This summer, University of Baltimore Prof. Marion Winik did what a lot of faculty members do when classes aren't in session: she took a trip. But this was not for research, in some obscure place with a terrible climate and few amenities. It might have been for inspiration, since Winik is known for her powers of observation, which turn up in her award-winning autobiographical books, and in essays and reviews. It definitely was to see the world—namely Valencia, Spain—and to visit friends who are also enjoying a break from Baltimore. But mostly, as her two recent columns in The Baltimore Fishbowl describe, it was to show her beloved dachsund, Wally, what it takes to be a global citizen.
"It was an amazing transatlantic journey," she says. "It was great, though not exactly smooth sailing."
Traveling on an airplane with a small dog can be fun, but there are a lot of forms to fill out and rules to follow. There are strict weight limits for both the dog and its carrying crate, for example. Also, unexpected issues, like Wally's sensitive stomach, can come up out of nowhere.
Still, as Winik writes in her Fishbowl column, the trip to Spain was highlighted by "gorgeous weather, elegant architecture, beautiful beaches, fantastic dining and shopping at reasonable prices, welcoming locals and a thriving community of expats who all like nothing more than to make plans to meet up for drinks and tapas."
Topping off this dreamy summer, Prof. Winik recently learned that her long-running NPR podcast, The Weekly Reader, is now airing on WYPR's streaming and broadcast channels three times a week.
"It's a huge upgrade for the show and I can't believe it happened after all these years," she says.
This fall, Prof. Winik (and occasionally, Wally) will again be teaching her Creative Non-Fiction workshop on memoir writing, which is part of UBalt's MFA in Creative Writing and Publishing Arts.
"It's my signature class," she says.
Learn more about Prof. Marion Winik.