A Gapper Returns - Case Studies - Art History Abroad - Art History Abroad

29th March 2007 - Alice Taylor, AHA Gap Year Course 2007

Dear Everyone at AHA,

I feel so lucky to have had such a unique opportunity to spend six totally exhilarating weeks with such a fantastic organisation. So much so that I now find it utterly frustrating that I cannot preach enough to anyone quite how simply awesome the whole Italy experience actually was. Everything from the students, to the food, to the tutors, the Art, Italy, just everything completely surpassed any of my highest expectations. In the short build up to our departure, I was anxious that I would lose enthusiasm, as I had towards the end of school, having caught a glimpse at the overwhelming itinerary. In fact, the effect was quite the opposite, the whole trip fuelled my eagerness to learn again and I really cannot wait to hit the Architecture course at Manchester with a bang!

I spent a large majority of the trip laughing (much to the tutors' annoyance, I'm sure) and I can honestly say that there wasn't one single session that I found uninspiring. This includes the fantastic poetry day, about which I was very dubious indeed! Having been taught English by a Welsh, Vegan, Hymn-writer I was unsure as to how this could ever be interesting, however, I was proven wrong, and this day was up there with the rest of them.

It is amazing how, having learnt a fraction of history of art in the way we did, it makes other art all the more accessible. Only yesterday I visited the V&A museum, where I saw plaster-casts of so many pieces that I had seen three weeks previously. I felt privileged to be standing, looking at them, understanding the content and knowing I had seen the real thing. (I can't deny that I felt a little smug too!)

I have so many amazing memories from the trip too. I felt so fortunate to be part of such a brilliant group. I am quite sure that other groups are equally good but it is so fabulous that I left having met so many wonderful people with whom I am quite sure I will remain in touch, including the tutors. My memories are of hugely interesting, fascinating and amusing moments, and all of these compile into an enormously, rich, six week diary into which it would be almost impossible to pack much more.
I still do not feel like I have written enough to thank you all for making this experience so enriching and if I was to write everything that I enjoyed, this would go on forever, so I have to keep it brief really. However, what I would say is that I really would frown upon anyone who turns down the opportunity to go on quite such a life changing six weeks. I would value this far higher than spending three months somewhere on the other side of the World trying to find myself.

Lots and lots of love to all,

Alice Taylor
(Gap year course - Spring 2007)