Study Abroad

Elizabeth Parks '09: A Semester in Bath, England

I studied abroad in Bath, England with the Advanced Studies in England (ASE) program during the Spring 2008 semester. While only one of the classes I took was listed as a Women & Gender Studies class - a seminar on Jane Austen's work - the majority of them touched upon gender issues, and I was able to write several papers on topics concerning gender and sexuality.

In my Jane Austen class, we read and analyzed each of her novels, drawing out themes, social commentary, and how Austen addressed the role of women during her time. I wrote a very interesting paper on the use of sexualities within Mansfield Park and Sense & Sensibility, examining how Austen employed "deviant" sexualities and highlighting the underlying meaning within her subtle text. We also took a class trip to Winchester to see Jane Austen's grave and to Chawton, where she lives in a cottage on her brother's estate. At her brother's main house, there is now an extensive research library devoted to women writers. This trip was very informative, and I hope to return someday in order to conduct research in the Austen library.

In my Modern British Political History class, we studied numerous issues concerning women and their rights. One particular issue we discussed was the effect of the World Wars on women and gender roles. I wrote a paper on Dr. Marie Stopes, a pioneer for sexual education and birth control. Being in a foreign country allowed me to think more broadly; I was able to examine the larger picture of women's issues, not simply from an American perspective.

Studying abroad was an experience I will never forget. It has given me invaluable insights. Stepping outside of what you are familiar with allows you to view issues from a new perspective. Through my classes, personal experiences in England, and the independent traveling I did, I was able to gain a new appreciation for my WGS major and have a desire to study topics I had never before considered.