News And Events

English-Speaking Union - Graduate Scholars Association

The San Francisco Branch first offered scholarships in 1951, the first scholars coming from Australia and New Zealand (in alternate years) to study in the US, usually at University of California – Berkeley. A few years later it was decided to send Americans to Britain. Over the years most have studied at Oxford or Cambridge.  The name of the scholarship changed from time to time but the purpose was constant – to enable American graduates to study in the UK.  The work continues today under Bill Riley, our Graduate Scholarship Chair.

 

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Julia Arce, our 2015 BUSS Scholar, has sent us her B.U.S.S. Reflection 2015

Julia, who teaches English and theology at the Convent of the Sacred Heart High School in San Francisco studied at Exeter College, Oxford. She writes –

In Shakespeare's Henry V, King Henry gives one of the most memorable speeches in all of drama. Speaking to his fatigued and beleaguered armies on the Feast of St. Crispin as they prepare for what is now known historically as "The Battle of Agincourt " (1415), he names his wizened warriors who are about to shed blood, a "band of brothers." Miraculously, they go on to defeat the French that day. On July 20, 2015, the summer school students at Exeter College gathered in the chapel to mark this bittersweet event. We silently entered the intricate and quiet space, flanked by high stain-glass windows and dark-wooden pews, then sat down to await Richard Byrne, son of Austenite and Summer School Director, Dr. Sandie Byrne, lead us in a meditative marking of all lives lost, of courage shared, and of the brilliant and romantic words of the Bard. Shakespeare scholar and tutor, Dr. John O'Connor and his fabulous wife, Kelly, assisted in the readings, creating an atmosphere of simple solemnity and serendipity for all who listened.  

 

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BUSS Scholarship

The San Francisco Branch offers a fellowship for summer study in the United Kingdom as part of its British Universities Summer School. The fellowship covers tuition, room, and board for a local high school teacher.  The BUSS Fellow has the opportunity to perform on the stage of the Globe Theatre during Teaching Shakespeare in Performance, presented by the Shakespeare's Globe, London. Or, to apply to University of Oxford which offers a variety of English Literature courses, as well as courses in Creative Writing, History, and Politics. The Scottish Universities International Summer School, based at the University of Edinburgh offers Creative Writing, Contemporary British and Irish Literature, and Theatre.

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The English-Speaking Union

San Francisco Branch

San Francisco Branch Landmark Photo

Welcome to the ESU

The ESU celebrates English as a shared language to foster global understanding and good will by providing educational and cultural opportunities for students, educators, and members.

To find out more about our programs click here.