My semester in historic Scotland

My experience studying abroad in the Fall of 2017 was incredible! I had a hard time picking a program and location because of all the options that were available. Once I had it narrowed down to the UK, the picture of the University of Edinburgh is what eventually made my decision. It was absolutely dreamlike!

The API staff was with me all along the way. From after I submitted my first application to getting reacclimated to the States when I returned home, I always had a contact within the program that I could ask questions and get answers from. The best part with API was all of our Cultural Excursions. We had four excursions to different prominent cities in Scotland that gave us a good look at the different cultures within Scotland from the Scottish Highlands to the largest city, Glasgow. We also had culture events throughout the semester that gave us many authentic Scottish experiences. We went to things like a rugby game, we had afternoon tea, and went on a scotch whiskey tour. These events happened almost every week and showed me new things that I wouldn't have thought to see or do without the group.

In Scotland, there was an onsite program director that led us in these excursions. She was an American who had moved to Scotland to get married. Alexis had a unique perspective as she had been in our shoes before. She had studied as a grad student at the University of Edinburgh so she also had good advice for schooling and how to navigate that. I got to see first hand how involved she could be in case of extreme circumstances.

API gave us the option of how involved they needed to be. If we needed something, they were there. If we didn't, we could be as independent as we wanted to be.

There was initial training online to do before we left and then there was helpful country-specific training once we got there with information like where to buy toiletries and groceries. There was information on language differences, even though they speak English there are certain words that mean different things in Scotland versus over here in America.

Studying abroad was the experience of a lifetime. I would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone, there are so many programs out there that everyone should be able to find one that they can make work. It broadens your horizons and teaches you life lessons that can only be learned through experiencing them. I have gained confidence and the ability to articulate my Study Abroad experience while in Scotland and since I've been back!