Fulbright Offers New Experiences for Both Students and the Lecturer

​Hermansson has researched and taught literature for 17 years and has had a very versatile career. Besides her current home land, Hermansson has worked in universities in Canada and New Zealand. In addition to teaching and researching, she has also written fiction herself.

During the spring term in Turku, Hermansson will give two lecture courses for students: British and American Children’s Literature and American Literature from 1945. The courses are directed at the literature students of both the University of Turku and Åbo Akademi.

In addition to the courses, Hermansson will give six guest lectures which are open to all during her stay.

–I’m also busy with three online courses which I’m teaching simultaneously for the University of Pittsburgh.

The International Office Receives Praise

Hermansson says that the functionality of the Fulbright Program and the services of the International Office greatly influenced her to choose Turku.

As Hermansson’s two children followed her to Finland, the city also had to have good opportunities to attend international schools. Nevertheless, it was partly a chance that brought Hermansson to Finland.

–When I was planning to work abroad, the air conditioning in our house broke and we had to spend weeks in sweltering heat. That is when I decided that I wanted to go somewhere where it’s cold, laughs Hermansson.

Integration to the life in Turku has gone well according to Hermansson.

–Our home town only has 20 000 residents. Therefore, it is nice that there is always something going on in Turku. I was expecting culture shock but it has not happened yet, although my children miss their father and our pet cat who stayed in America.

Despite her Scandinavian roots, Hermansson travelled to Finland for the first time.

–As you can conclude from my last name, I have family in Sweden. However, I had never travelled further North than Stockholm.

Commitment and Humour an Important Part of Teaching

The most important things in teaching for Hermansson are commitment and humour and that you are ready to give something of yourself to the students.
This is clearly present in her teaching. At the beginning of her lecture, Hermansson tells everyone how her holiday with her children went and at the end she unhurriedly answers the students’ questions for nearly half an hour after the lecture.

She considers the Finnish university education to be of high-quality and well organised in all aspects. However, she spots one clear difference to the universities in other countries.

–Studying is very independent here and it is not always compulsory to attend lectures. The downside is that the teachers will not learn the names of the students as quickly as they would if having to check the attendee list, says Hermansson.

Hermansson thinks that there are many ideas on her lectures at Turku that she can bring back home with her.

–For the first time, I’m giving a course on children’s literature. I’m so enthusiastic about the subject that I’m planning to give courses on it back in my home university.
There is a need for teaching children’s literature and for its elevation in America.

Hermansson says that the American children’s books are considerably shorter than the children’s books in other countries. In addition, more and more often the traditional books are replaced by electronic devices, games and movies.
When asked about her own favourites among children’s book, she gives a concise answer after a short consideration.

– Harry Potter and Click, Clack, Moo. They offer content, excitement and humour also for adults.

>> More information about Professor Hermansson:

Matilda Herjanto