Scotland: Stirling - Undergraduate Courses

I had always harbored a lot of anxiety about studying abroad, so my family was shocked when I decided to apply to this program. I'm so endlessly grateful that I did, as my fears melted away a couple days after I arrived. I got my own room and bathroom at Stirling University, which, as someone who has always shared a bathroom, felt very fancy. My suitemates and I cooked and ate dinner together every night, which was a new experience for me as at my college, I usually rely on the dining halls. The other people in my program were from across the country and even a few were from Australia! I took a Scottish History class that I adored. Learning about Scottish history and then getting to see the places it occurred made me feel so alive and inspired. It was so fascinating to get to stand in the room where David Rizzo was murdered in Hollyrook house. Mary Queen of Scots life story has always felt so fantastical and dramatic that it was surreal to walk in her shoes in some of the places she lived.
In my English class, we discussed the definition of science fiction, the history of the genre, and themes of colonialism, gender, queerness, patriarchy and utopia. One of the most memorable of the works we read was The Wasp Factory, by Scottish author Iain Banks. The book tackles questions about gender and sexuality, but is very dark, repressive and dystopian. One weekend during my time in Scotland, my suitemates and I traveled to Edinburgh for a Pride celebration. As I marched in the Pride parade, I thought of The Wasp Factory which came out in 1984, and reflected on how the nation's ideas about sexuality have evolved to become more accepting since then. The parade was a living example of the freedom LGBTQ+ individuals in Scotland now have to celebrate their identities with support from the general public. Holding my bisexual flag high in the air, I could feel the joy of Scotland’s queer community reverberating around me. It was a long walk through the city but I never felt tired. Instead I felt fueled by the energy of my beautiful community and incredibly proud of the progress that has been made in LGBTQ+ equality.
Through this experience, I gained a lot more self-confidence. I was able to thrive in a new country where I didn't have my friends and family to rely on. I was able to face difficult issues like getting caught in the rain in Glasgow and getting a migraine in Aviemore. I was exposed to so many new experiences, like swimming in a loch, and met so many new people. Learning about Scottish history and getting to see the places it occurred made me feel so alive and inspired. My teachers were full of stories and advice, and campus itself was picturesque.

I had an absolute blast in Stirling! I love the town and the campus. I made lots of friends and played on the rugby team. Rugby was definitely my favorite part. I had fun at the games, practices and socials. I would really recommend getting involved and jumping in headfirst, even if it’s a little hard at the beginning. I loved touring around Scotland. It’s so beautiful. My only frustration with USAC was the field trips. Once we were on them, they were great, but we didn’t know when they would be and then when we thought we knew, dates changed. It made it very hard to plan for. Other than that. Everything was great! Scotland is so pretty, and I appreciated the field trips taking us there, I just wish the organization had been a bit better with earlier communication.

Scotland. The most perfect country! I have never been to a more welcoming and fun place in all my life! The people were friendly wherever you went. The school was not too big, not too small. You're a hop skips from town so you can either walk, bike or bus. Then you have the train station that runs directly through town, so anytime you want to get to the city (Glasgow or Edinburgh) you can. I also went on a trip through the highlands, which was lovely. The sights are phenomenal and the history is fantastic! Stirling is a lovely town with bustling shops and plenty of restaurants to keep you busy during the week. The castle is one of my favorites in Scotland, and the Wallace Monument is worth all 246 steps. Climb Dumyat, the hill right behind campus: It's a great hike for beginners or experts. A Harry Potter fans dream world as well! Scotland holds many prominent filming sites for people to go and enjoy, as well as the Elephant Café, where the first novel was written. Flights out of either airports were plenty as well. I managed to do 9 other countries in my short 5 month stay. Take advantage of being in Europe and TRAVEL!! Whether its by hitting every city in Scotland, or training around Europe- DO IT! There is so much out there to see and learn... open your eyes and live.

I went to Stirling last fall and it was absolutely the best semester I've ever had. The courses are really well taught and the campus/city/country is beyond beautiful. It was a bit unbelievable to have a lake on campus & a mountain right next door, so lovely! There are paths all around to walk and the city of Stirling itself is awesome as well! It's really easy to get around as the bus system is on point, they really cater to students. Stirling is a perfect mix of country & city, that's a key factor that made me choose it over a bigger city like Edinburgh, plus, you're only a short train ride away from Edinburgh AND Glasgow, so it's a win-win. There is great shopping, coffee, nightlife, and history in Stirling, I would recommend everyone go there! My favorite place downtown was The Burgh, a lovely local cafe with great coffee & a great vibe. Anyway, if you love nature, Stirling's for you, and if you love city, they've got that too. Just go! You won't regret it.

Choosing to study abroad in Stirling was and still is one of the best decisions I've ever made. First off the landscape is amazing, and you can't get much better views. The University of Stirling is a beautiful campus with great professors that I learned a lot from. My classes were similar to courses back home when it came to topics, however the way you're taught and expected to analyze things was completely different and a refreshing experience. The university has a large international population, which was great because you're able to meet and become friends with people from all over the world.

The town of Stirling isn't necessarily the biggest of towns, but what it lacks in attractions, it makes up for in charm and character. I always had a great time and found so many wonderful things around the town. In my whole experience I never came across anyone who was unfriendly or rude.

Overall , I had the time of my life and made lasting friendships with people from all over the world who I would have never met if I wouldn't have made the decision to study abroad.