NIC course offers spring trip abroad

Mystery, culture and adventure abroad await those who enroll in the spring 2025 British Murder Mysteries class at North Idaho College.

Registration is open now through Jan. 13 for those interested in having an outside-the-classroom experience while expanding their knowledge of the murder mystery literary genre and English, Scottish and Welsh culture.

NIC English Professors Molly Michaud and Audrey Cameron will take students to England, Scotland and Wales after a semester of studying British murder mysteries ranging from Roman times to the present through a cultural lens. Students will read location and time-specific texts, from York, Edinburgh, Anglesey, London, Brighton, and Berwick-Upon-Tweed.

“These help us study the history and cultural aspects to prepare for our trip,” Michaud said.

Michaud created the course in 2017 with former NIC colleague Aaron Cloyd. They and 20 students embarked on a United Kingdom excursion, visiting England, Wales, and Scotland after studying British murder mysteries during the 2018 spring semester. Recently Michaud offered Irish Murder Mysteries and is now returning to the U.K.

“I can’t imagine a better way to cap off a semester of learning than this,” Michaud said. “Being able to visit and explore some of the places we learn about is such a cool opportunity.”

The 2025 British Murder Mysteries trip has 20 slots available for students, faculty, staff and community members.

“Our class time is spent studying history and culture through these murder mysteries, so we have a solid understanding of what we’re hoping to experience once we get there,” Michaud said. “I always see my students’ eyes light up when they get to finally explore the streets of the places we’ve read about. Studying and traveling with Dr. Cameron this year is especially exciting as she’ll bring her perspective as a native Scot.”

The trip is planned for May 20 through June 5. NIC travelers will stay in York, Edinburgh, Chester, and London and visit historic places, such as Westminster Abbey, the underground vaults of Edinburgh, Telford Bridge, Brighton Beach, and the Houses of Parliament. Time throughout the semester will be spent team building and getting in shape in preparation for the foot travel — as many as 10 miles a day.

The trip takes place at the end of the semester to allow for a full experience abroad.

“The travel is timed so that NIC students can participate in the NIC graduation ceremony,” Michaud said. “We’ve also had several dual-credit students participate, and we return in time for them to walk at their high school graduations.”

The course/trip fee is $4,500. This includes round-trip airfare from Seattle to London, all in-country transportation, breakfast every day, and some group dinners/lunches, along with entry fees to several historical sites.

For more information, contact NIC English Professor Molly Michaud at molly.michaud@nic.edu or (208) 769-7878.