Whenever I thought about studying abroad, it seemed like something impossible to me. Little did I know how easy it really would be. The UTC Study Abroad office and my advisor at USAC made the whole process easier for me; from helping with the loads of paperwork to checking on my well-being whilst on my trip. One thing I do highly recommend is to not be afraid to email and ask questions! It would not have been this easy if I did not have almost constant communication with these people.
When I landed in Scotland, I was instantly awestruck. I had never been on a plane before, let alone out of the country. Everything I saw was brand new to me, it was honestly a little overwhelming. My first two days there were spent unpacking and sleeping off the jetlag so I could be at my best for classes. The university itself was an amazing place. All of my professors were so kind and welcoming to me and the rest of the foreign students that I came to know. School in the UK is so different. Lectures at Stirling University were not mandatory, and the concept of having seminars was very new to me. However, coming from an education major, I really enjoyed them because I felt I interacted best with my professor and the content in those sessions. All of this being said, I still got into the rhythm of things pretty quickly. I dedicated two or three hours a day to studying for my classes or preparing for essays then had the rest of the day to myself. Normally that free time was spent exploring my area!
Scotland has a rich history, one could never stop learning in this country. Stirling is a big part of this history and is the perfect place to be if you do not like a super large city. There was so much to do, like go to the William Wallace Monument or Stirling Castle, but it was not over crowded. If you do like the big city setting, though, Stirling is just a cheap one hour train ride from Edinburgh and Glasgow! I took these train rides often using the ScotRail app- it made traveling so easy! Such as when I took a train to London during my reading week. London was a gorgeous place and it seemed unreal that I was there. One of the greatest things about studying abroad to me was the fact that I was not confined to the place I chose to go, I could travel on my own!
Another great thing about studying abroad was everything I learned about myself and the world. Learning about different cultures, religions, and ethnicities is very important to me and this trip was an amazing opportunity to do just that. My roommates and the friends I made were from all over the world. I learned a great deal about so many different cultures. This lead to me learning more about myself as a young adult and the kind of person I want to be going forward in life.
Laura Walker (BS Secondary Education: English) spent the Spring 2024 semester studying abroad in Stirling, Scotland through USAC. Laura had the following to say about studying abroad, “Studying in Stirling, Scotland was one of the greatest experiences of my life. The moment I landed I knew I made the right decision in choosing that location. From the school, to the adventures, to the support of my provider program, I had a truly amazing time!”
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