Harlaxton Day 19: Newstead Abbey

At 9 am, my classmates and I retrieved our sack lunches and trudged to the coach. We settled into our seats, something we have gotten used to as our group has spent ample amounts of time traveling around England. Some students bobbed their heads and mouthed the words of their favorite songs, others prepared for our upcoming quiz and final, but most closed their eyes and dozed in and out of consciousness.

Our class arrived at Newstead Abbey and drowsily departed the coach around 10:15. The leaders split us into two groups and we began our tours of the abbey promptly at 10:30. I studied the ornate woodwork and detailed paintings of the house as our guide told of Lord Byron’s time there. She told us tales of the scandalous love affairs, odd furry companionships (including a pet bear), and numerous ghost encounters that occurred during Byron’s time at the abbey. Once our tour finished, around 11:45, we were free to roam the grounds of Newstead Abbey.

The weather was a comfortable 75 degrees; large fluffy clouds dulled the sun’s brilliant rays and a light breeze blew as I sat down to eat my familiar bagged lunch. Then, I set out to explore the numerous gardens. A group of friends and I walked by a glassy, green pond and fed the remnants of our meals to a flock of ducks, then continued to the Japanese Garden. We wandered through forests of lush green plants and carefully navigated stepping stones over small streams that riddled the gardens. Some students spent hours in the gardens, others sat down in lawn chairs and napped in the abbey’s courtyard.

Around 2:30, we migrated back to the coach and resumed our bus activities. Over the next hour, our professor led a discussion about the similarities and differences that we have noticed since we have been in England. When we reached the manor, students stumbled off of the coach. We had free time for the remainder of the day. As our schedule has been extremely busy since our departure from the United States, most students used their free time to catch up on lost sleep. After a dinner of beef stew and a hearty slew of vegetables, I went to the junior common room where we played cards and snooker.

Eventually, a large group of us (including most of the chaperones) made our way out to the lawn to play a few games of croquet. Gatton students may not be competitive about coursework, but when it comes to croquet, we don’t mess around. The sounds of competitive banter and laughter resonated through the grounds as we attempted the new sport. This continued until 9:45, then everyone went their separate ways. Some of my classmates studied, others ordered pizza, and the rest prepared for bed. After our 10:30 curfew, my three roommates and I discussed our upcoming college applications and then settled in for the night.

This study abroad has been amazing! I love England and the literature we have been studying. This trip has been a great learning experience because students are encouraged to explore with a small group of peers, rather than being led by an adult. Consequently, my classmates and I have developed independence and formed new friendships amongst ourselves. This journey has drawn our class closer together and will have a lasting impact on our community. I am so thankful to have had this opportunity and plan to study abroad again in the future.

Georgia