Arcadia England

We are very excited to announce the hiring of our third core faculty member, Dr. Chris McMillian. Chris has taught Introduction to Sociology for Arcadia London since Fall 2013, encouraging students to break social norms across London, and has been described as “phenomenal”, “interesting” and “provocative” by his students. Chris will also teach the of the Internship Core Class Work in Thought and Action as well as join Dr. Laurence Scott and Dr. Richard Maguire in continued Arcadia London Faculty initiatives.

We caught up with Chris to see what makes him tick, what music he enjoys and what advice he has for students studying with us here in London.

What are you looking forward to most about your new role?

I'm excited to be working with students who are enjoying an adventure of a lifetime and really keen to experience everything that life, and London, has to offer. One of my core roles at Arcadia is to teach sociology and I always enjoy discussing ideas with students from an entirely different background. I'm also looking forward to taking on the academic internship programme and helping students extend on their experiences through research.

What are your hobbies?

I find my life quite exciting. If you are not me, however (and most of you are not), my life is quite dull.

Much of my time is spent either involved in sport or remembering that I used to spend a lot of time playing sport. Instead I now spend a lot of time yelling at the TV, which may or may not be on. I do play cricket for Kew Cricket club, where my ambition far exceeds my ability. I also grudgingly watch a lot of football. I don't really like football, but I have to have something to talk to the locals about. It offends me when the players fall over, roll on the ground and hold their faces. Just get up. I generally prefer watching rugby, but only from my native New Zealand, as the English are generally unable to do so.

I'm also quite fond of my wife. She's pretty cool and we have some nice adventures. We're from deep in the suburbs of Auckland (NZ), which is miles away from anything interesting except for beaches, my family and my friends, so the opportunity to travel around Europe is pretty big for me. Favorite spots so far: Barcelona and Dublin, but the first time you go the central Paris at night is something you won't forget. I'm also off to the U.S. for a few weeks in August so there might be some other places to add to the list. I also read a lot, but nothing cultured or interesting for anyone else. Just social theory, politics and sports news. I'm exciting to be around.

Otherwise, I'm pretty big into Duck charming, which is surprisingly popular in New Zealand and enjoying a resurgence in London. There is something about wading into a dank British pond and getting a raft of ducks to move in unison that really speaks to the human spirit.

Name one song you enjoy listening to at the moment.

I think one of the strongest signs that you're getting older is when you stop listening to new music and stick with your favorites. Sadly, for me this happened sometime in the 1990s and my phone is full of the likes of Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Radiohead*. I'm actually listening to some Pink Floyd at the moment, but that makes me seem far too old, so I'm going to go for a New Zealand favorite 'Save Yourself' by Greg Johnson. Some Alanis Morisette just came on, so I best stop typing before it becomes too 'Ironic'.

What is your advice to study abroad students in London?

Two contradictory things based around the same idea - avoiding settling into the pattern of an American life lived in another country.

Try to understand how the locals live and start to live like a local, but also don't lose your curiosity. It is very easy to settle into the rhythm of everyday life and forget about the world of difference on your doorstep. The comfort of the familiar is a wonderful thing, but to be used sparingly.

Also, take sociology. It's pretty cool.

We are looking forward to working with Dr. Chris McMillian and with that brilliant advice, we imagine you are as excited to be taught by him.