International school with a local flavour
Fourteen students from Australia, USA, the Netherlands, Italy, China, Japan and Hong Kong participated in the four-week academic experience which ran throughout July. With the emphasis placed firmly on the local area, students were exposed to the best Leeds and Yorkshire have to offer, both in terms of academic study and a varied social programme.
The extensive local influence is evident in the modules, which covered the following subjects:
- The English Country House: A Social History
- British Popular Music in the North of England
- British Literature and the Brontës
- The Olympic Games – Sport in the UK
Each module incorporated a full-day fieldtrip, as well as shorter visits and excursions to sites of cultural interest such as Kirkstall Abbey, York and Leeds Royal Armouries.
The modules on offer were worth 10 Leeds credits each, giving students the opportunity to transfer 20 credits back to their home university.
In addition to the academic modules, students enjoyed a welcome reception, theatre trips, film nights, sporting events and an overnight trip to London, all of which were organised by LISS.
“With the launch of the University’s Internationalisation Strategy, the new Summer School is an example of the ‘strategy in action’,” said Helen Burdette from the Study Abroad Office. “As we aim to diversify our international activities across campus, LISS is an area where there is great potential for further development and growth”.
LISS student Dorris from the Netherlands is studying Law at her home university. She said: “The classes have all been interesting. One of the reasons I came to the Summer School was to improve my English and I really like the way English history and culture have been integrated into the programme – it’s been much more enjoyable than just taking an English language course. The fieldtrips have been great too – especially York and Whitby.”
Jiayi is studying Biology at her university in China, and found the modules on literature a refreshing change: “It’s been good to learn about the Brontës and other English literature, especially as it’s nothing I’ve explored before. I’ve really enjoyed making lots of friends and the organisers have been great, helping me through the application process and organising my visa, and making sure we all learn a lot and have fun.”
