Scotland Archives - IFSA

How Edinburgh Art Influenced My Study Abroad Experience

ichilds — Tue, 19 May 2026 21:50:23 +0000

As a history and art history double major, one of the highlights of my time in Edinburgh was immersing myself in the city’s deeply rooted arts scene. Engaging with a new cultural landscape sharpened my perspective and deepened my commitment to pursuing a career in museum work and public history. Rethinking my U.S.-based assumptions Unsurprisingly, my favorite course this semester [...]

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Make Local Exploring a Priority When You Study Abroad

ichilds — Tue, 05 May 2026 19:52:32 +0000

As I prepared to study in Scotland, many people asked me where I planned to travel while I was in Europe. I was more excited to explore my host city, Edinburgh. I had never been to Scotland, and I was focused on seeing the sights within the city. After three months of living here, I have learned so much more about this city and its people. Tips for gaining cultural awareness [...]

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My Four Agreements for Studying Abroad in Edinburgh

ichilds — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 21:41:40 +0000

I first encountered The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz while browsing a small bookstore off the Royal Mile during my first week as a student abroad. I had just finished IFSA orientation and was still adjusting to academic life at a UK university. I felt a strange mixture of independence and uncertainty that comes with arriving in a new country. I picked up the [...]

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Less Hustle, More Highlands: How Study Abroad in Edinburgh Helped Me Reset

acarter — Mon, 19 May 2025 21:14:19 +0000

Prior to arriving in Edinburgh, my life had been a blur of constant movement. I had grown accustomed to rushing from one thing to the next without stopping to enjoy the ride. But the minute I touched down in Edinburgh and the cool misty Scottish air embraced me, I knew this was about to change. [...]

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How to Tell Your Immigrant Family You Want to Study Abroad

acarter — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 22:08:10 +0000

If you come from an immigrant family, you can understand how intimidating it can be to tell them that you want to study abroad. Moving to a different country sounds less fun and exciting to many immigrant parents. It can also sound dangerous and unnecessary. Many immigrant parents have come to their new country under [...]

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Finding Sports and Building Connection While Studying Abroad

Kate — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 20:15:30 +0000

Diving in During Study Abroad One of the most frequently asked questions I heard when I decided to study abroad at University of St Andrews in Scotland was: Why St Andrews? My answer is simple: I wanted to find a place where the town enriched the university experience, a place where I could integrate into [...]

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Exploring the Tastes of Edinburgh During Study Abroad

Kate — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 20:12:03 +0000

I have always loved trying new foods, but I’d exhausted my options back at home. Whenever I stepped into a favorite restaurant, I would think to myself how fun it would be to recreate the menu. I rarely externalized these thoughts. When I arrived in Edinburgh, I set out to explore the city through food. [...]

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Never Stop Dreaming

Kate — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 02:34:48 +0000

Moving from the city of Boston to St Andrews, a town with a population of just over 17,000, was certainly a shock. Arriving in Fife in January around 3 p.m., the sun had already begun to set. By the time I had wheeled my bag into my dorm, the light had fully disappeared from the [...]

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Everyday Edinburgh

Kate — Fri, 10 May 2024 18:32:47 +0000

Explore the “everyday” adventures that may be found in Edinburgh, Scotland, when studying abroad. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1TdpJgwpgY Madeleine L. | University of Minnesota, Twin Cities | IFSA University of Edinburgh Partnership | Spring 2024 | IFSA Student Marketing Correspondent

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Finding Heritage in the Highlands

Kate — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 20:04:11 +0000

I felt a deep connection to Scotland before arriving here. My grandfather was extremely proud of our Scottish heritage and made a point to talk about his love for this country and culture as frequently as possible. I was raised in the Presbyterian Church, the roots of which trace back to Scotland. There was even [...]

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