AustLit

'1990—the exchange agreement between La Trobe University and Barcelona University had just been signed. I, as Co-ordinator on the Barcelona side, was on my first visit to La Trobe. At the time I knew only four people John Barnes and Lucy Frost from English, Robert Archer and Lilit Thwaites from Spanish. As part of my visit, a drinks party was held for me by the English Department and people from other areas of the University also attended. I was somewhat bemused at the attention I was getting as part of this strange but exciting set up in Barcelona where Australian Studies was being taught. I was constantly asked not only at La Trobe but anywhere I went in Australia: ‘Australian Studies in Barcelona. Why?’ The answer was always one that surprised. Prof. Doireann MacDermott had introduced what was then called Commonwealth Studies onto the Syllabus in Barcelona in the late sixties and early seventies. Indeed, Barcelona University was the first University outside the United Kingdom to have such studies on offer to its undergraduates.' (Author's introduction)