麻豆传媒

Eleanor Metz 鈥�27 did more than study Roman history this summer. She lived it in the 18th-century city of Bath, one of England鈥檚 most significant cultural sites.

Franklin & Marshall鈥檚 longtime collaborator in Bath is (ASE), which has offered study-abroad experiences at the highest level to American undergraduates for more than three decades.

The program is one of many things that drew Metz, an anthropology major and music performance minor from Emmitsburg, Md., to 麻豆传媒.

鈥淎 liberal arts experience was the best route for me,鈥� Metz said. 鈥淚 like how you can do a lot with music, but at the same time dedicate yourself to other passions.鈥�

Now back on campus, you鈥檒l find Metz assisting at the Phillips Museum of Art, writing for or dabbling in various musical pursuits, including piano, chorus and symphonic wind ensemble.

As told by Eleanor Metz '27

Boarding the plane back to the U.S. was bittersweet as I reminisced on my summer in Bath. While my classes were rigorous, I have never had a more enriching and fun experience. Studying the Roman period in Britain 鈥� just a brief walk from the famed Roman Bath thermal springs 鈥� allowed for immersive history and archaeology lessons. What I miss most is the day-to-day routine: classes, going to the park, grocery shopping and hanging out with my flatmates.

One of my favorite aspects of ASE was the emphasis on study trips. My core course, 鈥淩omans in Britain,鈥� went to the Roman Baths, the Corinium Museum in Cirencester and a Roman amphitheater. A favorite memory from this class visit was the rare opportunity to observe and handle Roman and Celtic collections at the museum and explore behind-the-scenes functioning of museum collections. This was very inspiring since I hope to pursue a graduate program in museum anthropology or public history after I complete my undergraduate degree.

My seminar class, 鈥淕ods, Heroes and Monsters in Western Mythology,鈥� focused on classical literature as well as texts from other parts of the Western world. Over the course of five weeks, our class studied Homer鈥檚 鈥淭he Iliad鈥� and 鈥淭he Odyssey,鈥� 鈥淭he Epic of Gilgamesh,鈥� 鈥淏eowulf,鈥� 鈥淭he Tain鈥� and 鈥淭he Poetic Edda.鈥� For someone who loves reading, this class was perfect.

"I grew so much as a student and as a person during my five weeks in Bath. I know that this experience has set me up to succeed both academically and in my chosen career path. I recommend ASE to any student looking for a unique, challenging and memorable study abroad experience."

鈥� Eleanor Metz '27

During the last weekend of the program, our class went on a weekend study trip to London鈥檚 British Museum to see the ancient Greek gallery and a Gilgamesh tablet. We also visited the London Mithraeum, an underground temple used by the Cult of Mithras, a mystery religion that flourished across the Roman empire. 

While academics were challenging and pushed me to be a better student, I also had a lot of time to travel across the U.K. I found independent travel to be extremely fulfilling and confidence-boosting. Having to navigate public transportation, travel plans, safety and other logistics as an independent female traveler cultivates independence and resilience. I was excited to travel solo to Wales, Stonehenge and nearby Avebury, Oxford and the Cotswolds, as well as London. My trips to Stonehenge and Avebury were particularly inspiring for me since I have a passion for Neolithic Britain. 

While I enjoyed seeing famous sites, the most meaningful experience was a trip to a lesser-known location, Stoney Littleton Long Barrow 鈥� one of the only Neolithic chambered tombs where visitors can actually enter. I rented a bicycle and utilized the U.K.鈥檚 amazing cycling routes to bike to the town of Wellow. After searching for an hour 鈥� drenched in sweat and half-dehydrated 鈥� I finally found the long barrow. Crawling inside the 6,000-year-old monument was unforgettable.

I grew so much as a student and as a person during my five weeks in Bath. I know that this experience has set me up to succeed both academically and in my chosen career path. I recommend ASE to any student looking for a unique, challenging and memorable study abroad experience.

"While my classes were rigorous, I have never had a more enriching and fun experience."

鈥� Eleanor Metz '27

Off-Campus Study

Off-campus study experiences aren鈥檛 simply time away from campus. They鈥檙e meaningfully woven into your entire academic journey at 麻豆传媒. Find your next great adventure, whether it be a semester-long program, a summer internship or an immersive research project.

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