Reflecting on Where I Am I’m just about at the two-month mark of my semester abroad in Edinburgh, Scotland, and each day, I still walk around slightly dumbfounded at my new reality. Thinking back to a year ago, I did see myself on a study abroad program in Scotland. This… read more
Scotland
From Texan to Tartan: Embracing the Magic of Saying Yes in Scotland
Arriving in Edinburgh felt like stepping into a gothic snow globe. Now, two short weeks later, that feeling hasn’t faded, and I’m confident it will stay with me for the next five months. With its medieval architecture and shadowy cobblestone streets, this city has brought my dream of attending Hogwarts… read more
Embracing Fall in Edinburgh
This week marks my fifth week in Edinburgh, and time seems to crawl and fly by simultaneously. While I’ve settled into a routine and feel more at ease with the rhythm of the city, I still wake each morning slightly astonished that I am living abroad. Although the novelty of… read more
Unconventional Study Abroad Destinations You Might Not Have Considered
The world offers no shortage of destinations to consider when studying abroad. However, it seems that many students often favor the same Western European options. While Spain’s assortment of flavorful “tapas” and the romantic atmosphere of France land these countries among the top three on the U.S. News and World… read more
Studying Abroad More Than Once
There are many myths associated with studying abroad, such as its unbearable expense, that you can only go abroad once or that the planning phase is completely overwhelming. My experience debunks these myths. I’ve had the extraordinary ability to study abroad twice and am going abroad a third time this… read more
Embracing Where You Are: Getting to Know Edinburgh
One of the greatest opportunities students have while studying abroad is traveling. Being in such close proximity to some of the most breathtaking views, historic sites and charming cities is a gift that should not be taken for granted. That being said, I would argue that familiarizing yourself with your… read more
Finding Community and Creating a Routine Abroad
Most people won’t tell you this, but your first couple of days in an exchange or study abroad program can be extremely daunting. I remember sitting in a hostel on my first day in Edinburgh, feeling intimidated and anxious, as though I made the wrong decision. It might take a… read more
Finding Solace in the Unknown
Tomorrow marks exactly two months since I left Texas for Scotland, and it’s so hard to come up with the words to accurately describe this experience. I feel like I’ve been living in a fever dream, and I think I’ll need at least another year to process everything. Honestly, if… read more
Adventures Come in All Shapes and Sizes
One month before I left for Edinburgh, I bought a journal so that I could record my adventures abroad. I loved the idea of reflecting on my personal stories later on, but I also feared that my time in Edinburgh wouldn’t live up to my imagination. What if something bad… read more
Hogwarts Looks a Bit Different Here…
I could lie and tell you that I chose to study abroad in Edinburgh, Scotland, because of some sophisticated, mature reason. But the truth is that when I first looked at pictures of the Scottish capital online, I thought it looked like Hogwarts – and as a huge Harry Potter… read more