Lewes, England

Applied Learning Experience in Public History

Iona students have the opportunity to develop and curate a physical and digital exhibition commemorating the 250th anniversary of the publication of Common Sense while in residence at Bull House, the historic home and business of Thomas Paine in Lewes, England. Over the course of a three-week program, three Iona students will work on site with Leanne O’Boyle, director of Bull House, producing an exhibit and visitor interpretation materials. The exhibit will open in January of 2026 in conjunction with a joint conference between the ITPS, Bull House and the University of Sussex, “Common Sense at 250: Legacies of Democracy from Paine to Today.” The nearby University of Sussex will provide housing, social events, gym-access and a weekly excursion to different places in southern England, from London to Brighton. Thanks to the generosity of the Lapidus Initiative for Early American Inquiry at the Institute for Thomas Paine Studies (ITPS), this is a funded opportunity, and students will also receive three course credits (DH 492, “Internship in Public and Digital History”) for their work.

Dates and Schedule

• The program will run between June 29 – July 18, 2025.
• Over the course of the three-week program, the students will work with Ms. Boyle and Iona University professor Adam Arenson, Ph.D., for several hours each day, Monday-Thursday, on designing and implementing the exhibit while getting to know the history and present-day life of Lewes. They will reside at the University of Sussex in their summer housing, where there will also be social events, dining options, and other activities.
• On Fridays, students will participate in an excursion through the University of Sussex with other students from around the world, networking, building community, and learning about the history of southern England. Learn more about student life at the Summer School program here. Please note that your academic experience will be through Bull House, rather than a department on the campus.  
• Students will typically have Saturdays and Sundays at their discretion..
• Applications are due March 14, 2025. Students will be notified of their acceptance by March 31, 2025.

Costs

• Thanks to the generous support of philanthropist and book collector Sid Lapidus, the ITPS is able to fund most costs of the program, including housing and activities at the University of Sussex, flights to and from London, transportation to and from London Heathrow Airport to the University of Sussex, transportation to and from the University of Sussex to Bull House (a ten-minute train that is walking distance from each location; any further accessibility needs will be accommodated); and a $500 stipend for food and incidentals.
• Students are responsible for the following fees. Please note that a tuition fee may also apply for the course credit.
  • A $58 application fee. The application fee is due at the time of submitting the application.
  • A $500 program fee. The program fee is due in two installments; the first payment of $250 is due April 15; the second payment is due May 15.
  • A $52 fee for Mandatory CISI International Health & Repatriation Insurance.
  • Any costs associated with transportation to/from New York area airports.
  • Any costs associated with applying for and/or renewing a United States or other national passport. 

Opportunities and Requirements

• A valid passport: Once you’ve been accepted to the program, you will have until June 1 to provide a photocopy of your passport. If you do not have a passport, here are the details for an expedited application.
  • Please note that when applying, you should note that you should click “no” (do not plan to travel internationally) because the fees  will not yet have been paid at the time of your application.
• Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA): Once you have a valid passport, you will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). Please note that this may take up to 3 business days to process.
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the time of departure
• Students under any active form of academic or disciplinary probation at the time of departure will not be permitted to participate in the program.

Apply Now

Please note that applications are due by March 14, 2025.

Apply: Lewes, England

Questions? Contact:

• Iona on-site representative and instructor for DH 492: Dr. Adam Arenson, aarenson@iona.edu.
• Program Director: Dr. Nora Slonimsky, nslonimsky@iona.edu.
• Study Abroad Office: studyabroad@iona.edu.