This program is not available during the Summer 2021 session. Consider participating in one of our Virtual International Experiences instead, or contact your study abroad advisor for alternative study abroad options.

The London Performance Study program is designed to provide students with an intensive introduction to theatre in London, and can provide major credit for English and Theatre Arts majors. The course provides three semester hours of credit. It is sponsored by the University of Iowa Departments of English and Theatre Arts but is open to students of any academic background.

Academic Program

London Performance Study is taught by University of Iowa Professor John Cameron from the UI Theatre Arts Department.

The class is an intensive introduction to theatre in London and will examine the expression of the personal aesthetic in a theatrical context. Students will meet mornings for discussion of performances and related readings, as well as history, and performance theory. In the afternoons and evenings, the class will attend performances of a broad range of theatrical events including but not limited to the classics, contemporary plays, musicals, and fringe performance. The number of shows attended varies from year-to-year, but most frequently ten performances are included in the curriculum.

This course satisfies Theatre Arts and English major requirements.

Course Syllabus

• London Performance Study syllabus
  

A final syllabus for the Summer 2020 session will be available by early spring 2020.

Cultural Activities and Excursions

Cultural activities and excursions are a key part of the London Performance Study program. Activities vary by year, but typically involve the following:

• Visits to theatrical venues that typically include such famous theatres as The Globe, The Old Vic, The National Theatre, and the Royal Shakespeare Company.
  
• An overnight excursion to Stratford Upon Avon for performances of one or two Shakespearean plays by the world famous Royal Shakespeare Company.
  
• Tours of historic homes such as Anne Hathaway’s cottage.
  
• A backstage tour at the National Theatre or the Globe.
  
• Additional independent travel opportunities not covered by the program costs include travel around the many historical sites in London, visits to Bath and Stonehenge, tours of famous Harry Potter sites, additional theatre performances throughout London, and an opportunity to experience the city’s vibrant culture first-hand!
  

A final list of excursions will be available by early Spring 2020

Program Dates

Program dates vary by session. Dates for future sessions are expected to be similar to previous sessions, and will be finalized be early spring.

Dates for the Summer 2020 session are expected to be May 25 - June 15.

For More Information

Cory Petersen, Senior Advisor and Program Coordinator
Study Abroad | International Programs
1111 University Capitol Centre
Iowa City, IA 52242-1802

Phone: 319-335-0353
Fax: 319-335-0343
E-mail: cory-petersen@uiowa.edu

This program is not available during the Summer 2021 session. Consider participating in one of our Virtual International Experiences instead, or contact your study abroad advisor for alternative study abroad options.

London

London is the capital of the United Kingdom, and the largest city in the UK London is a leading global city in the arts, commerce, education, entertainment, fashion, finance, healthcare, media, research, tourism, and transportation. It is a tremendously diverse city of 8.6 million people, representing dozens of cultures and hundreds of languages.

London holds something for everyone- as the saying goes, “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.”

England

England is a member of the United Kingdom, which also includes Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It features a diverse landscape, friendly people, and a rich history.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom (UK) refers to the four countries of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This is in contrast to another common name, Great Britain, which excludes Northern Ireland. Life and culture in the UK is different from that in the US. Experiencing this rich tradition is what the UK Exchanges are all about!

Some general facts about the UK:

• The UK uses the British Pound as its currency.
• Communication from the UK is easy. Cell phones are relatively inexpensive, the internet is easily accessible, and post offices are plentiful.
• British food is unique! Try fish and chips, bangers 'n mash, steak pie, Indian curry, 'neeps and tatties, haggis, and more!
• The UK is a relatively safe environment. Police are helpful and visible. Emergency services are reliable. Pharmacies, called 'Chemists,' are common and carry a wide variety of medicine and other essentials.
• The UK has a temperate climate, influenced by the ocean that surrounds it. It is never too hot in the summer nor too cold in the winter. Rain is common most of the year. Make sure to take plenty of warm clothes and waterproof shoes.

US Department of State Country Information

The US Department of State provides safety and security information for every country of the world to help you assess for yourself the risks of travel. Each country information page contains a Travel Advisory, Alerts, and other important details specific to that country that could affect you.

Pay close attention to the entry and exit requirements, local laws and customs, health conditions, and other details to help decide whether traveling to any given country is right for you. Non-US citizen travelers may also wish to seek guidance from the embassy of their country of citizenship. The UI International Travel Policy for Students addresses restrictions on student travel to high-risk locations and engagement in high-risk activities abroad.

This program is not available during the Summer 2021 session. Consider participating in one of our Virtual International Experiences instead, or contact your study abroad advisor for alternative study abroad options.

