In this episode we'll be talking with Dr Julie Andreshak (Chief Academic Officer and Provost at FIE), Arturo Jarque, FIE's Resident Director in Spain,  and Dr Elena Corbett, Senior Director for Academic Engagement at Amideast; to explore a unique two-country programme that examines one of the most pressing global issues of our time: migration. Centred in Seville, Spain, and Rabat, Morocco, The BORDERS, MOBILITY, AND MIGRATION: EUROPE AND THE MENA programme gives students the opportunity to explore the economic, political, and humanitarian dimensions of migration across Europe and the Middle East and North Africa region.

https://www.fie.org.uk

In this episode I'm joined by Professor Alexis Franzese  and we explore the themes in her recently published book Why the Magic Matters, her academic work, and broader ideas such as authenticity, magic in learning, study abroad experiences, and Disney as a vehicle for edutainment. 

Prof. Alexis Franzese is the Department Chair and an Associate Professor for the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Elon University, and a licensed psychologist with a small private practice. With academic training in the fields of sociology and psychology, her teaching and research interests are at the intersection of these fields and her main area of expertise is within issues of self, identity, and well-being.  She is especially passionate about her study of authenticity- being one’s true self - and is currently conducting research on authenticity and identity within travel and tourism, with Disney as a strategic domain of focus. Her work has been published within edited volumes and other peer-reviewed collections, including journals that span the breadth of her scholarly interests. She is a graduate of Union College (B.A.) and Duke University where she completed two separate doctoral degrees, in sociology and in psychology (clinical).  She loves debating the ethics of authenticity and tries to incorporate her knowledge into her own approach and adventures.

https://www.authenticaf.me

https://www.elon.edu/u/academics/undergraduate-research/dr-alexis-franzese/

In this episode we chat with Dr Brian Ridgers (Scholar, writer and faculty specialising in Literature) about exploring London as a text, asking questions about place and history and why Shakespeare is exciting and relevant for all regardless of our major or degree subject. We also discuss teaching as a collaborative experience between faculty and students and of course, Brian's  City Secret.

http://www.tidetablescafe.co.uk/hollyhock-cafe/

https://www.fie.org.uk/homepage/while-you-re-there/in-london/meet-your-faculty/18-brian-ridgers

In this episode, we explore first-year study abroad programmes, an innovative partnership model between universities and FIE. More than an opportunity to see the world, these programmes are becoming a strategic tool for institutions looking to boost enrollment, strengthen retention, and give students a transformative start to their college journey.
What does it look like when students begin their very first semester thousands of miles from home? How do universities build the systems, staffing, and support needed to make it successful? And who ensures students feel safe, supported, and fully seen while abroad?
Join us as we hear directly from the students who experienced it, the directors who design it, and the dedicated teams who bring these programs to life.

https://www.fie.org.uk/advisors-faculty/first-year-programs

In this episode we chat with Dr Elizabeth Cooper (Scholar, curator and faculty specialising in History) about education as a practice of liberation, how thoughtful curation of an exhibition can be a vital part of building community connections and histories, and the importance of fellowships in Academia. Not to mention Dr Elizabeth Cooper's inspiring City Secret.

https://gardenmuseum.org.uk/exhibitions/sowingroots/

https://www.ucl.ac.uk/racism-racialisation/

In this episode I speak again to brilliant scholar and critic Ramzi Fawaz, this time we discuss why studying the humanities teaches vital skills and how learning to interpret and negotiate with differing perspectives produces not just creative and reflective students but better democratic citizens. We also talk about the teaching practices Ramzi uses in class to foster student resilience, curiosity and emotional regulation and how this impacts us all across all disciplines and subjects. 

Ramzi is a Professor of English at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where he currently holds a Romnes Faculty Fellowship for advanced research in the humanities. He is the author of two monographs, including The New Mutants: Superheroes and the Radical Imagination of American Comics (2016), which won the ASAP book prize, and Queer Forms (2022). Fawaz is currently at work on a new book project titled Literary Theory on Acid: Reading for Diversity in the Psychedelic Era, which argues for the necessity of literary and cultural studies approaches to the contemporary psychedelic renaissance. 

https://www.ramzifawaz.com

https://english.wisc.edu/staff/fawaz-ramzi/

In this short but sweet episode I get all the vital information on the SGLC 2026 from my colleagues, Rebecca Claris and Victor Mellors.

SGLC 2026
March 27-28 2026 | LONDON, UK & ONLINE

LEADING THROUGH UNCERTAINTY: NAVIGATING CHALLENGES WITH INTEGRITY AND PURPOSE

Call for proposals: Open
Registration opens: October 15
Scholarship deadline: November 3

https://www.fie.org.uk/sglcconference

In this episode we explore the role of internships in experiential education—especially within study abroad programs. Hear from former students Eliana Alzate and Mollie Richter about their international internship experiences, and from Renata and Danile of UK-based charity Little Village on what it’s like to host interns. Whether you’re considering an internship abroad or work with student interns, you’ll gain insights into how real-world learning shapes global perspectives and professional growth.

https://www.fie.org.uk

https://littlevillagehq.org

In this episode I discuss accessibility, scholarships and available supports to help students participate in Study Abroad with Angela Schaeffer, the Executive Director of the Fund for Education Abroad. See link to the FEA website for more details:


https://fundforeducationabroad.org

In this episode I talk to three fantastic colleagues: Minaree Jayasena, Stephanie Brown and Pauline McKerrall and get their top tips and recommendations for getting ready for your semester studying abroad. We share advice on choosing the right courses for you, making the most of your classes and being successful, setting expectations and knowing what you need to thrive. Get ready for an incredible experience.