After three very long flights back to the United States, I am officially home. I was so relieved after traveling all day. We had to leave for the airport at 3 AM Scotland time, and we didn’t get back to campus until 9 PM. It was exhausting, so I was grateful to finally be back, knowing the traveling was almost over. I’ll definitely miss Scotland, but being home feels comfortable and familiar.
Since I was only away for two weeks, the cultural impact wasn’t huge, but I really did immerse myself in Scotland’s history and traditions through tours and museums. I even went to an authentic kilt maker store! One of my favorite things I noticed was the little differences in language, like how they say “toilets” instead of “bathrooms” and “cheers” instead of “thank you.” By the end of the trip, I found myself using those terms, and it became kind of funny.
What I miss the most about being in the United Kingdom is the leisure time. My favorite part of each day ended up being the hours right before my company’s performance, after we’d finished sightseeing. We would head to the part of the city where the venue was and find a café to sit, relax, and chat. I loved being able to connect more with my company members, and I looked forward to trying new cafés around the city. Another thing I unexpectedly enjoyed was not having data on my phone. It forced me to disconnect and be present in the moment, which made the experience more immersive and helped me form deeper connections with my friends.
My best piece of advice is to be present! Always say yes to new opportunities and take lots of pictures. A practical piece of advice is to make a budget for yourself! While you’ll want to see and do everything, it’s important to be mindful of your spending so you can make the most of your whole trip. Good luck, and have a blast!
