Rebecca Bernard (UE) continues to travel with Harlaxton College. Here is her evocative report about the college's latest trip:

Even though I stayed in the United Kingdom this weekend on the North Wales trip, I definitely traveled to a totally different culture. Most Americans know that Prince Charles is the Prince of Wales, but many don’t really understand what Wales is. Their flag is not incorporated into the UK flag, because Wales has long been considered a captive state held by England. But this land still holds on to its unique culture and language. You knew when you crossed the border into Wales because all of the signs were in both Welsh and English. Almost all of the residents speak English, many as their first language, but we visited places with names that could tie your tongue, like Caernarfon and Betws-y-Coed. It was also exciting to hear Welsh in conversation while we were drinking coffee at a small café

The first day, we stopped in Chester on the way to Wales and saw the second-most photographed timepiece (after Big Ben), Chester's ancient city walls and an extensive shopping district. Then it was back on the coach to get to Wales and our hotel in Llandudno. Llandudno is a resort town on the Irish Sea, which is popular with tourists year round. The seascapes were breathtaking, and our hotel was right across the street from the beach. It was way too cold for anyone to think of swimming, but it was magnificent.


Our jam-packed Saturday started off at Caernarfon Castle, where in 1969 Charles became Prince of Wales. The castle was originally built by Edward I, the English king who conquered Wales and built castles all throughout the country to solidify his hold over the Welsh people. It was fun to climb through the rooms and turrets, looking through the arrow slits and thinking about what kinds of men and machines would be needed to protect such an immense castle. Then it was on to Portmeirion Village, which was built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis to imitate the buildings he saw in the Mediterranean while traveling. It is like a little slice of Italy in the north of Wales. There was classic sculpture and unique buildings scattered throughout, all with a unique coastal view.

Lastly we visited the deep mines of the Llechwedd Slate Caverns. There we got to see the immense spaces where miners worked day after day to bring slate out of the earth to be used for roofs, billiard tables, blackboards and gravestones. It was interesting to hear the stories and think of what it must be like to work underground with no natural sunlight.


On our final day, we said goodbye to Llandudno and went to see Swallow Falls. They were so terrifying, because North Wales has been getting a lot of rain recently, so the falls were very loud and strong. Several times they swept over the observation platform, getting us all wet. Then we went down the road a few miles to Betws-y-Coed for lunch. It is a beautiful village near the river, and because of the misty rain we saw several rainbows throughout the day. We even saw one on the coach coming back into England, and I like to think it was Wales saying goodbye. This trip was very dynamic, showing us how, even though Wales isn’t thought of as distinctly as Scotland or Northern Ireland, this land has it’s own identity, and it is proud of its unique heritage.

Rebecca Bernard (University of Evansville) recently participated in Harlaxton College's weekend trip to Oxford, Bath and Stonehenge. Here is her report on a whirlwind tour of historic and cultural sights:

This weekend was jam-packed with many unforgettable experiences and places. Our first stop was the college town of Oxford. The city is full of amazing architecture demonstrating the age and prestige of its colleges. In one of the museums I even got to see one of Einstein’s chalkboards from when he lectured on his theories. Then it was on to Bath, which is now one of my favorite cities. The entire city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its importance is obvious in the distinct Georgian feel that permeates throughout. You almost expect Jane Austen herself to walk out of one of the many townhouses, or to see a group of dancers in the Assembly Rooms.

We also undertook jaunts to Wells and Glastonbury, which showed us English religious life in two contrasting examples: Wells Cathedral in its stunning splendor. and the defiant Glastonbury Abbey, torn down because it refused to accept the Reformation.

Our last day, with the trips to the Roman Baths and Stonehenge, also further reinforced that England is a much older country than my own, older than recorded history. It made me feel very small (and very young!) to be in the presence of Stonehenge. The trip was full of friends and memories that are an integral part of my Harlaxton experience, and is a trip I will not soon forget.

