1. Where in the world were you?

I was in Vienna, Austria. 

2. What work were you doing there?

I had 18 UO undergraduates taking two summer classes from me – “International Marketing” and “Consumer Behavior,” both mainstream classes that contribute directly to meeting graduation requirements. We went on 35 excursions during six weeks there, learning about international culture and business. We spent a day at the United Nations and a day at the Chocolate Museum, for example.  Most students stayed with local families.

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

Our students gained a detailed look at life in Austria and will be prepared to face any new culture and its challenges, better able to understand and work with people worldwide. They learned new ways of dealing with the problems facing the world.

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

Perhaps the most interesting location we visited that is not covered in the standard tourist books – but is, in fact, one of the top 10 tourist destinations in Vienna – was the Spittelau Thermal Waste Treatment Plant. The stunningly artistic and intriguing building was designed by a renowned 20th-century artist, Hunderwasser, and contributes to sustainability via a thoughtful approach to using trash to create energy. Who knew that our unit on post-consumption processes would uncover beautiful uses of garbage?

People from Oregon will also want to visit Prince Eugene's Belvedere Palace, which displays Gustav Klimt's famous painting, “The Kiss.”

5. What was the most memorable experience on your trip? 

I asked the 18 wonderful students which excursion taught them the most, and I received 14 different answers. Thus,  the entire experience was valuable for learning about a place from many different angles – arts, culture, food, business, politics, planning, social media, history, lifestyles, recreation, international relations and religion (we visited both St. Stephen's, the largest cathedral in Austria, and City Temple, the largest synagogue).

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.