On January 14-25, 12 Tusculum College students studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain, alongside Heather Patterson, chair of the Tusculum College English department and associate professor of English, as a part of Tusculum’s global studies program.
As part of the course “Seminar in Literature and Society,” the class focused on how writers respond to or take the lead on topics of global importance, the complexity of world issues and the diversity of perspectives internationally.
Students participating included Meagan Talley, a junior math education major from Fairview; Jessica Kagias, a junior education major from Middlesboro, Ky.; Melissa Mauceri, a senior journalism major from Pigeon Forge; Herchell Bridges, a junior athletic training major from Fairview; Destini Wingerter, a senior English major from Bristol; Katie Capel, a senior digital media major from Waverly; Carnes White, a junior creative writing major from Montgomery, Ala.; Andrew Hollingshead, a sophomore graphic design major from Tellico Plains; Jeffery Peck, a junior business management major from Tazewell; Trenikia Shelton, a senior journalism major from Memphis; Andrea Wilcox, a junior athletic training major from Knoxville, and Amanda Grempel, a senior athletic training major from Blakeslee, Pa.
Students visited several sites and went on many tours in Barcelona, including the George Orwell walking tour. For the class students had been assigned to read Orwell’s “Homage to Catalonia.” On the tour they visited the Museum of the History of the City, as well as a cathedral during the walking tour of the Gothic Quarter. They took an excursion of Montserrat, home to the Virgin of Montserrat, and a tour of La Sagrada Familia. Other stops included a visit to the National Museum of Catalan Art and tours of Eixample, which gave students a chance to learn about Modernista architecture, and El Borne.
“Barcelona was the most beautiful place I have ever been,” said Talley. “Learning about a place while actually being there was an experience I will never forget,” added Wingerter. “Barcelona was by far the most incredible journey I have ever experienced. The city was beautiful, and I hope I get a chance to visit it again someday.”
The students all seemed to be struck by Barcelona’s beauty. Hollingshead said, “My favorite part of Barcelona was relaxing and reading in the garden and the beautiful photogenic opportunities of the city.”
After returning to Tusculum the group shared their experience with a photo presentation of their academic trip for the campus population. The students described all of the tours and talked about Barcelona’s history and culture.
By Melissa Mauceri, senior journalism major from Pigeon Forge