1. Where in the world were you?

I was in the United Kingdom, staying in London through July 31, and then Edinburgh, Scotland, for the final week of this program.

2. What work were you doing there?

I was leading the "Fantasy on the Fringe" study abroad program, also known as "Harry Potter in the UK," and teaching its two courses, one in fantasy literature, and one in the folklore and pop culture of the UK. My work involves classroom instruction but also includes the orchestration of several dozen site visits, excursions, events and guest speakers. For example, we saw "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre; heard from a scholar from King's College London about barriers facing women in the UK film industry; visited JK Rowling's childhood hometown of Tutshill, England, together with Chepstow Castle and Tintern Abbey; and explored exhibits at the John Soane Museum, the Institute for Contemporary Art, the Wellcome Collection and the Tate Modern – and those are just a few examples! My unique task in this setting was to ensure that our experiential learning and our traditional (classroom/reading/writing) learning were coordinated, and to work with the wonderful site staff here to keep it all running smoothly.

3. What does this work mean for your students, peers, the public and/or the university?

For the students who participate in this program, it's a one-of-a-kind experience that allows for an intensive and immersive exploration of fantasy, folklore and pop culture in an intercultural setting. They have the chance not only to engage in discussions of fantasy and folklore, but also to delve into the cultural sources of these phenomena and gain firsthand experience. They return to the states with a rich understanding of the UK, experience conducting ethnographic fieldwork in an international setting, experiential knowledge of festival life in Scotland and a greatly enriched understanding of why and how 'the fantastic' is such an important part of our lives.

For the university, "Fantasy on the Fringe" is but one among nearly 40 (and counting) UO Global Seminars programs – programs in which UO professors and instructors lead groups of students to international settings for immersive, experiential learning. Most of these programs are between two and eight weeks in duration, though the model is flexible and accommodates many different variations. UO Global Seminars expand the parameters of what is possible in instruction at the UO, allowing faculty members in every academic field to design site-based, hands-on educational experiences that can significantly enhance the learning of their students. This area of study abroad programming is rapidly expanding as both faculty members and students seek innovative ways to add experiential learning to their schedules. As such, it is an integral part of the UO's strategy for growing study abroad participation among undergraduates from 25 percent to 40 percent of the graduating class.

I also serve as the main administrative contact for faculty members who are interested in designing new programs of this type, and I am always happy to speak with anyone who has a new idea. Given my dual role as the administrator of the UO Global Seminars suite, and a faculty director in my own right, I have a uniquely well-rounded perspective on how these kinds of programs work and can see at once both the possible administrative, financial and procedural challenges and the importance of remaining true to the vision of the program's faculty director, and I believe that this "double vision" makes me a very strong partner for interested faculty members.

4. Tell our readers something they should do if they ever visit this locale.

Wow, it's difficult to name just one thing to do when visiting the UK! When in London, be sure to take advantage of the museums. Many of the major ones are free to the public, thanks to the generosity of the British taxpayer, so don't pass up the chance to see what's on display at the British Museum (such as THE Rosetta Stone), the Tate, the Tate Modern, the John Soane, the Wellcome Collection and others. The collections are astonishing and informative, revealing a great deal about the items on display as well as the immense imperial power of Britain – the kind of power that drew so many cultural artifacts into the metropole. And be sure to see a show at the Globe. I recommend standing in the Yard (more affectionately known as 'the Pit'), since it's much better, in Renaissance-style theatre, to be 'in the action,' as it were (plus, every showing has 700 Yard tickets for just £5!). If you get to Edinburgh, you must visit Greyfriars Kirk and Cemetery and also walk the length of the Royal Mile, which is such a well preserved medieval and Renaissance area that we postmodern Americans might be inclined, on first impression, to recall some vaguely medieval amusement park at home. Finally, don't just stay in the capitals or other large cities; get yourself out into some of the villages and countryside and coasts (never more than 73 miles from where you are – anywhere in the UK). Chepstow, Wales, for example, is a delightful place to spend a day or two, though it's well off Britain's beaten tourist track.

5. What has been the most memorable experience on your trip?

The most memorable moment for me occurred on our very first day. We took a brief cruise on the Thames, and I enjoyed watching my students' faces light up as they began to recognize the major landmarks: Big Ben, Parliament, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, London Bridge, Tower Bridge, London City Hall (shown in "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince"), the Gherkin, the Tower of London and the Globe. That sense of awe and excitement is what drives us to visit and explore other places and cultures and is the energy that inspires studying abroad. The learning goes a great deal beyond such a touristic impulse, of course, but that raw excitement is what keeps us all traveling and learning in the first place.

UO Abroad is a recurring feature in AroundtheO that spotlights UO professors, staff and GTFs whose work takes them overseas. If you or someone you know is traveling abroad, contact Communications Specialist Matt Cooper at mattc@uoregon.edu.