Local Schools

Today I visited one of the "public" secondary schools in the country. They call them Academies here and a public school here would actually be a fee-paying private school in American terms. I sat in on three classes with great teachers. All very passionate about their work. Then I met the Rector (Principal) and her team. Amazing people. All so committed. They asked me about Exeter and we chatted for about an hour, all the while I was feeling very fortunate to be at a school with some resources. These teachers in Scotland are committing themselves 100% with no resources and a 6-week summer break. It made me realize just how hard it is to be in a public school and how much we really need to invest - as nations - in our public secondary school systems.


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Location:College Bounds,Aberdeen,United Kingdom

Edinburgh

Today was spent in Edinburgh at another "ancient" university and an amazing city. I walked the university and the Royal Mile. Saw 1,000 wool scarves and blankets and decided that we need to have lambs. They are too adorable and should never, ever be eaten. Meet one and fall in love. Edinburgh is historic, beautiful, charming and romantic all at the same time. The university is very different from Aberdeen. Urban and in the city center. Scotland's weather is a bit like a roller coaster. Brilliant and amazing one minute and pouring rain the next. But, the rain becomes irrelevant here because it comes and goes and the city moves on. This is definitely a city I could live in. Amazing.


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Location:Princes Street,Edinburgh,United Kingdom

The Coast

The weekend in Scotland was terrific. A colleague at the University was kind enough to invite me to his home for the weekend to get me off campus (and out of student housing) and we drove up the coast to see all of the seaside fishing villages. All quite beautiful. We also saw a lot of sheep and this is "lambing" season and all the mothers had their baby lambs. I learned today that it's very common for sheep to have twins - since all the mothers appeared to have two cute little baby lambs with them. Adorable.

Starting back to the project tomorrow.

Cheers.


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Location:Meston Walk,Aberdeen,United Kingdom

The Wee School You Have Never Heard About

The use of "wee" is constant in Scotland and has made me think about its applicability to the University of Aberdeen. While this is a comprehensive institution with medical, business and law schools, it is only 14,500 students, which makes it fairly small compared to some American comprehensive universities. And, Aberdeen as a city is under 300,000. So, compared to NYC or Boston, this is a "wee" place, but significant in its depth and scope and reach (tomorrow the president of Ghana will be here to receive an honorary degree). I'm amazed that more Americans do not come here for college since it's a shorter flight from the East Coast to the UK than to Los Angeles.

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Location:Meston Walk,Aberdeen,United Kingdom

Camilla and Hogwarts

Today was fascinating. First, I avoided being attacked by seagulls because I did not walk down the sidewalks with food in my hand (they will take it from you). Second, I realized that the Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen is HRH The Duchess of Rothesay, also known as Camilla, Prince Charles' wife. Third, I learned that a government issued treasury bond in Scotland is called a "gilt" (I had no idea what they were discussing in the investment committee meeting). Finally, I met a lovely young law student who lived in Texas and decided to attend law school here because it takes 4 years total, not 7 like in the United States. She is a student ambassador for the University and told me she loves it here because she "feels like she's going to university on the Harry Potter Hogwarts set, but it's actually real here...."


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Location:Meston Walk,Aberdeen,United Kingdom

Ides of March

Today was interesting. A day packed with meetings to learn more about AU's strategic plan and budget model. Met with the endowment finance committee. The institution has £57M in endowment and invested funds in the Development Trust, so Exeter's $1.2B is a bit different in size and scale. The highlight of the day was having two aggressive seagulls actually take my sandwich from my hand as j was walking down a cobblestone path.... Actually, quite humorous.


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Scotland Bound

At Heathrow and bound for Aberdeen. It's a bit daunting to be headed to a city on the North Sea founded 8,000 years ago. Yes, 8,000 - three zeros. And, to an institution founded 521 years ago. In the States, we deem anything over 100 years as ancient.


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Location:United Kingdom

A Few Photos - London

A couple of days in London to prepare for my trip to Aberdeen have been wonderful.  I am very lucky to have this opportunity (thank you Fulbright and Phillips Exeter)!  The art at the Tate Modern is extraordinary, but the exhibit about female artists just makes one depressed about discrimination….

Preparing to Travel North

London has been wonderful. I had such helpful meetings on Friday (Marts & Lundy UK), Saturday (PEA Trustee and current parent and wonderfully generous donor), and today (Student Affairs Director at AIU Richmond UK). Lots of pre-work (learning) before I ship off to Scotland tomorrow. I have been immersing myself in learning as much as possible to (hopefully) be as helpful as I can be to the University of Aberdeen. I will be "in country" for 5 weeks and then back to London before heading home the end of April.


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Location:Great Russell Street,London,United Kingdom

Higher Education UK

Had a great day and spent time with my friend from Atlanta, Buck Cook who has moved to London and works for the American International University (www.richmond.ac.uk) in Richmond, UK. He was so helpful explaining the differences with UK institutions. So much to learn and so excited to learn as much as possible!



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Location:Great Russell Street,London,United Kingdom

Tate Modern

Last day in London for a bit, so walked the Millennium Bridge from St. Paul's to Shakespeare and then to the Tate. Pretty amazing morning.


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Location:London,United Kingdom

Arrival

Arrived safely to the UK to begin my adventure. Customs was quick for Americans, not so so EU passport holders. I wonder if Brexit is impacting that, too?

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Location:Stockley Road,West Drayton,United Kingdom

March 6, 2016

Preparations started for the next 7 weeks….  Packing lists and logistical details in process.  I will leave for the UK on 10 March, with a pit stop in London to see friends, meet with a school trustee, and get used to the time zone.  Then off to the North Sea and Aberdeen, Scotland to meet my new colleagues in person.  Getting excited about this experience!