#benningtonstudents

Happy Friday everyone! I’m Daniela (she/her), a sophomore studying literature, writing, and directing here at Bennington. Every Friday this month we will be featuring a student with a plan in literature and discussing their studies/projects! Feel free to DM us any questions you may have about what it’s like to study literature here!

Q. Did your interest in literature/writing bring you to Bennington or did you develop your interest here?

I have always wanted to study literature and writing so coming here has been a great opportunity to explore my interests within these fields. The curriculum is always changing so I have gotten to take classes I didn’t even think could exist. I have taken more traditional courses like Shakespeare’s Tragedies to classes like Reading and Writing Nonfiction: Childhood and Its Aftermaths or Victorian Children’s Literature. I really value the fact that Bennington classes are smaller, since it is easier to get more personalized, in depth feedback—something that is definitely helpful when it comes to writing.

Q. Favorite literature class you’ve taken at Bennington?

I found my screenwriting course with Manuel Gonzales to be really influential to my work as it intersected my interest with my interests in film/directing and writing while also pushing me to be more open about sharing my work. Maya Cantu’s class, The Camp Aesthetic, was a drama class but introduced me to films, artists, and plays that continue to influence my Plan. As a literature student, there’s definitely much to be learned from non-literature classes too! I’ve found the photography courses I’ve taken to be helpful in developing my own personal aesthetic which is then reflected in my own work.

(Candles at my desk completely decorative! No open flames in dorms!)

I actually don't know! I haven't spent a summer there yet, I went back home for the summer. However, I know from the final few weeks of Spring term and from my first few weeks of last fall that it varies. It's in the mountains and is inland. Sometimes that leads to very hot temperatures, and sometimes it's cloudy. Nevertheless, it's not overbearing and while many places can be hot around campus (if you're hanging around campus during the summer) there's always shade somewhere, and there are tons of swimming places nearby!

I'd actually suggest heading over to the benningtonstudents tumblr and asking them! The tumblr is run by admissions interns who live in and around Bennington for the summer, and they could definitely fill you in a lot better than I can about what it's like!