By Mark Kerr, Senior Communications Officer

Queen’s MiniU is heading overseas for the first time.

“We are excited to offer this academically rich program at the Bader International Study Centre (BISC),” says Melanie McEwen, Manager, Alumni Education and Travel. “This weekend offers alumni and friends who might have heard about the ‘Castle’ to finally experience it firsthand.”

MiniU is an educational program for Queen’s alumni and friends that started on campus in 2008. The event gives participants the chance to interact with Queen’s world-class faculty and researchers in an experiential learning environment.

“Faculty are also looking forward to highlighting the many ways the Castle’s history and proximity to major cultural centres in Europe enhance the student learning experience.”

– Melanie McEwen, Manager, Alumni Education and Travel

Alumni Relations extended MiniU off campus this year with upcoming sessions at the BISC in Sussex, England, and in Toronto. BISC faculty will share with alumni their areas of research and teaching throughout the weekend.

Highlights of the preliminary BSC itinerary include:

• Christian Lloyd, a consultant on the new Jimi Hendrix Museum in London, England, talking about researching the everyday life of the rock legend
• Shelley Katz, the BISC’s musician in residence, giving a private concert
• Scott McLean, history lecturer at the BISC, revealing the archaeological significance of the Herstmonceux Castle Estate
• Peter Lowe, associate professor of English literature at the BISC, speaking about English travel writing in the 1930s

In addition to education sessions, some of the other activities planned include small group tours of the Castle battlements and archery lessons.

“MiniU at the Castle gives BISC faculty members the chance to showcase the field schools they run in the summer,” says Ms. McEwen. “Faculty are also looking forward to highlighting the many ways the Castle’s history and proximity to major cultural centres in Europe enhance the student learning experience.”

Plans are underway for the return of the Queen’s MiniU campus weekend as well as other regional events. Alumni Relations will announce the details on the MiniU website as they become available.

Queen’s MiniU at the Castle takes place April 11-13. More information is available on the Alumni Relations website.