Highlights: This is really hard because I really did enjoy so many things! Firstly, Professor Post, the faculty accompaniment, is absolutely amazing. He is funny and engaging. Secondly, I NEVER in my wildest dreams thought I would like Shakespeare. I knew I was supposed to appreciate him, but never thought I would enjoy it. I was wrong! Actually seeing the productions gave me such a different perspective and suddenly Shakespeare sense! Another incredible feature is that we had so many guest speakers during our lectures. Everyone from a costume designer, to lead actors, to Assistant Directors. It was really great to learn about so many different aspects of the theater. Also, it is a great way to boost your GPA if you are an English major at UCLA.
I think the non-academic highlight is twofold. Firstly, London is incredible! Stratford is nice, but it is nothing compared with London. I loved traveling and doing day trips to Bath and Oxford also. Secondly, our group became very close because we were with each other for three weeks straight. It was the people that really made the trip and even in such a dinky town like Stratford, we still managed to have the best time ever.
Morning: I am a gym goer and luckily our hotel in Stratford-Upon-Avon had a gym! So I would wake up and go to the gym and then I would go to the continental breakfast. I would head back to my room to get ready for the day and we had class at 10 or 11 depending on the day.
Afternoon: Afternoons were usually filled with lectures; we would then go into Stratford and find some lunch (or afternoon tea!) or explore one of the many the sightseeing places. Some days our classes included an added "discussion" which typically lasted around 50 minutes. Classes were always relevant and interesting.
Evening: Most evenings we would have plans to watch a production. Food was always provided before these events - it was great because all of the students would get dressed up and dine together before walking the few blocks over the theater. After the curtain closed, our group would head to The Dirty Duck, the local pub where the actors would go.