Living Arrangements

In London, lodging for program participants will be provided in shared apartments in central London in easy walking distance to theatres and museums. Each apartment has a living room, bathroom, 2-3 bedrooms and a fully equipped kitchen. Program participants will have the option of preparing their own meals using the cooking facilities in the apartments, or eating at the tremendous variety of restaurants for which London is famous.

Flights

UI Study Abroad will designate a suggested group flight by early spring. Participants will make their own travel arrangements to Dublin with guidance from UI Study Abroad and are advised to take part in this suggested itinerary.

The cost of travel is not included in the course fee.

Those who participate in the suggested flight will be met at the London airport by program staff and transported by shuttle to the program site.

Alternative arrangements for transportation from the airport to the program site for students who do not participate in the suggested flight can be made with guidance from UI Study Abroad.

Do not purchase plane tickets until you have received instructions on how to do so from UI Study Abroad.

Local Transportation

London is famous for ‘the Tube’ (its subway system), which efficiently moves people through the city center and into the suburbs. The famous, red double-decker buses complete the matrix with their surface routes. And there is always the iconic black London taxi for those out late after regular public transportation closes.

This program is not available during the Summer 2021 session. Consider participating in one of our Virtual International Experiences instead, or contact your study abroad advisor for alternative study abroad options.

Eligibility

This program is open to students attending US institutions, and who fulfill the following requirements:

• Clear interest and commitment: This program is open to students of all academic backgrounds. Students must demonstrate a clear academic or personal interest in the program’s subject matter and a commitment to engage responsibly in coursework abroad.
  
• Demonstrated preparedness and maturity: Students must demonstrate preparedness to take on the heightened responsibilities associated with international study and travel. Students must demonstrate a commitment to behave responsibly abroad while respecting cultural differences. Students are expected to obey both local laws and program directives conveyed to participants before and during the program. The University of Iowa Code of Student Life applies to all program participants while abroad.
  
• Minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA: Students must have a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA to participate in this program. Applications from students who have a GPA below 2.75 may be considered for the program, but will be interviewed by the faculty director in order to make a final acceptance decision.
  
• Good academic and disciplinary standing- Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing at the University of Iowa. Students placed on either academic or disciplinary probation for any period of time overlapping with the study abroad program dates are ineligible to study abroad on a University of Iowa program. Academic and disciplinary history will also be considered when determining whether a student is prepared to represent the University of Iowa as part of this program. Students who are not in good standing at any point overlapping with the program dates will have their acceptance revoked, and will be responsible for the associated late withdrawal fees.
  
• Completion of at least one semester of college-level study: First-year student applicants should be prepared to provide at least two academic references when submitting their application materials.
  
• Approval By faculty director and UI Study Abroad: Applications will be reviewed by the program’s faculty director, and students will be accepted based on their eligibility, a grade report, an academic recommendation, and a statement of purpose.
  
• Attendance at mandatory orientation programming: Students must attend all in-person and online pre-departure orientation programming.

In addition to the requirements above, preference is given to applicants who:

• Have completed at least two prior semesters of college-level study: Preference is given to students who have already completed at least two semesters of college-level study at the time they submit their application.

Participants who are enrolled at institutions other than the University of Iowa

Students who attend institutions other than the University of Iowa must also contact their home school study abroad office to review any additional study abroad requirements.

Costs

Students will be responsible for paying many of their program costs through their University of Iowa U-Bill, while other costs will be out-of-pocket costs paid by the student directly to vendors before and after going abroad. Refer to the cost sheets below for details on the costs associated with this program.

The cost sheets outline the total estimated costs associated with participating in this program and can be used for financial aid purposes. They include fees charged on students’ U-Bill as well as out-of-pocket expenses. Actual out-of-pocket expenses will vary from individual to individual. Quoted estimates are conservatively high, yet realistic.

Costs for future sessions are usually similar to the current session, however students can expect a modest increase in overall costs each session. Final cost sheets for future sessions are typically available early in the semester before the session begins.

Cost Sheets

The following cost sheet applies to the Summer 2017 session.

Cost Sheet- London Performance Study- Summer 2017

Cost sheets for the Summer 2020 session will be available by early spring 2020.

Calculating Fees

The cost sheets are based on the fees described below:

• University of Iowa Study Abroad Administrative Fees
• University of Iowa’s CISI health insurance
• Program course fees, housing, flight, and other costs of attendance.

Cost sheets do not include the following optional costs:

Personal Travel Costs

Costs for personal travel are not included in the cost estimates provided on the cost sheet. If you plan to travel outside of your host city or country during or after your study abroad program, you will need to budget for additional funds to cover the cost of your personal travel.

