If your major is English Literature or History, chances are you’ll already know a good deal about England, but nothing beats a first-hand acquaintance. And England’s appeal goes far beyond any single discipline. Chaucer, Shakespeare, and Virginia Woolf may have been English—you can still visit the places where they lived and worked—but so too were Newton, Darwin, and Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The country abounds in sites of historical interest, from stone circles and iron-age forts to medieval castles and Gothic cathedrals.

But England is not all about its history and heritage; the 21st-century nation remains on the cutting edge of business, science, and the arts. It’s part of the European Union and will host the Olympic Games in 2012. Despite its diversity, however, England is small by American standards. Extensive rail and coach systems make it easy to visit other cities as well as the English countryside—the Lake District, Peak District, and Yorkshire Dales—wherever you’re based. What’s more, affordable flights to Europe make for some great weekend vacations.

Brighton is a lively seaside city on England’s south coast, an hour by train from London. It grew to prominence in the late eighteenth century when it was a popular destination for members of the royal family. The ornate Royal Pavilion, an Indo-Saracenic fantasy, dates from this era, and is still Brighton’s most iconic building.

Today the city remains popular with day-trippers from London who come to enjoy its seven miles of beaches, pubs, and nightlife. And Brighton is also home to a thriving gay community. In recent years the city has flourished, giving rise to stylish boutiques and restaurants, festivals, music, and a vibrant arts scene. At the last UK election, Brighton confirmed its progressive reputation by electing Britain’s first ever Member of Parliament from the Green Party.

Program Description

Founded in 1961, the University of Sussex is located on a campus four miles outside Brighton and adjacent to the rolling Sussex Downs.  The university differs from most British universities in that it is organized by schools of study; these bring together a number of related subject areas, and provide academic, social and advising facilities. The University of Sussex is a well regarded research university that ranks very high in American Studies, Chemistry, Politics, and Art History. It has a strong international perspective, attracting faculty and students from over 120 countries.

Information at a Glance

• Academics

• Academic Calendar

• Accommodations and Meals

• Optional Excursions
  

• Program Costs

• Scholarships

• Travel Brochure
  

For more information about this program, please visit the University of Sussex website.