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London Travel Study Program Includes a Royal Wedding Experience

Seven Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå University students caught a glimpse of the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle, as the couple’s carriage passed the American students standing only a few yards away along the procession route. The group traveled May 17-27 to London as part of a Travel Study program.

While in London, the students visited Westminster Abbey, the Churchill War Rooms, St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Dickens Museum, along with other sites in the area. They attended a performance of “Hamlet” at Shakespeare’s Globe as well. Students also enjoyed an Oxford University excursion.

Highlights of the trip included visits to the Museum of London, British Museum, National Gallery and Buckingham Palace. The group also took a river cruise boat from Westminster Pier to Greenwich that made stops at the Maritime Museum, the Royal Observatory and the Museum of the London Docklands.

The students who participated in the trip included Zeusan Balquin of New Lenox, Gage Brown of Gurnee, Christina Carlson of Lockport, Zakiya Cowan of Chicago, Ty Orlikowski of Rochelle, Madeline Schaal of Midlothian, and Lindsey Wisniewski of Chicago.

Faculty members Dr. Eileen McMahon, professor of history, and Dr. Jamil Mustafa, professor of English studies, led the trip. In the spring, they taught courses to prepare students for the experience: a special section of Global History and Culture 2, History of Ireland, British Literature 1800 to the Present and Literary London.

“The London Travel Study is a unique, and even life-changing experience for students to experience the immediacy of British history and culture and how it shaped this vibrant world capital,” McMahon said.

“The opportunity to study and explore London is invaluable to students both now and in the future,” Mustafa noted. “Employers rank study abroad among the top experiences they seek in college graduates.”

The Study Abroad office provides students at Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå University the unique chance to complement and enhance their academic careers with a variety of international academic opportunities. Programs run anywhere from a few weeks to an academic year and offer Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå courses that can fit into general education, elective, minor, and/or major credits depending on the program. More information about study abroad experiences is available by contacting Chris Swanson, director of Study Abroad at 815-836-5993 or studyabroad@lewisu.edu.

Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå University is an innovative and entrepreneurial Catholic university offering market-relevant undergraduate and graduate programs to 6,500 students. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå University is nationally recognized for preparing intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, globally connected and socially responsible graduates. Visit for further information.