Dancing in Aberdeen

Today we got back into the swing of our sessions with Aberdeen. The topic was really unique -- international leadership development through training and professional development. They shared how the university has set in place a series of accredited training programs to help their faculty and staff learn how to improve their management style and move up within the ranks. The institution seems to have a real emphasis on promoting from within and retaining employees. They do a lot here at the institution, such as leadership training, coaching, mentoring, etc. But they also host an international leadership program, similar to our Fulbright experience. For example, soon they will send a team to the east coast of the US to visit Harvard and other universities so they can learn more about student development and improving the student experience. In the past they have had European trips to schools like Utrecht. 

We also had a nice campus tour with a great (and funny) tour guide. I still can't believe the university was founded in 1495!

I need to hang this up in my office :-)

We had a dinner in the Great Hall here on campus. Afterward they invited in the student dance group and a Ceilidh band called Danse Macabre http://www.danse-mccabre.co.uk/index.html 

It was a load of fun but LOTS of work. We were so sweaty afterwards. And we had a great laugh at ourselves. 

On a non-Fulbright note, one of my colleagues here helped me explore a potential dissertation topic over lunch. I am pretty excited about it. Since today is actually the first day of classes back at Ball State, this was perfectly timed. This semester I will be crafting my research proposal and writing for my comprehensive exams. Most of the folks on this program have already completed a Ph.D. or Ed.D. so I try to collect words of wisdom whenever I can. Even during my university visits I try to keep an eye out for inspiration. 

One of the key things I took away was from Imperial College (our shortest stop). There I learned it is critical you have the ability to describe your research area to a non-academic in a simple "elevator speech". That seems fairly straightforward, but it was really groundbreaking. The topics I'd considered before were interesting to me and helpful to the field, but every time I tried to explain it to someone...the lady next to me on the airplane, a colleague on this program... I found myself tongue-tied and incomprehensible. But with the new topic I find it simple and expansive at the same time. AND people respond to it. I hope it passes muster with my committee when I return :-)

Deeside Day

We had another day of cultural activities to give our brains a rest and rejuvenate. After breakfast our hosts from the University of Aberdeen came to greet us and come along on a day trip along the Dee River. It took us about 2 hours but we rode up into the Highlands to a town called Crathie, near Balmoral Castle where the Queen is currently in residence. 

Our first stop was Royal Lochnagar Malt Whiskey Distillery. We took a tour and did a tasting. I am not a huge fan but it is always need to see how they make it. The Distillery is literally the next door neighbor to the Queen. The only thing separating them is a bit of land, a hill, and all of her security detail :-)

Speaking of the Queen, as we left we could see the guards opening up the gate to let her Land Rover out to go pick her up at the church up the road. There were people gathered along the bridge to try to get a peep. I wanted to jump out and join them. Rumor has it that Prince Harry has been spotted and some even say that the Royal Baby George is around. I doubt the second part. There would likely be more media around if that were the case.  Either way, I snapped a quick picture of the gate and her church as we whooshed by on our coach.

This part of the country is truly beautiful and would be great for hiking, biking or even just a nice drive in a convertible. It is so peaceful. We happened to get some great weather. 

On our way back we stopped at Crathes Castle for some tea & cake and a tour. The unique thing about the castle is that the family was living there up until the 60's when they had a fire. Yet still today they keep family pictures in a room so you can see what they are all up to. In 2005 they had a family wedding there in the gardens. It was an Alice in Wonderland theme, complete with costumed characters. 

I'm trying to call it a night early so I can prepare for a long but productive day of meetings tomorrow. Our theme is Leadership, Management & International Development. 

Weekend in Aberdeen

Robert Gordon University had great foresight in planning a day of cultural activities and leaving us to some much-needed free time. We have been going with such intensity that we all just needed some time to relax, reflect and take it all in. They hired a blue badge tour guide to take us on a coach ride around the city, providing some history and context. We are actually staying on the campus of the University of Aberdeen. So we started there.

One of the bus tour highlights was stopping to walk around a small fishing village on the outskirts of Aberdeen. Each home was once owned by fishermen and their families. Now they look to be inhabited by artists and eclectics. See what you think...

I appreciate the fine examples of meerkat sculpture. 

Afterward we were invited to a private screening of Disney/Pixar's Brave. We loved it and a few of us were fairly close to tears. Great movie about a mother-daughter relationship. It made me fairly homesick for little Helen.

Speaking of family, we learned today that our fearless Fulbright Commission leader, Eilish, has to unexpectedly leave our group and return to Ireland for a family emergency. We were all so heartbroken. She has been so amazing and a load of fun. Our Fulbright family has really appreciated all that she contributed to holding this program together. I can't imagine what it is like on the other side of the planning. Our thoughts are with her.