My University of the World: Adventures of an International Film & Media Maker

by Neill McKee

Neill McKee takes us on an entertaining journey through the developing world from 1970 to 2012. His memoir is filled with compelling dialog, humorous and poignant incidents, thoughts on world development, vivid descriptions of people and places he visited and worked in, and over 200 images (ebook and hardcover in color), all of which bring readers into his "University of the World." The story starts when he becomes a "one-man film crew," documenting the lives of Canadian CUSO volunteers working in Asia and Africa as teachers, medical doctors, nurses, engineers, agriculturalists, foresters, technicians, and a biologist. He learns the craft of filmmaking and meets and marries Elizabeth "on the hoof." The story is enlivened throughout by their challenges and adventures together, and Elizabeth's growing artistic talent and creations. Beginning in 1975, the young couple settles in Ottawa and starts a family, while Neill roams the world for Canada's International Development Research Centre. His award-winning films depict the agency's philosophy and search for solutions to problems in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, aquaculture, rural development, education, health, water and sanitation, and more. Then in 1990, McKee joins UNICEF in Bangladesh, and later in Africa, where he initiates long-lasting multimedia programs for child health, with a focus on empowering girls. In 2001, he moves to Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA, and then to Moscow, Russia, where he oversees similar initiatives. That experience leads him to a memorable last post in Washington, D.C. as director of a large global communication project. Throughout the short chapters and in a brief epilogue, McKee reflects on the long-term impact of the projects he documented and of his media creations. This is a book for anyone interested in world affairs and development, film and multimedia production, the use of media for behavior and social change, exotic travel, and interesting career choices.

533 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 31, 2023

About the author

Neill McKee is a creative nonfiction writer based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His first travel memoir, Finding Myself in Borneo, won a bronze medal in the Independent Publishers Book Awards, 2020, as well as other awards. McKee holds a Bachelor's Degree, from the University of Calgary and a Master's Degree in Communication from Florida State University. He worked internationally for 45 years, becoming an expert in the field of communication for social change. He directed and produced a number of award-winning documentary films/videos and multimedia initiatives, and has written numerous articles and books in the field of development communication. During his international career, McKee worked for Canadian University Service Overseas (CUSO); Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC); UNICEF; Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; Academy for Educational Development and FHI 360, Washington, DC. He worked and lived in Malaysia, Bangladesh, Kenya, Uganda, and Russia for a total of 18 years and traveled to over 80 countries on short-term assignments. In 2015, he settled in New Mexico, using his varied experiences, memories, and imagination in creative writing.

Reviews

[Sara Trimble · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I received a copy of Neill McKee’s non-fiction memoir, “My University of the World: Adventures of an International Film & Media Maker”, I was prepared for exciting stories from abroad. I had no idea there would be a undernote of romance in the prose. How awesome!

Many of us won’t be able to travel around the world, experiencing new cultures and historical events. Books can be a great way to see new places and things without actually going to those places. I had an exciting time going through the various decades and different countries. McKee painted a vivid historical documentary as he walked us throughout the world and significant events that unfolded.

All the while, we got to cheer for his budding romance to the love of his life as they settled in Ottawa. While he followed the Canada’s International Development Research Centre as a one-man film crew to start his filmmaking career, he also juggled the challenges of family life.

We got to see what life was like between the 1970s and 2012 for volunteers helping in Asia and Africa. Furthermore, we get to see the amazing things all of these helpers have done for humanity throughout the years. McKee’s involvement and captured film moments highlight the impact his contributions have made on the lives of thousands across the globe as he transitioned from a documentary filmmaker to his final professional role in Washington, D.C., where he held the role of director for a global company.

Overall, this geographical documentary memoir was an interesting read for fans who enjoy learning about life in other time periods and geographical locations. The only advice to give is to not get bogged down by trying to recount the different names, professions, and locations. Just enjoy the stories as they flow. The author has met and worked with so many different people, there are a ton of incredible stories to explore.

[Sara Trimble · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I received a copy of Neill McKee’s non-fiction memoir, “My University of the World: Adventures of an International Film & Media Maker”, I was prepared for exciting stories from abroad. I had no idea there would be a undernote of romance in the prose. How awesome!

Many of us won’t be able to travel around the world, experiencing new cultures and historical events. Books can be a great way to see new places and things without actually going to those places. I had an exciting time going through the various decades and different countries. McKee painted a vivid historical documentary as he walked us throughout the world and significant events that unfolded.

All the while, we got to cheer for his budding romance to the love of his life as they settled in Ottawa. While he followed the Canada’s International Development Research Centre as a one-man film crew to start his filmmaking career, he also juggled the challenges of family life.

We got to see what life was like between the 1970s and 2012 for volunteers helping in Asia and Africa. Furthermore, we get to see the amazing things all of these helpers have done for humanity throughout the years. McKee’s involvement and captured film moments highlight the impact his contributions have made on the lives of thousands across the globe as he transitioned from a documentary filmmaker to his final professional role in Washington, D.C., where he held the role of director for a global company.

