Shakespeare in England and Italy
Zcherina Villegas | Majors: English, Anthropology | Minor: Honors
6 Minute Read
Class in england and italy
Over the summer, I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad in the class “Shakespeare in England and Italy,” led by Honors Dean Peter Parolin.
While abroad, we traveled to four places: Stratford-upon-Avon, London, Verona, and Venice. Much of the class work we had to do was done outside of the traditional classroom format, from watching plays at the RSC and the Globe, to touring the cities of Verona and Venice, we were able to not only study Shakespeare plays, but also experience the cultural impact of his works in real time. Many of the performances we watched adapted Shakespeare in ways that I had never thought of before. One of my favorites of these (although they were all amazing) was when we watched the traveling theatre company, The HandleBards, perform a version of Much Ado About Nothing. Sitting on a private green in the English countryside, we were able to sit up close and personal with even some members of the audience being invited to be a part of the performance.
"Before coming to UW, I never expected to study abroad."
While much of our class work focused on these plays, we were also given plenty of time to explore. Some of my favorite memories from this trip are the nights a group of us spent just walking around and exploring the spaces of the city, finding things to do. Our best experiences were often unplanned. Some of these moments include buying last-minute tickets to see Hadestown, spending an evening at a jazz club, visiting local stores and pubs, and so much more. On top of that, I got to try a wide variety of cuisine, from authentic Italian pasta and traditional English breakfasts to food from many different cultures.
If you're thinking about studying abroad, do it! Before coming to UW, I never expected to study abroad. Especially as a first-gen student, I had the idea that it would be completely out of my reach. But with generous help from the Honors College and the Education Abroad office, I was able to find opportunities that made this trip possible. There are numerous scholarships that UW has to offer, from the Cheney First-Gen to Gilman to Honors, and even departmental scholarships. I am sure there is something out there to help make this experience possible for you, just like it did for me. Studying abroad has quickly become one of the things I look forward to most during my time here. This first trip was not only a great educational experience but also a huge opportunity for personal growth, and it's an experience I can't wait to repeat.
