2
I take a seat at my desk, looking out at the now full classroom. It’s the last class before finals begin, and it’s been a long semester. It felt a bit longer until I found out I would be teaching abroad next semester.
Central Connecticut State University has a partnership with a few universities in Europe and Canada, where a faculty exchange can be done between the universities.
I was approached by my faculty advisor to see if I was interested, as a lecturer from Trinity College wanted to come to Connecticut.
I guess he, Aidan, has family in the area and hasn’t been able to come and visit for quite some time.
The program offered him the perfect reason to come across the pond.
I almost leapt at the opportunity. While I’ve done a bit of traveling over the years, Dublin and Ireland as a whole has evaded me. Our friend group prioritized wine destinations over anything else, which put us most often in either France or Italy. Or, when traveling domestically, Napa Valley.
The situation is perfect. Aidan and I swap living quarters, and we get to bring over courses we typically teach to their program that aren’t normally offered.
I would be teaching four courses for each semester, two offered by the university and two of my choosing.
I chose to prepare my Modern LGBT Voices and Literature for Young Adults courses, as they are my two classes that always fill up first. The woman in charge of the English program loved my syllabus for the two classes, which made this seem like it would be an easy transition.
Well, workwise an easy transition. My boyfriend, Alex, has his own opinions about having me go abroad for potentially an entire year.
Which is pretty infuriating given the hours Alex works and how little time he leaves for me when I, right now, live in the next town over.
This led to a pretty big blowout fight last night, causing Alex to storm out of Michael’s and my condo. He’s been radio silent since.
Michael, on the other hand, is pumped to be rid of me from the condo. This was vocalized after seeing a photo of what Aidan looked like. He cannot be deterred, no matter how many times I remind him that Aidan has already inquired about where to pick up single women in the area.
“Alright class. We’ve reached the end of Literature for Young Adults, and you all should have finished When the World Tips Over last night. Or, given the bags under some of your eyes, maybe this morning. Who wants to go first on discussion?”
Amy, who is always one of the first students to speak, immediately thrusts her hand in the air. “I enjoyed the multiple perspectives the novel provided. It essentially gave us four lead characters. It could have been something that was executed poorly but was ultimately satisfying.”
Another hand goes up. “Ben, I’m assuming you have a counterpoint?”
He nods. “While I think the book was great, it was really hard to get into at first. I think that was due to the fact we had to learn four main characters before getting into the meat of the story. I think I wasn’t fully invested until we were more or less halfway through the book.”
“Who else agrees with Ben?” About a third of the hands are raised. “I ask because I also had the same problem. I probably, on first read, picked this book up and put it down for a couple of days before it captured me. But I obviously loved it because it wouldn’t have made the curriculum otherwise.”
I reach into my laptop bag, grab a blue dry erase marker and head up to the board.
This is met with a few audible groans from the class.
“What? Did you expect because it’s the last day you wouldn’t have a journal entry?
This one is pretty easy. For today’s entry, pick the character you most relate to.
Meaning the main four – Dizzy, Miles, Wynton, or Cassidy.
Explain how you related to them, and what you see for them if the book were to have a time jump at the end.
You can leave class once you have at least three hundred words, but feel free to go longer if needed. ”
I write the prompt on the board, then settle down at my desk while I listen to the cacophony of laptops emerging from backpacks. I feel my pocket vibrate. A text notification from Alex.
Alex: Can we meet for dinner tonight? I want to discuss a few things
Cryptic. Sounds like he might still be a bit pissy after last night.
Daniel: Sure. Let’s do Casadoro since it’s convenient for both of us. 6PM?
Alex: ok
By the official end of class, Amy is the only student still writing. I start to pack my things, soon hearing her laptop shut and a moment later find her standing at my desk.
“What can I do for you Amy?”
“I just wanted to say that I loved this class. And that I’m really disappointed I won’t be able to take Modern LGBT Voices with you next semester. Are you sure you have to go to Dublin?”
“Wouldn’t you?”
She sighs. “I guess. Free travel sounds like a pretty good perk.”
I take out a notepad and pen. “Who’s your advisor?”
“Petra. Why?”
“I’m going to write a note for you to give her.
See if she can get approval for you to do an Independent Study with me for the next spring semester.
You can always Zoom or FaceTime into the class, and essentially be taking it.
Although, I can’t guarantee what time it will be with the time zone difference and the schedule not released yet.
I just know there isn’t space in the fall semester’s offering. ”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course. You’ve been a delight to have in class. I’m sure you’d bring an interesting perspective to reviewing the materials. Being the only American in class.”
I stand up and hand the note to her, and we both walk out of the classroom.
“I ordered the rest of Zentner’s books when we finished his section.
While I know why it wasn’t included in the syllabus, Colton Gentry’s Third Act might be my favorite of his books.
The best thing I’ve read this year I think. ”
I smile. I always find it rewarding when the authors I choose resonate with my students. “Glad to hear it. I can email a couple of other recommendations you might want.”
Amy laughs as we hit the end of the hall. “I found your Goodreads Professor Pierce. I’ve already filled up my Tbr.” She hurries down the stairs, crossing the parking lot in the direction of Barrows.
I look back down the hall, taking in what will be one of the last times I’ll be here before the journey to Dublin.