War and Justice in Rouen
This spring, a group of UCEAP students studying social justice spent their very first weekend in France visiting Rouen, exploring the life, accomplishments, and unfortunate end of one of the Medieval era’s most famous female figures: Joan of Arc. Starting with the Historial Jeanne d’Arc, a permanent digital installation in the space where the Catholic Church handed down Joan’s sentence of death, students explored the complex legacy of this pivotal figure in the Hundred Years’ War. Symbol, individual, heretic, hero— testimonials of the time give differing accounts of her, and it is the job of today’s historians to piece together what is fact and what is fiction. That is the struggle local guides described to the group as they led them across relevant locations in Rouen, examining not just Joan’s reputation but also what her legacy means to France itself.
Situated in the north of France and acting as a midpoint between Paris and London, Rouen has always had a unique position in Anglo-French relations. Not only was Rouen central to the Hundred Years’ War, but, as the group learned on the guided city tour that wrapped up their day, Rouen was a crucial location for the Resistance during the Nazi occupation of France.
For a cohort of students studying social justice, Rouen served as a perfect example of how the fight for equality has existed long before the advent of postmodernism and social media. It was the perfect start to a challenging and engaging semester!
Program developed in partnership with Accent often include study tours outside the host city. These day-long or overnight excursions allow students to dive deeper into their coursework by exploring new locations, and visiting sites far away from their usual neighborhoods. They also allow students to experience the host country beyond the city where they live, gaining a more complete picture of life abroad. To learn more about the role of study tours in programs aboard, contact Accent’s Program Development team at development@accentglobal.com