As part of an effort to recruit more students from David Lipscomb High School to Lipscomb University, the university offered a trip to London for any DLHS senior who chose to attend college at Lipscomb.
Oxford - Photo Credit: Sarah Faith Taylor
The eight-day trip departed July 23 and will return July 31. Students are staying in the dormitories of the century-old Imperial College London, and as part of the trip, each new Bison will receive a three-hour humanities credit.
This first-time program is part of an ever-expanding international curriculum Lipscomb has put together in order to broaden the cultural, communication, arts and business minds of students.
Led by Randy Lowry, president of Lipscomb University; and Mike Fernandez, chair of theatre Department; students will be immersed into British culture through theatrical performances, religious services and local cuisine, among other activities. Students will witness the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, a trip to Oxford University, a workshop at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and a visit to the Houses of Parliament.
Students will even have the opportunity to experience a local worship service with the All Soul’s Church and will be greeted each morning with a full English breakfast. Near the end of the week, students will have a chance to travel in groups to either Windsor Castle, the Natural History Museum, Tate’s Modern Art Museum or Cotswolds – the birthplace of Shakespeare.
“We are having a great time in London,” said Mike Fernandez via email. “We have been many places and talked with some great people.Among them Dr. Michael Ward, considered to be a preeminent C.S. Lewis scholar.”
“British people have been very receptive,” Fernandez said. “I spoke with a fabulous family from Liverpool while visiting the Eagle and Child Pub. This is the place that C.S. Lewis and his great friend J.R.R. Tolkien would meet and share their ideas.”
“There is still much to do. My favorite part will certainly be visiting the Globe theatre tomorrow.”
As part of their trip, students are keeping a daily log on Facebook, detailing their thoughts and impressions from the day’s activities. Craig Harwell, a student on the trip, had this to say about meeting C.S. Lewis scholar, Michael Ward:
“We woke up bright and early and rode our coach to Oxford. Once there we jumped right in to our lecture with Dr. Michael Ward, author of the Narnia Code. I was fascinated as I listened to him recount his discovery of the secret code that C.S. Lewis embedded into his world-famous Chronicles of Narnia series. We were so blessed to be able to hear from a scholar who is considered the top expert in the world on Lewis’s literature. We even got to share a traditional tea time with him.”
Harwell later discussed touring the town surrounding Oxford, even mentioning that a great deal of the Harry Potter movies were filmed in the area.
Students have spoken very highly of the trip thus far, and readers should check the Facebook link throughout the week for further updates.
The trip is near its midway point and will be capped off Saturday night when the group is set to sail the Thames River on a dinner cruise.