I Am More Resilient Than I Thought
I am a first-generation Hispanic woman who never imagined that an educational path could intertwine so seamlessly with my love for travel. My journey of self-discovery began long before I boarded the plane to Edinburgh; it started in quiet moments of discipline — saving every dollar, applying for scholarships, and believing, even faintly, that I was capable of more than I’d ever been told.
The kind of travel I was used to was fast-paced, filled with lists of landmarks and quick photographs. It was the kind that never left much room for stillness. But here, in this city of stone and mist, I have learned to move slowly. To notice. To linger in places without the rush to leave. Edinburgh has offered me more than a new landscape; it has given me time, and with it, the chance to explore the parts of myself I had once pushed aside.
Finding Culture Through Activities
When I joined the Archery Society at the university, I had never even held a bow — yet something in me wanted to try. Growing up, I had always carried small dreams like this one, dreams that waited quietly, overshadowed by necessity. Here, free from the constant worry of work and bills, I have the rare privilege to explore them. Every penny I saved back home has given me the freedom to live presently, to dedicate myself to curiosity. It feels as if I’ve stepped into a fairy-tale life, one stitched together with crafts, long walks, and small acts of courage.
Wednesdays, for instance, have become something magical. My friend and I stumbled upon a traditional Celtic dance night that costs nothing but your willingness to join in. At first, I lingered at the edge of the dance floor, surrounded by the rhythmic stomp of feet and the laughter of strangers. The music rose, fiddle strings alive, and I felt the pulse of something ancient and communal. When the next song began, I pushed my hesitation aside and let the music take me. We spun and clapped, breathless and alive, strangers bound by the joy of movement. That night, I learned that belonging often begins when you stop worrying about how you look and simply let yourself be part of the dance.
Learning to Seek Authentic Heritage
My courses have been another thread in this tapestry of discovery. The class that speaks most deeply to me is called “Sustaining Scotland: Heritage, Tourism, and Cultural Sustainability in a Global World.” It has taught me to look beyond the glossy surface of tourism and to ask harder questions: Who is heritage really for? What stories are told, and which ones are left behind? I spend my afternoons exploring museums and archives, searching for the quiet truths that hide beneath curated displays. My current project is to design a museum exhibit based on oral traditions, on the power of storytelling itself. I’ve wandered through old institutions, listening to the echoes of the past and gathering inspiration for how to give voice to the intangible. This process has reshaped the way I see culture. Authenticity, I’ve realized, is rarely loud or obvious; it’s something you uncover slowly, through patience and care.
A Slow Life
“It’s just a train ride away.” That simple phrase has come to define my time here. I’ve wandered through Glasgow, Aviemore, St. Andrews, Callander, Glencoe, Glenfinnan, and Pitlochry — each one revealing a different version of Scotland, each one a reflection of what it means to live gently and pay attention. My love for nature has deepened with every journey. I’ve learned to read the land as a story: history whispered through moss and fog, in the stillness of the lochs and the curve of the hills. Traveling has made me resourceful and sure of myself. I can navigate trains, trams, and buses with ease now, but more importantly, I’ve learned to navigate uncertainty, to find calm in the unfamiliar.
Conclusion
From archery to dancing, from lectures to landscapes, I’ve rediscovered a childlike wonder I thought I had lost. My family is visiting next week, and I can hardly wait to show them the life I’ve built here, piece by piece, with love and persistence.
If I’ve learned anything, it’s this: say yes to what scares you, to the things you’ve always wanted to try. Take every opportunity, even when you’re unsure if you belong in the room — you do. And above all, slow down. Let yourself savor this moment because you will never be in this exact one again.
This post was contributed by Elizabeth Valdes, Global Ambassador for Fall 2025. Elizabeth is a Moody College Junior participating in an exchange program at the University of Edinburgh in Edinburgh, Scotland.
