Midland College offering 10-day trip to Scotland and London with academic credit opportunities February 25, 2019

Midland College Fine Arts and Communications division is inviting students, faculty and community members to join them on a trip to Scotland and England June 3-12.

“I graduated from MC in 1998,” Guadalupe Amparan said. “I still keep in touch with what is going on there through social media. I saw information about this trip on MC’s Facebook and I thought, ‘I have always wanted to go to London! Now is the perfect time for me. My youngest child is almost two and if I do not go now, I probably will never go.’”

Amparan is the first in her family to receive a college degree. She came to MC part-time to complete her goal.

“I finished and it was so worth it,” Amparan said. “A degree is so important. When I got older I took college more seriously. As an adult I realized how important it is to do my best. I hope to one day go back and get my bachelor’s degree. I am excited to keep learning on this trip to Scotland and London.”

There are still spots available on the trip. The group will visit London, Edinburgh, Oxford, Stonehenge, the Tower of London, William Shakespeare’s birthplace, and Harry Potter Studios. Travelers will also see a performance by the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Going on this trip is the best way to make sure you see multiple sites in just 10 short days. Besides a set itinerary and logistics, one of the many other advantages is the safety and support of fast friends. Amparan has signed up with her sister Veronica and they are excited to spend time together and time with new friends.

“I am so happy I am not going alone,” Amparan said. “I think it is wonderful to go with others and have the experience together. I am 39 years old and others who have signed up range from 20 to 70 years old.”

Students who need an additional English course also have the option to complete English 2323, British Literature II on the trip with MC instructor Allison Brown.

Brown was MC graduate Lacy Morrow’s first literature instructor. They keep in touch and Morrow will be joining the group on the trip.

“After taking Professor Brown’s class at MC I decided to become an English professor,” Morrow said. “Now I am getting my master’s degree at San Angelo State University. I will not receive academic credit for this trip, but I am looking forward to having one more chance to look up to Professor Brown as an instructor. I want to be like her when I am a professor.”

Morrow is not your traditional MC student. She attended Early College High School at MC. Students enrolled in Early College High School at MC have the opportunity to earn an associate degree and high school diploma simultaneously. Morrow is just 20 years old, studying for her master’s degree in literature with a British focus. She has never traveled outside the U.S. Morrow is looking forward to diving into the politics of another country.

“I am trying to look more into the politics of today,” Morrow said. “I can look at politics in literature and find out what author’s personal beliefs were, but following it in the present really matters especially for other countries. Someday people are going to study today’s literature and they are going ask, ‘What was going on when this was written?’ Ahead of this trip, I am examining Brexit more closely. It has huge political implications so I am very excited to learn more about it on this trip.”

Amparan is most excited about taking in the architecture.

“London and Scotland have such beautiful buildings,” Amparan said. “The landscapes are beautiful, a lot different than Texas. I just cannot believe how old everything is. It makes me wonder how it is still standing after all these years.”

If you are interested in learning more about MC’s Fine Arts and Communications division trip to Scotland and England visit midland.edu/travel.

Photo from left to right: Guadalupe Amparan and Lacy Morrow.