International Education (Times Two!)
Reflections on my Scotland study abroad experience
The opportunity for international education fulfilled an unrealized life dream. As a non-traditional college student, I restarted the pursuit of an English degree after the last of my five children reached adulthood; I had a different outlook on education and the international study program. I choose the shorter program for my international experience because home obligations did not allow for longer period of travel. With a positive experience successfully accomplished in my first year’s study in Scotland, I opted for a second term and enticed my college aged daughter to travel with me.
International study offered me the ability to interact with the local culture in Scotland in a way that would not have been available to a traditional tourist, even though the people of Scotland are extremely cordial to their American guests.
I had occasion to visit some locations multiple times, to shop in local markets, to prepare meals from traditional Scottish foods, and to become acquainted with other Scottish teachers and students who would not have interacted with a typical tourist. The teachers and students that I met freely shared their culture and customs as we conversed over cooking breakfast or washing our dishes at the hostel. Occasionally, the opportunity presented itself to sit and chat for a time over a cup of tea or listen to local music in the evening at a pub.
In a study abroad program, students are provided a multitude of different educational opportunities every day of the program. I was able to learn about the life and history of Mary, Queen of Scots, while visiting her birth place, the castle where her parents were born, and the museum which houses the cradle in which she rocked her regal son, James I and VI, who reigned as both King of Scotland and England. During the first trip to Scotland, our group visited the National Library and the National Archives, neither of which are available to traditional tourists. During our visit to the Scottish Archives, the historian exhibited for us the marriage contract of Mary, Queen of Scots and Henry Stuart from the mid-sixteenth century. I was thrilled to see this document in person and actually pass it between our group of students, with the aid of a support tablet, so as not to damage or excessively handle the ancient document.
The second year provided a similar experience at the National Library where my daughter and I were privileged to see and examine documents written and signed by famous early Americans such as Abigail and John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, who were in diplomatic correspondence with the Scottish government and nobility. It was fascinating to read their personal correspondence and share their intimate opinions of other American founders, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Experiencing these educational opportunities with my daughter provides a bond between the two of us that we share and discuss as our academic and personal relationship continues. Study abroad has truly enriched my life in ways that neither traditional education, nor vacation travel could have provided.
