“Studying abroad has added to my total student experience because I’ve been able to visit the homes of authors who I’ve read throughout the past four years of undergrad. As a college student in Lima, I’m grateful to have met other Ohio State students from other campuses who share the same interests as me,” reflected Nicole Pohlman, an English major who studied abroad on the Literature and Culture of London program last summer.
Led by the Department of English and Ohio State Libraries, students develop an understanding of how mass-produced popular literature reflected and stoked Victorian-era concerns and met public demand for accessible entertainment.
“This learning experience was different than other courses because of the various ‘classroom’ settings we had. While meeting every couple of days in an actual classroom, we often had discussions outside at parks, museums, theaters or libraries. Some of our discussions were done during walking tours with tour guides, stopping frequently at various locations to learn about the history of the area,” she said.
The program uses London’s rich cultural history, iconic locations and archival spaces to guide students on an exploration of the mid-to-late nineteenth century, when the popular press was growing and capturing the Victorian-era public’s imagination.
“My biggest takeaway from this program is to not be afraid to try new things and take a leap of faith. Before the program began, I was scared to navigate London and its underground train system. However, after learning how to travel in the tubes, I felt comfortable to travel independently on my own, which is an experience I’m grateful for.”
Through involved research at the British Library, which is one of the largest libraries in the world, and other impactful experiences throughout her academic career, Pohlman will continue her love of this topic by pursuing a master’s degree in library and information sciences at Kent State University after graduation.
“If someone was contemplating about doing a study abroad program, I would tell them to DO IT. Someone could be discouraged from enrolling for a number of reasons (finance, timing, etc.), but study abroad opportunities are truly once-in-a-lifetime. A concern I had for this program was finances, but Ohio State provides countless scholarship opportunities for students who plan to study abroad,” encouraged Pohlman.