Hi, everybody! I’m currently writing this at the airport as
I wait for my flight home, giving me the chance to really look back on the last
five months of my study abroad experience in Glasgow, Scotland. Study abroad is
so many things and since I’m writing this at the end of my experience I’m not
even really sure where to start. In general, Scotland is one of the most
beautiful countries I have ever been to (and thanks to study abroad I have been
to a few now!). The natural scenic views you can get in Scotland by simply
taking the bus or even looking out your window always surprised me, even up
until the day I left. Also, people in Scotland are very friendly and especially
so when they find out that you’re a foreigner. In general, they also have a sense
of humor that while hard to describe or explain never the less always makes me
laugh. My favorite place in Scotland is called Glencoe and it was one of the
first places I went to when I arrived. It had recently snowed and the mountains
were covered and the lochs glistened- it was truly magical.
However, what
really made study abroad so great, and what is probably my favorite thing about
study abroad, was spending it with all the amazing people I met, my flat mates
in particular. Obviously traveling and trying
new things was amazing, but to be honest, some of my favorite memories of study
abroad are hanging out in my flat with my amazing friends and flat mates.
Study abroad also gave me the opportunity to travel to different parts of Ireland, Poland, and England which were all incredible experiences. I went to Ireland during the St. Paddy’s day festivities which was definitely an experience I will not soon forget, however I particularly loved the views from parts of Northern Ireland.
I went to Poland next and it was an interesting trip to say the least. There was a lot to see and do which was exciting, however it was the first time I went somewhere alone where almost no one spoke English. However, as nerve-wracking as it may have been at times it’s an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything because I learned so much about myself and another culture in just six days.
My next trip outside of Scotland was England, which I loved. There is just so much to do and see and so much history to explore, which is right up my alley.
Nonetheless, no place will be as special to me as Scotland, and Glasgow in particular. If study abroad has taught me anything it is that if you want to do something then you have to go for it- you can’t let fear stop you, and you have to learn to take things as they come. This is a concept that while it sounds good and obvious, I think it takes an experience such as study abroad to really help you learn it. I’m so grateful for my experience and the country I called home for five months.
Ashley Hodges
Strathclyde University
Glasgow, Scotland
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| Glencoe, Scotland |
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| The famous Loch Ness |
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| The ruins of Dunnottar Castle in Stonehaven |
Study abroad also gave me the opportunity to travel to different parts of Ireland, Poland, and England which were all incredible experiences. I went to Ireland during the St. Paddy’s day festivities which was definitely an experience I will not soon forget, however I particularly loved the views from parts of Northern Ireland.
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| The Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland |
I went to Poland next and it was an interesting trip to say the least. There was a lot to see and do which was exciting, however it was the first time I went somewhere alone where almost no one spoke English. However, as nerve-wracking as it may have been at times it’s an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything because I learned so much about myself and another culture in just six days.
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| King Sigismund's Column in Warsaw, Poland |
My next trip outside of Scotland was England, which I loved. There is just so much to do and see and so much history to explore, which is right up my alley.
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| Palace of Westminster and Big Ben in London |
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| Stonehenge |
Nonetheless, no place will be as special to me as Scotland, and Glasgow in particular. If study abroad has taught me anything it is that if you want to do something then you have to go for it- you can’t let fear stop you, and you have to learn to take things as they come. This is a concept that while it sounds good and obvious, I think it takes an experience such as study abroad to really help you learn it. I’m so grateful for my experience and the country I called home for five months.
Ashley Hodges
Strathclyde University
Glasgow, Scotland
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