UK: Storytelling in Education - Literature and Learning in England

Overview

Step into the pages of your favorite childhood stories as we journey through London and Oxford! Explore iconic literary landmarks, museums, and historic sites tied to beloved children’s authors, enhancing your knowledge of children’s literature.

Future educators will also gain unique insights into international teaching opportunities, including a visit to a Department of Defense school supporting U.S. military families in England.

Don’t miss this chance to enhance your expertise, expand your horizons, and bring literature to life!

Highlights and Excursions

• Portobello Road Market: Wander through this iconic Notting Hill market, famous for antiques, vintage clothing, street food, and unique collectibles.
• The Story Museum: Celebrate the power of storytelling with a guided tour and specialized training sessions.
• The Kilns - C.S. Lewis House: Tour the historic home of C.S. Lewis, where he lived and worked for over 30 years.
• Warner Bros. Harry Potter Tour: Go behind the scenes of the iconic films with authentic sets, costumes, and production secrets.

Good to Know

• This program has a priority and standard application deadline. Applications submitted by the priority deadline will be reviewed first.
• This program will include a moderate level of physical activity (walking).
• The United Kingdom requires many travelers, including U.S. citizens to acquire an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) for entry. This is typically less than $15 USD.

Upcoming Information Sessions

• Thursday, March 27 from 1:00-2:00 pm on Teams   (opens in a new window)
• Thursday, April 3 6:30-7:30 pm on Teams  (opens in a new window)
• Tuesday, April 8 11:00-12:00 noon on Teams (opens in a new window) 

Living Arrangements

Participants will stay in twin rooms in hostels with private bathrooms. Some meals are provided throughout the program.

Program Dates

January 2- January 10, 2026* 

*Students will need to depart the U.S. on January 1  in order to arrive in the UK on January 2.  

Academics 

Students will enroll in a 3-credit hour course depending on their major: 

• ECEE 4400: Actively Engaging and Teaching with Literature and Storytelling Across Content Areas (Early Childhood and Elementary Education)
  • This course introduces candidates to a wide variety of diverse literature appropriate for use with P-5 learners. Candidates learn how to actively engage students across grade levels and content areas with texts of various styles, genres, and purposes and develop instruction that meaningfully incorporates storytelling, listening, speaking, reading, writing, and viewing.
• EDMC 3120: Children's Literature for Middle Childhood (Middle Childhood Education)
  • This course is designed for candidates in teacher education seeking licensure in middle childhood (4th-9th grades). The course content treats the body of literature by genre. Teacher candidates will be introduced to various techniques for utilizing children's literature in middle childhood school settings.

In addition to participating in several seminars exploring course content while onsite, coursework will also include three virtual sessions prior to travel and four virtual sessions upon return from travel. 

Cost 

The following information is intended to help participants understand the estimated costs associated with the program.  For additional information regarding program costs, please refer to Understanding Program Costs for Ohio-Credit Programs.

The total estimated cost for Winter Break 25-26 (as of 2/27/2025) is expected to be:

• Undergraduate estimate: $6,847 + 3 Credits of Regional-Campus Tuition/Fees*

*Note: For programs completed during Winter Break, the credit-hours associated with the program are part of the Spring semester. Students taking between 12 to 20 Athens campus hours, including those associated with the program, will not incur additional tuition costs for the Spring semester. Students taking less than 12 or more than 20 Athens campus credits for the Spring term will see their tuition charge adjusted accordingly.  

Funding Opportunities

More information on financial aid and scholarships can be found on our funding pages.

Eligibility

Applicants must have a Teacher Candidacy and be in good standing in their respective programs. Senior interns planning to participate must receive Credential Review Board approval to complete coursework concurrent with the internship. 

This program is open to Education majors from all Ohio University campuses. 

Students who will be on probation at any point during the program for a conduct offense that took place less than a calendar year from the program start date may not study abroad. Read the entire conduct policy (opens in a new window).

Participants must have a at least a high school diploma or the equivalent (e.g. GED) by the start date of the program to be considered for eligibility.  Students enrolled in College Credit Plus (CC+) are not eligible for study away programs.

Application Requirements

When applying, students will be required to submit:

• a copy of their DARs,
• a 1-2 page personal statement that addresses how this experience will support your growth as an educator. Include discussion of what you hope to gain from a study abroad experience.

Entry and Exit Requirements

U.S. citizens are required to have a valid U.S. passport when traveling outside of the United States. If you plan to study or travel abroad in the next year,  apply for your passport (opens in a new window)  now. Some countries also require a visa and/or entry permit to legally enter or reside in the country.

For more specific visa related information, please visit OGO’s  Visa Information Page (opens in a new window) or the U.S. Department of State page for this country.

Information for  Non-U.S. citizens

Resources

• Health and Safety
• Accessibility Requests and Accommodations