Engineering the Castles and Cathedrals of England and Wales

1.     My signature project was a study abroad trip called Engineering the Castles and Cathedrals of England and Wales. The premise of the trip was that each student spent three months before our departure studying one specific site, then led a presentation/tour at the actual site. Studying a site in detail allowed for students to develop a strong connection to the site, and it made the first time seeing the site in person very special.

 

2.     Studying the castles and cathedrals of England and Wales was one of the greatest things I have ever done. With this trip being my first time abroad, I was exposed to many new types of people, cultures, and ideas. I made it my goal to speak to as many locals as possible and learn about their ways of life. Many locals were more than happy to share their culture with me and teach me about their history. I learned that while America is a fantastic place to live, other countries are also very proud of their heritage. And while people across the globe may have drastically different looks and lifestyles, all humans are similar at the core. Going forward, I will be even more open to learning from people who are different from me.

 

3.     Several specific events and interactions during the trip led to my personal transformation. My site assignment was Caernarfon Castle, and I thoroughly enjoyed the three months of studying it prior to the trip. However, I was still completely awe-struck the moment I stepped into the castle for the first time. Its sheer size and beauty could not have been captured in any of the pictures I had seen before. I had the time of my life exploring its endless spiral staircases and winding corridors for hours. Knowing so much of the history beforehand made this a powerful moment that I will never forget.

Another key event took place in a backpackers’ lodge in Chepstow, Wales, called the Greenman. Here, Mic, the owner of the lodge took significant time out of his day to hang out with us and teach us about the wild traditions of Welsh culture. He told us about the annual festival where they drink lots of cider and march a decorated horse skull across the England-Wales border as a sign of peace. Mic came off as a pretty tough guy, but he had the biggest smile on his face while telling us of these traditions. He even gave us coasters from the lounge that he designed himself.

Lastly, a significant moment occurred when I stepped into the first cathedral of the trip – Salisbury Cathedral. We were lucky enough to arrive right as the organ was playing, and it made for quite a dramatic entrance. Upon gazing at the massive, yet intricately detailed stone arches, it was difficult not to let my jaw drop to the floor. I then explored the graves of many bishops, kings, and saints who had contributed significantly to the building of the cathedral in some way. Being a Christian myself, this was especially amazing because it helped me appreciate how many people have gone before me to help Christianity get to the place that it is today. This was a moment I will remember always because it was the first the first time I truly felt a connection to history.

 

4.     Prior to Engineering the Castles and Cathedrals of England and Wales, I viewed history as a dull subject that provided no benefit aside from “learning from our mistakes”. Throughout the course of this trip, my perspective on history changed significantly. As I visited more sites and talked to more local people, I realized that knowledge of history is essential to the function of society because it is what drives patriotism and loyalty to one’s country. This, in turn, provides motivation to preserve culture and work together to coexist in more peaceful ways than those of the past. Going forward, I will certainly take the time to learn more about others’ cultures and history in general. This new mindset will allow me to be more open to new ideas, connect with more people from around the world, and ultimately live a fuller life.

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