Memories of Alnwick
Ellen Schulz Dosdall ’79, Edina, Minn., Alnwick
1976-77
I believe that ours was the first class to attend Alnwick
College. It was a culture shock for us and our British hosts.
We quickly discovered that we were indeed separated from
the British by a common language and more importantly, by
our norms and behavior.
At our first meeting with Mrs.Holomby, the Principal,
rules were laid out about curfews, quiet and orderly behavior,
and not showing up “pissed” (drunk) at the barbican
gate after the pubs closed. As time progressed, we came
to be perceived by the principal as a loud and unruly gang
of colonials, and by our fellow British classmates as friendly,
fun-loving daredevils. To be sure, many of our fellow colonials
immersed themselves in the British way of life, spending
their time in quiet appreciative consumption of English
literature, tea and scones, and fell walking. Some of us,
however, also reveled in exposing our unsuspecting British
colleagues to celebrations of American rituals tinged with
British traditions, like pub crawling in Halloween costumes
and a festival culminating in the crowning of the king and
queen of Groundhog Day. We left our hosts with many impressions,
one of which was perhaps that American college students,
like Americans in general, are a strange conglomeration
of individualists - curious and generous, egocentric and
materialistic – all at the same time.
Likewise, our Alnwick hosts, the experiences of living
in the castle, and our travels around Europe made indelible
marks upon each of our lives. There were romances, break
ups, friendships, losses of heart and gains of new attitudes
and directions in life. These many years later, I look back
to this experience as the first and most significant turning
point in my life, evolving into a life long academic journey
and a fulfilling career in public service. And one more
great achievement – I married the Groundhog Day king.
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