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I learned that creativity that also respects the original work can unlock a world of potential.
Ayanna Owens, Duke in London - Arts (Summer 2025)
What was your most memorable class activity?
We went to the Bridge Theatre to watch a Midsummers Night Dream. It was so astonishing that I cannot put into words how magical that night was. The performance was simply immaculate. The actors were so entertaining, and they pulled Shakespeare into our modern world. They would utilize colloquialisms from TikTok trends or engage with the audience in such a genuine way.
The stage was constantly moving so we were always very close to the stage and engaged in a way I had never experienced before. It was just laughter, laughter, laughter.
At one point the crowd was holding hands in a circle and another time my friends and I were dancing with the fairies from the show. It felt so personal and relatable. I left the show realizing that this is what theatre is meant to be. Theatre is meant to bring a certain aspect of magic to the audience that makes it seem as if the night was a dream. I learned that creativity that also respects the original work can unlock a world of potential.
What was your favorite memory from Duke in London - Arts?
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A series of my favorite memories was just traveling on the weekends to explore the rest of Europe. It was so interesting to have London be my home base and just traveling with other Londoners or even Americans to other cities.
I went to Brighton for the day, and it seemed like the rest of London had the same idea. It was so cool to see families and friends that had gotten on the train with me, get off and walk in different directions to explore the beach town. It was my first day trip experience and if I lived by a beach or a city big enough I would do it often.
There is something refreshing about leaving your worries and just enjoying the sun and the company. The whole experience resonated with me because it gave me the inner peace of mind that I needed. I listened to Fleetwood Mac as we arrived, swam in the ocean, rode through crowded streets, and got back in time to sleep in my own dorm. I felt like a mermaid! It was simply perfect.
The other time, my sister and I flew to Paris for the weekend. London and Paris were so different yet similar in a way, and I appreciated being able to experience both. Exploring cities where the accent or language is different teaches you so much about how to navigate the world. It quite literally taught me to be open to receiving any information around me. I learned to greet people every time I walked into an establishment and to stay on the right side of the escalator. Traveling and simply taking everything all in is so priceless to life and one’s growth as a person.
Big Ben was so astonishing and I felt connected to every single movie or book that it was mentioned in.
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One of our first class trips was to the infamous Borough Market.
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One of the best ways to see London is by hopping on an Uber Boat, especially right at sunset.
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Exploring London made me so curious about other cities in Europe, so I ended up in Paris!
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Why did you do Duke in London - Arts?
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I decided to do this program because I was eager to learn more about theatre especially in a big city such as London. I went into it hoping it would solidify my future career in my head, and I can say it changed my perspective on a lot of things. I realized that traveling and learning more about the culture of a new place truly captivates me and who knows what that will mean for my future career. Living in London and seeing different types of theatre also made me gain an appreciation for getting involved in seeing the arts, not just performing.
How will this program play into the rest of your undergraduate experience?
This experience clarified for me that theatre is not exactly the route I want to take. I enjoyed the shows so thoroughly, but to find out that some of the actors have been doing the same act for months made me realize it may not be for me. Now the experience helped me feel confident in my spontaneity. Whenever I just decided to do something or walk somewhere I ended up happier than before.
I am still a Psychology major, just now I will be adding a journalism minor. From this experience I realized my passion for traveling and experiencing a new story every single day. Thanks to the program, I have more clarity!
What advice do you have for students considering this program?
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If you are interested in this program, make sure that you come with your mind and soul open. You may have preconceived notions about visual arts or piano concerts, but you never truly know what you like until you experience them in a city full of stars. I think it’s also important to have a side quest every day. It doesn’t have to be big, but stopping to explore a cool shop or sitting in the gardens for 10 minutes can sometimes change your whole entire experience.
You only get a month to experience a city and by following your passions and joys you will see a whole new world unfold. Don’t be hard on yourself if you start missing home and don’t be afraid to stay in for a day to recalibrate. New experiences are different for each person and it’s imperative that your experience is yours. Honestly if you simply remain in tune with your emotions and passions, you will enjoy exploring the arts of this beautiful city.