Bye-Bye Blair
It’s 1:15 p.m. in London on 27 June, and we are in London watching the historical handover of power in England: Tony Blair just walked out of the door at 10 Downing St. before being whisked away in a limo bound for Buckingham Palace where he will have his last audience with the Queen. Next up, Gordon Brown takes over as Prime Minister. He’s on his way to Buckingham Palace where His Majesty the Queen will officially welcome him as the new government leader.
As this shift in political power in the UK takes place during the first week of our arrival, it’s turning out to be an interesting time for students in the SMU London program. It adds to the significance of our visit to Parliament next week, and will no doubt factor into the conversation we’ll have with Julian Brazier, an MP in the House of Commons.
Since students arrived last Friday we’ve been racing around from the double-decker bus tour, to the boat tour along the Thames, to Sunday services at St. Paul’s Cathedral, various walking tours throughout London, pub meetings, a field trip to the British Library and a visit to the British Museum, oh, and, of course, classes.
Our CCPA students have had the added challenge of starting their individual internships with international non-profit organizations (INGOs). Professor Kathy LaTour has managed to help 17 students find internships dealing with issues from gun control and women’s rights to climate control and children’s welfare. Dr. Craig Flournoy has his students reading newspapers, writing articles and visiting media sites across London. Dr. Sean Griffin is showing various British films and has added podcasting to his student’s activities. Professor Peter Noble has planned a number of advertising agency visits, journal activities among other projects. As always, London is our class lab, which means students incorporate free time with classwork.
Program assistant, Becky Hewitt is having a blast whilst juggling the zillions of details that go with the job. Liz Healy, TA for advertising and self-proclaimed “camp counselor” for 48 college students, is brewing lots of plans for student gatherings. I heard her mention organizing an 80’s Techno Prom. Huh? Okay. And me? I’m doing a little of everything and enjoying this great group.
Tonight we’re off to see “Sound of Music” in the West End. This weekend we’ll travel to Canterbury and to Ramsgate beach and harbor on the English Channel. We’ll go shopping in Portabello Market on Saturday morning, and Camden Town in the afternoon. We’ll hit Spitalfields market on Sunday, after church at Westminister Abbey. Some students are planning to travel to Paris, to Brighton Beach and to Ireland this weekend.
Lastly, we’ve launched a group on Facebook: SMU London 2007. Check out our trip photos thus far. Students are submitting their best shots for our program photo contest. Feel free to cast your vote on the best photo. We’ll give first, second and third-place prizes.
That’s all for now. Stay tuned.
–Nina
