me was screaming!<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2025\/08\/engblog2.jpg” title_text=”engblog2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_heading title=”Final Words” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n If you have the opportunity to study abroad during your time at Winona State, I highly recommend it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I\u2019ve always heard other people say it\u2019ll be the most memorable credits you experience during your college career, and they\u2019re right.<\/span><\/p>\n Not only do you get to travel the world for a price undoubtedly cheaper than a solo trip, but also you\u2019ll meet new friends who share your same interests. I made so many fond memories on this trip that will last forever, and I learned so much that I never knew about England.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The best part is that there wasn\u2019t much I had to do to plan for the trip. Pretty much everything was already taken care of, from the pre-departure packing list to the itinerary to payment and passport support.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_testimonial author=”Lucy Severson ’26” job_title=”Film Studies major and Creative Writing minor” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n \u201cAll and all, traveling through Winona State was very convenient and stress free.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n