The Elm Student Newspaper
Kiplin Hall Program Set for Summer
By Bridget Romano
Elm Staff Writer
Kiplin Hall, a summer study abroad program in England and Ireland, is open to all students on campus and focuses on the study of Romantic poets while participants hike the English countryside. Dr. Richard Gillin, Chair of the English department, heads the trip that runs June 20 - July 10.
"We will be traveling everyday while over there. We will spend a lot of time in the Last District of England as well as places like Whitby and York and other parts of the UK," said Gillin.
The course, a study of Romantic poets, connects poets and their works to the English countryside while also exploring parts of the UK.
"The focus of the course, which is worth four credits, is to experience the landscape of these areas in relation to the literature written about these places, like the Lake District," said Gillin.
About two weeks will be spent in England at the Kiplin Hall student study center, and then students and chaperones will spend the rest of their time in Ireland. The group will also be able to explore Scotland for a day.
"We are now getting organized for this summer's program, but there's an urban myth, going around that the Kiplin Hall trip is only for English majors. It's not: it's open to everybody," said Gillin.
"The trip is particularly meaningful to people who have an interest in literature and writing and who are trying to view life as a narrative in process. Overall though, the trip was enjoyable for everyone, whether you were an English major or otherwise. I would definitely recommend this trip," said Shane Brill, '01.
"As a history major, the places we visited on the program were really interesting. These places are significant from a perspective of literature and significant from a cultural history perspective as well. There's definitely more to the trip than just some English program for English majors," added Brill.
"There are plenty of reasons why people should go. If you don't get to do a study abroad program, this trip would be a really good opportunity to have an experience similar to study abroad," said senior Carol Landis.
Alyssa Checkai, senior and English major, was on the roster for last year's trip.
"I wanted to go because I'd known a lot of other people who had gone who had a great time," said Checkai. "I think it's really cool to see what the Romantic poets were really writing about."
Many such poets, like William Wordsworth, wrote about the mountains of North England. The poets wrote about many of the mountains the students will climb while on the trip.
"When you get to see Michael's sheepfold [an area in the Lake District which Wordsworth wrote poetry about] and realize that the sheepfold was never finished and is just frozen in time, it brings an emotional aspect to the work you are studying.
"When you read a poem and then get to see the actual setting of the poetry, it's an amazing experience," said sophomore Lindsay Lusby.
"The hiking part of the trip was on a personal level, great. I really got to push my limits. I got to climb the tallest mountain in England, and reached the top. That was a totally new experience. I would definitely recommend it," said Landis.
Added Checkai, "I saw and did things on this trip that I would never have been able to do on my own."
"Students will have the chance to travel through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. Students should be willing to endure the physical act of climbing mountains and taking various day trips. Participants need to be able to roll with the daily demands of the program and to hike along various landscapes," said Gillin.
Added Landis, "You also get to experience the local life of the area; it's not just some trip and you're not playing the part of just the tourist. You really get to experience the area."
"Students are able to take part in everything from pub life to sharing in storytelling. From all my years hiking in the mountains of the Lake District I've never come across another American. We are enjoying the area off the tourist track," said Gillin.
Study abroad programs are a source of interest among the students as well as the faculty at WC.
English Professor Robert Day said that because of the wonderful experiences students have on the Kiplin Hall summer program, there should be a lot more seminars and summer programs available to WC students.
"Personally, I think there should be a Spring Break program for my Forms of Literature and Composition: Prose of Paris class. We should get to go to Paris during Spring Break. Otherwise students will go to Cancun, and that's not nearly as nice or as educational," said Day.
This year's Kiplin Hall program will cost each participating student about $5,900 due to raised air fees and fuel prices.
But despite the price those who have gone on the trip feel that it's worth every penny.
"For me, the fact that after nine years I still get excited about the beauty of the landscapes and that the scenery still captivates me is wonderful. Students will fall in love with what are some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. Overall the trip is very rewarding," added Gillin.
Information on the program can be found on the summer program's website, http://english.washcoll.edu/kiplin_hall/ or by contacting Dr. Richard Gillin by e-mail at rgillin2@washcoll.edu.
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