  

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Afternoon tea in the Great Hall has long been a tradition at Harlaxton College, although it is interesting to note that tea did not appear on British shores until the mid 17th century.  We have the London coffee houses to thank for making tea a popular beverage in England.

 

Of course one would need copious amounts of cake and sandwiches to fully appreciate the tea.  We have photos of students, faculty and staff taking part in the arduous task of finishing the cakes in one afternoon; thankfully they did very well as you can see by selecting 'this link' to the photo gallery.

 

On a different note:

A group of students headed out to the gardens in the College grounds to plant out some spring flowering daffodil bulbs.  For a natural looking arrangement students threw out handfuls of bulbs and planted them where they fell, all under the watchful eye of the head gardener of course!  Select 'this link' to see the daffodil planting photos.

 

Other events over the last few weeks:

Cultural Conversations involving residents of the local community and friends of Harlaxton College  'Photo Gallery link'

The Meet-a-Family Reception Dinner  'Photo link'

And finally the momentous "Taking of the Group Photo"  'Photo link'

 

A huge 'Thank You' to everyone who participated in the Macmillan Coffee Morning.

A special thanks to Tony Sheridan and the catering team for supplying refreshments and the fantastic nursing students who served as 'Coffee Angels' on the day.

The event raised just under £100 for this very worthwhile charity.

Harlaxton's Got Talent

Harlaxton has got talent; it's official!  Yes!  And it would also seem that students at Harlaxton are realizing their group mission statement too - to have as much fun here as possible.   

This week is Talent Show week, and our stage in the Great Hall has been graced with many talents: balloon animal making; a very special dance duo; some beautiful piano playing; vocals and guitar duos and Nap-Town's Finest rapper. 

Our professional photographer did her best to capture the event, so why not take a look at the photos by clicking on this link.

Basketball:  Harlaxton Lions against Lincoln Panthers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our brave Lions recently played a home game against Lincoln Panthers, and our practice training sessions will continue to improve our game for the next challenge.  Well done guys!  Keep up the good work!

More action photos can be found by clicking on this link.

 

Afternoon Tea in the Great Hall

Yes, we had tea!  Some students have yet to be converted – but there’s still time for that.  There's nothing better than tea, lovingly made in a big tea pot, with dainty cups and saucers. 

In the Great Hall, sheltered from the elements, our students, faculty and staff fully appreciated the selection of cakes, sandwiches and scones on offer, especially when snow quickly piled up outside the windows.  Yum yum!

We have photos too!  Just select this link to the photo gallery.

Snow Day at Harlaxton!

There'S-no Day like a Snow Day!  And we have had more snow in the last few days than we have had in the last 18 years!  Certainly more than enough to light up Harlaxton Manor, and send our students into a frenzy of snowball fights, and snowman/snow-family building.

We have some great photos!  So take a look by clicking on this link here.

Meet-a-Family Programme "home away from home" 

Our Meet-a-Family Programme is an integral part of the Harlaxton experience. It allows American students away from home to become part of a British family.

Last Thursday evening Harlaxton College hosted a reception dinner for our British families and their "newly adopted students".  The evening started with hugs and the exchanging of gifts, whilst listening to our resident pianist, Rachel Meyer.  The glow from log fire created a warm and welcoming atmosphere for families and students in our historic Great Hall.

Please take a look at our photo gallery by selecting this link.

 

Aladdin

Our critically acclaimed Aladdin Panto  was apparently "pheee-nommmm-eeeee-nal" and "the greatest Panto in the history of the world!  Ever!"

Yet another high quality, lavish production was staged at Harlaxton this week.  Students pulled out all the stops with this one in order to raise funds for Comic Relief; collection buckets were full to the brim!

A fantastic job was done with music arrangements, back stage production and management.  Well done to all concerned, and a special thank you to Kevin Lawry for making it all happen.

We have lots and lots of photos to view, you can do this by clicking on this link just here.

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