Overall, this geographical documentary memoir was an interesting read for fans who enjoy learning about life in other time periods and geographical locations. The only advice to give is to not get bogged down by trying to recount the different names, professions, and locations. Just enjoy the stories as they flow. The author has met and worked with so many different people, there are a ton of incredible stories to explore.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes readers on the captivating journey of a man who started this adventure as a self-taught photographer. McKee who calls Canada his home, joined Canadian CUSO volunteers in Asia and Africa. There he documented the lives of the Canadian volunteers working as teachers, medical doctors, nurses, engineers, agriculturalists, foresters, technicians, and a biologist.

McKee’s ability to share his journey with captivating stories and pictures easily kept my interest. It’s one thing to be able to take pictures and create a documentary, but writing an interesting retelling of these events too often ends with pages of dry facts. However, McKee managed to fill his story with vivid descriptions of people, places, and events that kept the story interesting.

For those who like memoirs that revolve around world travel and history that is portrayed without glamor, this will be a book to consider.

As I mentioned earlier, there are interesting pictures included and you can find videos on the internet.

This is a book you won’t want to overlook.

My thanks to the author for a #gifted copy. This did not influence my rating.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book! I am so impressed by the detail that Neill put into his memoir. That he was able to bring me back to all those incredible experiences was awesome. What I loved the most about his memoir is that it gave such a realistic account of his travels. So much of the travel you see talked about tends to share it with a glamorized picture. And Neill really took you to where he visited. He shared the ick moments, the iffy moments, the inspiring moments, and everything else in between. I was also fascinated by his follow-up searches for the places he visited.

I think this is the perfect book if you are interested in world affairs, whether it's from a journalism perspective or world traveling or something else in between. He also included pictures, which I really appreciated while reading. I also enjoyed watching some of the videos he made that he shared online: https://www.neillmckeevideos.com/

Definitely pick this one up! You don't want to miss this book this year. It's a fascinating memoir I'm glad I read.

[Christopher Smart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a memoir that will appeal to the first generation who lived the opportunities offered by the creation of the international volunteer movement—Peace Corps, CUSO, VSO, UNV. McKee’s curriculum vita, which is the essence of autobiography, is also a history in miniature of an era in international development, a firsthand report of the past waning, a future waxing. McKee reaches back to the challenges of the 1960s and 70s efforts to work for a better world (the utopias we thought possible), and brings the story up to the 2000s. He has lived international development and encountered people, places, and prospects to document and film the wished-for changes. Readers familiar with Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) will appreciate how well McKee narrates the story of its promoting local knowledge-making to foster and empower problem-solving where inadequacies of health, nutrition, and education had previously delayed development. My University of the World is a necessary read for anyone considering work in international development.

[Crystal Otto · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I don’t even know where to start while talking about my feelings after reading My University of the World. I first need to explain that as a mother with six young children and as the owner of a small Wisconsin dairy farm, I don’t get an opportunity to travel much. I’ve never even left the country. I don’t share that information in hopes of your pity, I just want to explain how well Neill McKee’s writing draws the reader in. I physically feel as though I’ve now been to South Africa, Uganda, India, Sri Lanka, and more! McKee’s powerful writing pulled me into the environment and relationships he forged throughout his career as an international film and media producer. I am grateful that he was willing to share his experiences through photos and stories. This is a book I would recommend to those who have traveled extensively or those, like myself, who wish to travel—if only through the pages of the books we read!"

[Charity Bartley Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a truly thrilling memoir. He incorporates humor along his life’s journey filled with love on the road where he has made a difference. This is a creative nonfiction work about his adventures as an international film and media maker, but it is even more than that. It is his travel memoir as he is part of the world and we go on a journey with him throughout his life. It is a delightfully insightful story and we learn about him and hear the tales of his interesting experiences.

He is a fantastic wordsmith and we see, hear, and experience his life as he did throughout the years. His detailed writing is inspiring. McKee is a man of many talents and he has shared them with his readers. The book is well-designed with an engaging story as he shares his loves with us. The photos he has incorporated are perfectly interweaved within the pages as well.

[Judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A few too many times using the word 'I'. We know it's a memoir, but really? I got so busy counting the number of times the word 'I' appeared on the page, the story just faded away. It's a pity, because the author has seen and done quite a bit.

[Jill Sheets · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the detail that Neill McKee put into his memoir, "My University of the World," along with the pictures throughout the book. It felt like he took me along with his ride. Visiting the places he went to and meeting the people he did.



This amazing memoir would make a great movie. Hopefully one day I will get to sit down and watch it. We will have to see.



Are you a traveler or have always wanted to? This book is for you.

Just sit down and enjoy. It will be the start of your adventure.





Videos: https://www.neillmckeevideos.com/

[Julie Ma · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was exciting to read all about the amazing life of Neil McKee...I'm sure it will inspire young and less young readers to get out their way to pursue the career they are dreaming of! But I wish there were more descriptions of the countries and cities he visited, so the readers could really feel like travelling with him