University of Memphis Department of Art and Design students Elizabeth Kutas and Chloe Kauffman could not pass up another opportunity to visit England again this summer.
It’s the third time Kutas, a senior fine arts major, and the second time Kauffman, a fifth-year senior photography major, have studied abroad honing their photography skills through the Photography in England course. The course has been taught and led for several years by David Horan, program coordinator and associate professor of practice in Photography in the University of Memphis Department of Art and Design.
Prior to studying abroad, Kutas had only been outside the U.S. during a cruise as a kid. But she always remembered her dad having a camera during all their family trips, which inspired her to explore the craft. Naturally her father gave her his camera, allowing her to explore her creative pursuits.
“When I saw that a program was offered specifically for photographers and for people to learn more about the history of photography, I got really interested” Kutas said. “I thought England was a great place to sort of explore that history and I’ve learned so much every time I’ve gone — I always learned something new.”
Kauffman said her favorite thing about studying abroad is, “Meeting people and making lifelong friends. But also getting to explore another place that brings a new perspective.”
The Photography in England course is three weeks with students staying at the University of Kent an ideal campus near both the cities of Canterbury and London.
Students who take the course get the opportunity to look at 19th century works of both painters and photographers — visiting historic sites — among them the Canterbury Cathedral, the Tower of London and the Tower Bridge, the White Cliffs of Dover, and several museums such as the Turner Contemporary Museum, the Tate Modern Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Kutas said she’s really enjoyed the friendships she’s made over the years while traveling and studying abroad.
“I always think that’s the beautiful part about it, because in the beginning of the trip everyone’s kind of nervous, but you learn so much about your group in three weeks and I love that aspect of making new friends that will last over the years. We all just connect on a more personal level.”
Kauffman echoed the sentiment saying, “It’s an amazing experience. Not only do you grow as an artist and get to see a beautiful country but also meet new people and learn more about yourself as part of the experience. I think anyone who is interested in any study abroad should take the chance on it.”
Kauffman was inspired to pursue photography by her grandfather who was an artist.
It’s not all about coursework; students have ample opportunity to explore the country.
Kutas said her favorite memory from this past trip is the study abroad group making their way to the beach during their trip to the Cliffs of Dover.
“We were all determined to get to the beach area. It was a journey, a trek, and we were all there for it,” Kutas said. “When we made it to the beach area, it was just so beautiful.”
Going to England also pushed Kutas to explore more film photography versus digital.
“I got to pull out all the alternative processing. I always feel like I get steered toward thinking of how photography used to work, just because of all the historical figures that grew out of England and the location we get to see. It inspires me to go back to my roots with photography. My concept grows as well when I get to look at this artwork in person…it’s a perspective shift.”
For Kauffman it was enjoying the small details. “I learned to take my time and enjoy the little details. The small details are important to an image.”
Students work alongside Horan over the years to look at how their work has changed and discover new techniques to incorporate.
Among Kutas’ favorite things to photograph on the trip to England was European culture and street photography. “I just think about the color and the people and how it sort of feels eccentric and modern and just capturing the everyday lives of the people and the history they are surrounded by,” Kutas said.
“Students who study abroad always come back and say what a life-changing experience it was. Being able to travel while working toward your degree is definitely an enticing opportunity, but the change in perspective — the paradigm shift — students experience by interacting with different cultures, people and ways of life while abroad is truly the pinnacle of it all. There’s nothing else like it. You learn so much about the world and yourself,” Hayley Werth, Education Abroad advisor said.
Photo 1: “Moments 26” by Chloe Kauffman | Photo 2: by Elizabeth Kutas
