Scholars Abroad

“Gee—there’s no night between England and America!”  Such was the comment of one weary, jet-lagged OSU student on arrival in Cambridge, England for the start of an ambitious summer program in July: “Biology, Joyce, and the Irish Colonial Experience.”  Sponsored by Academic Affairs, the Office of Scholar Development, and the Lew Wentz Foundation (which supplied scholarship support), the course was planned by two outstanding OSU professors, Dr. Ed Walkiewicz of English Dept., and Dr. Doren Recker, Philosophy.   After two weeks at beautiful Magdalene College, Cambridge (a regular summer meeting place now for OSU students) for study of the history of science and various associated cultural and ethnic beliefs in earlier times, the group ferried to Dublin, Ireland for another week studying the literature of James Joyce, and how those beliefs affected his writing.  Nineteen undergraduate students, representing several areas of the university took part.

While in Magdalene, the students participated in many activities familiar to Cambridge visitors, leisurely “punts” down the famous River Cam past St. Johns, Trinity, and Kings Colleges; tours of the Fitzwilliam and Whipple (Science) museums, Evensongs in several glorious chapels; Shakespeare in the Gardens; and many walks down ancient and colorful streets.  In addition, Claire Preston, a faculty member of Sidney Sussex College explained the unusual system of education (for Americans) that characterizes the “Oxbridge” approach.  Rebecca Stott, a professor who writes widely in the sciences and is now a best-selling novelist, explained the origins of her most recent book, “Ghostwalk,” which incorporates Cambridge history with some bizarre threads of Newton’s life with a contemporary love story, and then took the OSU group on a tour of some of the sites that pop up in her book.  As has become customary for the OSU group, A&S Dean Peter Sherwood, a graduate of Magdalene College, joined the program for a look at some historical and architectural wonders associated with the area.  And using their proximity to many European wonders, the students used their “free weekend” to travel far and wide, including Paris, Scotland, London and the rest of England, and this year’s winner of the distance award. . .Sweden (anything’s possible with Ryan Air these days).

Crossing England and Wales during the heavy storms that flooded central England just after departure, the OSU bus boarded a “ferry” (more like a cruise-ship) for the 4 hour trip to Ireland, and were then bused to beautiful and historical Trinity College, Dublin,  a city in the middle of historic growth due to the strong economy it currently enjoys.  Trinity houses the famous Book of Kells, and in the surrounding blocks are all manner of historical sites associated with the Irish battle for independence and, of course, landmarks associated with the important works of James Joyce: (Dubliners, Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Ulysses).  When not in class, the students visited all that and more, plus enjoyed amazing tours of the Irish Parliament and the Irish Supreme Court, courtesy of an Irish writer and a barrister acquainted with program Director, Bob Graalman.  Of all the events in both locations, perhaps the most thrilling occurred on the penultimate night of the program, when students, faculty, and guests (several alums and friends OSU had joined for various segments of the Cambridge and Dublin activities) attended a “Dead Dinner” in a beautiful restored Irish house.  In Joyce’s famous story, “The Dead,” a group of early 20th century friends and family celebrate the Christmas season around a well-stocked table of fine food and drink, entertain each other with song and dance, and chat long into the night about family, history, Ireland, England, opera, and the transience of life.  On this occasion, OSU students were actually in the house Joyce used for his story (and later for a film version), eating the very food items he described, listening to songs that were sung in the story, performing scenes from the story, etc.  It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity which none there will ever forget for its warmth, excitement, and “connection” to a most famous literary document.

While such events are the highlight of any such trip, what has made Scholar Development outings such as this successful is the performance and enthusiasm of the students, the support by scores of OSU officials “behind the scenes,” (Arts and Sciences Outreach provides coordination), financial gifts from alums to help defray costs, and hard-working faculty who put the whole thing together.  While last summer’s program might seem hard to match, plans are already in place for summer ’08 in Cambridge, this time somewhat a change to a study of leadership traditions in the United Kingdom, with panels involving local scholars and OSU celebrities, and concluding with a visit to Churchill College for a few interesting hours with the Director of the Churchill Archives, planned and taught by Professor Steve Harrist of the College of Education.  For several lucky OSU students and OSU alums and donors, it will be another chance to brighten their summer, even if it means they miss a night on the way over!