Hello from Scotland!
I absolutely love it here! I’ve been learning so much and fully immersing myself in Scottish culture. Here’s a little about my study abroad experience so far:
First Impressions
When we landed in Edinburgh, I was so jet-lagged! Our flight was a seven-hour red-eye, and I could not sleep on the plane, no matter how hard I tried. By the time we arrived, I was running on maybe one hour of rest. Since we had to stay awake until the evening, our faculty advisor took us on a walking tour around the city, pointing out places we might want to explore during our visit. I was immediately struck by how stunning the architecture was and how refreshing the cooler temperatures felt.
Those first few days were packed with activities because we were all so excited to be in a new country! But I did experience some culture shock and had to make a few adjustments. One of the biggest surprises was that everything flows on the left side. I knew cars drove on the left, but I didn’t realize people also walk on the left side of the sidewalk. Another adjustment was the amount of walking we did (at least 20,000 steps a day) on top of performing a dance show. My body felt sore and exhausted at first, but it didn’t take long before I adjusted to the physical demands of this adventure.
Excursions
I’ve been able to see so many incredible sights! My favorite experiences have been touring the royal landmarks. We visited the Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh Castle, and—my favorite—the Palace of Holyroodhouse. I’ve always been fascinated by the royal family, so walking through the places where they lived and ruled felt surreal.
Another highlight was learning about my own heritage. Before leaving, my grandfather told me we are connected to the Scottish Stewart/Stuart family. I didn’t expect to uncover so much about my family’s history here, but visiting Holyrood Palace and Edinburgh Castle made it feel real. I walked through rooms where the Stewarts once lived, saw their belongings, and heard stories about ancestors like Mary, Queen of Scots, and Bonnie Prince Charlie of the Jacobite rebellion. Connecting with my family’s past in such a direct way has been an incredible privilege.
Reflection
As I prepare to fly home, I feel deeply grateful for this experience. Scotland has taught me so much about culture, history, and myself. I truly feel like I’ve gained what I needed from this trip, and I can’t wait to share these memories and lessons with others back home.