The cost of personal travel depends entirely on each student’s individual travel plans and spending habits. Estimates for personal travel costs provided by past students on this program vary significantly from $1,500 to as much as $9,000 or more per session.

Costs charged to the U-Bill

• Application fee- (charged at the time of application, before financial aid/scholarships are disbursed.
• UI program course fees, including housing- (charged shortly before departure.)
• Study Abroad Administrative Fee- (charged shortly before departure.)
• CISI Health Insurance- (charged shortly before departure.)

Out of Pocket costs (not charged to U-Bill)

• Round trip airfare from Cedar Rapids- (paid by student directly to travel agent or airline- approx. 6-8 weeks prior to departure, before financial aid/scholarships are disbursed.)
• Food- (paid by student at their discretion while abroad.)
• Housing- (charged upon arrival to the UK)
• Immigration fees- (paid by student on arrival to the UK, or shortly before arrival/before financial aid/scholarships are disbursed. See the Immigration/Visa section under the Predeparture tab for more information.)
• Local Transportation- (paid at student’s discretion while abroad.)
• Cell phone- (paid as needed while abroad)
• Passport- (paid by student prior to departure, before financial aid/scholarships are disbursed.)
• Textbooks- (paid as needed while abroad)
• Medical Exam/Immunizations- (paid by student as needed prior to departure, before financial aid/scholarships disburse)
• Personal expenses- (paid by student at their discretion while abroad.)
• Personal travel expenses- (paid as needed while abroad)

This program is not available during the Summer 2021 session. Consider participating in one of our Virtual International Experiences instead, or contact your study abroad advisor for alternative study abroad options.

Acceptance and Confirmation Materials

After you have received an email from UI Study Abroad indicating that you have been formally accepted to the program, have reviewed the estimated costs, and you are ready to commit to participating in this program, you will need to complete the following steps:

All Students

Thoroughly review the following sections of text:

• Financial Aid & Scholarships
• Immigration/Visa
• Orientation
• Passport
• Predeparture Resources

Financial Aid & Scholarships

You can find information about options for funding your study abroad experience, including financial aid, scholarships, grants, etc, on UI Study Abroad’s Funding Website.

Immigration/Visa

All program participants are required to complete immigration requirements to enter and study in your host country. UI Study Abroad and your program provider/host institution abroad will provide you with immigration instructions prior to departure.

Note that permission to enter and study in your host country is provided exclusively by the host country’s government based on that country's immigration requirements. Your host country’s immigration requirements may include considerations related to specific national origin, national heritage, criminal background status, and similar issues that can make it impossible to receive permission to enter the country in some cases. Contact your UI study abroad advisor for more information.

It is essential that you thoroughly review all of your immigration materials before you leave for your host country to ensure that they are absolutely complete and accurate. It is entirely your responsibility to ensure that all of your immigration materials are in order and fully accurate before you leave for your host country. If any of your immigration materials contain inaccurate information of any kind, contact your UI study abroad advisor immediately to discuss your options.

Do not take steps to complete your host country’s immigration requirements until you receive more information from UI Study Abroad.

Review the UI Study Abroad Travel Documentation website for further guidance on the immigration/visa process.

Orientation

In order to prepare for your time abroad, you are required by the University of Iowa to complete two orientations. These may be in addition to orientations provided by your on-site provider. See below for more information.

Online Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation

You are required to complete the International Programs ICON course "Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation" prior to departure. This orientation is mandatory for all students going abroad under the auspices of the University of Iowa. It covers many practical matters about living overseas, such as health and safety, communication, money, goals, and much more. You will be enrolled in this course by International Programs and an email will be sent to you once enrolled. If you have any questions, you can email safety-abroad@uiowa.edu.

Program-Specific Orientation

This orientation will be facilitated by your study abroad advisor and will cover content specific to your program and host country. It could be conducted in a group setting or one-on-one depending on your type of planned activity abroad. Your study abroad advisor will send you more information about this mandatory in-person session.

Passport

All students need a valid passport to participate in this program. You can find details about applying for a passport on the UI Study Abroad Travel Documentation website.

Predeparture Resources

UI Study Abroad offers a variety of general predeparture resources. Review the following materials, and feel free to pass them along to your family or other loved ones to help them understand more about your upcoming program.

These materials may be periodically updated to reflect new program information prior to departure- contact your study abroad advisor for more information.

Please note that your program provider and host institution may provide you with additional predeparture materials specific to your study abroad program. Also review those materials, share them with your family, and refer back to them if you have any questions.

• Health Preparation Guide for International Travel
• UK and Ireland- Program Manual
• Study Abroad Resources (including Diversity & Identity Abroad, Health and Safety, Ethics, and other important issues)