Study Abroad

English majors gain new perspectives, whether they are seeing King Lear at the Globe in London or travel writing in Italy. 

Discover Spoleto

For over a decade, students from the College of Charleston have spent parts of May and June in Spoleto, Italy—a hilltop town with ancient roots, great food, and gorgeous views—studying and practicing the art of autobiography and travel writing. The two courses offered provide credits toward the College's general education requirement and they also fulfill English major/minor credits.  

The program fee includes transport to Spoleto from the Rome airport and back, apartment-style accommodations with a shared bedroom (separate beds) at Villa Tota in downtown Spoleto, a crash course in Italian language and culture, an all-inclusive three-day drip to Florence filled with food and cultural experiences, a day-trip to Assisi, explorations of Spoleto and its environs, a winery experience, truffle-hunting, a cooking class with a master chief, three formal group dinners, and some additional meals and snacks along the way: gelato! pizza on the terrace! 

Spoleto, Italy

view of town of spoleto
group of students in spoleto, Italy
students writing in spoleto, Italy
cooking class in spoleto
truffle hunting
 
 

CofC students interested in travel writing and literature have been returning to Spoleto, Italy—Charleston's Sister City— for over a decade. Perched atop a hill, the ancient city of Spoleto overlooks the vast Umbrian valley to the North. This past spring, professors Anton Vander Zee and Gary Jackson led a group of 16 students on an adventure that included a weekend in Florence alongside a range of excursions: truffle hunting in the foothills around Pettino, a private wine tasting, multi-course group dinners, and a bike excursion along the stunning converted Spoleto-Norcia railway. Classes were held at the famed Hotel Gattapone overlooking the sacred forests of Monteluco and just steps from the iconic Ponte della Torre—the "bridge of towers" used as an aqueduct in Roman times. Students were also able to take advantage of a long free weekend, taking trips to Rome, the Amalfi Coast, Pompei, and Orvieto. Professors Gary Jackson and Yunah Kae are already planning next year's study abroad adventure!

London, UK

view of city of London
group of English students in London
group in London
London view
 
 

In June 2022, Professor Carens and 13 students traveled to London to study British Gothic literature. The class focused on classic and lesser-known Gothic narratives: Austen’s Northanger Abbey, Brontë’s Wuthering Heights, Stevenson’s Jekyll and Hyde, Conan Doyle’s “Lot No. 249,” Machen’s The Great God Pan, Stoker’s Dracula, and Wilde’s Picture of Dorian Gray. To better understand these works, we sought out urban and rural sites associated with Gothic monstrosity: ruined cathedrals, overgrown graveyards, and crooked alleys. In addition to London, the class visited Bath, Oxford, and some quaint country villages. We made good use of the theater as well, seeing King Lear (at the Globe no less), Phantom of the Opera, My Fair Lady, and The Woman in Black. Also, the odd pub was visited.

Florence, Italy

florence italy view
group photo in florence
cooking class in Florence Italy
 
 

In the Spring 2022 semester, Professors Celeste Lacroix (Communications), Cara Delay (History), and Colleen Glenn (English) led a study abroad trip to Florence, Italy. The 26 students took a range of courses in topics such as Italian History, Slow Cinema, and Communication Practices. With sustainability as their theme, the group also learned about the Slow Food movement, which was born in Italy, by visiting Slow Food producers in and around Tuscany, sampling artisanal chocolate, gelato, truffles, cheese, wine, and other products. The program offered a unique study abroad opportunity in the birth places of the Renaissance and the Slow Food movement. It was good to be back abroad!