Studying Art History at Trinity: Learning Inside and Outside of the Classroom

By Xinyi Ye

Visiting Student Blogger, Tsinghua University

 

Before I came to Trinity, “what department will you be studying in?” was one question my friends had for me the most frequently. It’s true that I major in Chinese literature in my home university, which means it’s hard to find a course in Europe to meet the requirements of a department of Chinese literature in China. But actually, when I decided to spend a semester in Trinity, I thought it was time for me to try something different, especially try something really European and Irish. So I signed up for modules in art history, and started my semester abroad in a brand new field. I am taking two modules from the department of History of Art this semester. One of them is Introduction to History of European Art and Architecture, which is more general, and the other is Art and Sculpture in Europe in the 17^th Century, which is more specific. Both modules consist of lectures and tutorials; the lectures give introductions and the professors’ ideas on the artists, the works and the concepts of a certain period of time, and the tutorials let students present their own ideas after reading and preparation, focusing on specific topics with the guidance of the professor.

All in a Day’s Work: Day Trips from Dublin

By Abigail Borges [Visiting Student Blogger]

Study abroad is meant to be your time to get to know a little more of the world. As typical Trinity students with normal, rigorous workloads, however, the achievement of this ideal sometimes seems at odds with the demands of a university schedule. Fortunately, though, Ireland is ideally sized. Day trips throughout the country have been my way of finding balance between school and travel (especially on Sundays when the library is closed – it’s the most valid excuse), while also taking budget into consideration.

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) – Student Exchange

By Mark Ryan

I’m on a full-year exchange here at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and so far it is has been a great experience. HKUST is very different to Trinity. One of the great things about this university is the campus itself. We are right on the side of a cliff overlooking the South China Sea which gives us great views. The facilities include everything you would want in a university with lots of dining options, both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, barbeque pits right beside the beach, sports pitches etc. I take classes in the Lee Shau Kee Business School which is only three years old and a great improvement to the Arts building in TCD. The only disadvantage about the university is that we have to take a mini bus and then an MTR train to get into the centre of Hong Kong, which gets difficult late at night and there can be long lines for buses at times. It is very different from Trinity where we are in the centre of everything, but given that the city is so overcrowded and busy it’s not such a bad thing.

Study Abroad At Georgetown University

By Sophie Donnelly [Georgetown University, Washington D.C.]

Almost three whole months into my year abroad in Georgetown and I finally feel like I’m getting into the swing of things here on the Hilltop! The endless slew of midterms and essays have finally died down before Thanksgiving this Thursday, but final exams in mid-December are looming on the horizon so – true to Georgetown form – the work never stops! Nonetheless, there have been plenty of opportunities in the last couple of weeks to get out and enjoy the absolutely beautiful weather and sights of autumn in DC.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)

CUHK – By Ciara Sexton

When I first arrived to CUHK my first impression was –  I will never be able to find my way around this campus! The best comparison would be that it is like UCD, except even bigger. The campus have their own shuttle busses which loops around all the accommodation buildings and the main campus area, where we have class, all the way down to the metro train station in the university.