Before this summer in England, many of the sociology students enrolled in the Maymester course “Sport and English Society” never set foot on a cricket field, intermixed with English sports fans or sampled an authentic plate of fish and chips.
As they immerse themselves in a new culture, these students are discovering how English society was shaped by the world of sports. Guided by Ben Carrington, associate professor of sociology, the 16 students are exploring the storied city of Leeds, a diverse metropolis known for its strong sporting heritage.
During the month-long course, they will examine the divisions around class and region that are central to understanding English identity, particularly the tensions between “the north” and “the south.” They will also discover the origins of sports such as American football and baseball.
Now just a few short weeks into their adventures abroad, many of these students have broadened their perceptions of other cultures, discovered new academic interests and increased their language skills.
Want to know more about their experiences abroad? You won’t need a passport for this jaunt across the pond. Check out the new blog Longhorns in Leeds and travel vicariously to the Manchester United Football Club, Headingley Stadium and Leeds Metropolitan University through the eyes of four bloggers.
Read the most recent post:
Coming Home
July 11
By Jennifer Carter
Now that I’m over my jet lag and acquainting myself back with the infamous Texas heat I reflect back on my time abroad and think “How in the heck did I cram all that into 4 weeks!”
My time spent was one for the books and it was full of adventure and appreciation of other cultures. Thanks to my new best friend RyanAir I also got to experience Dublin and Portugal in addition to some of the prime spots in the UK.
Continue reading Jennifer’s post on the Longhorns in Leeds blog …
Older posts:
July 8: Farewell England! by Shayla Stockton
July 6: London and the Beginning to the End by Michael Williams
June 22: Manchester, Leeds and London by Shayla Stockton
June 21: Rugby and American Football by Michael Williams
June 13: Cricket! by Michael Williams
June 13: Cricket, Rugby, and People Watching by Jennifer Carter
June 6: Stepping into the Adventure of a Lifetime by Michael Williams
June 2: Are you American? by Shayla Stockton
June 2: First Days in England by Patrick Pena
June 2: Beware the Fish and Chips! by Lola Adeyeye
June 2: First Impressions by Jennifer Carter
April 4: Welcome to the 2011 University of Texas at Austin Maymester in Leeds, England by Ben Carrington
