There is nothing like Move in Day to sink in the idea of living in your host country. No Move in Day is complete without lugging your suitcases and cursing yourself for packing as much as you did.
Did I really need ALL THOSE PANTS?!?!
Why, yes. I am living in Scotland after all. I don’t think the shorts and dresses from back home will keep me warm, come the winter months. As I rationalized my packing choices and made the final push onward to the last leg of my journey.
Arriving in Stirling it was a lovely day, warm and sunny (unusual from my past experiences in Scotland). A perfect welcome to my new home for the next few months. As I left the train station with my two heavy suitcases, and a backpack I quickly decide to take a taxi to my accomodation. A wise move. The University of Stirling campus is spread over 300+ acres and the student accommodation I am calling home is at the very back of campus. A good 25-30 minute, very hilly walk from the main entrance.
As the taxi makes its way through campus, I am in complete awe that this is where I get to learn. The campus is stunning! It is lush and green, there’s a loch in the middle of campus full of a variety of waterfowl, you can see the Wallace Monument from campus! As we made our way down the winding roads a straight-up castle pops up, followed by a golf course, and finally the student accomodations.
Only in Scotland would a university campus feel so magical complete with 9-hole golf course and a castle.
I check in and grab my keys, drudge my bags up the (one flight thankfully!) stairs and meet my new flatmates who got there earlier that morning.
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My dorm window views. -
Not bad for a dorm view, but the walk to campus is much better.
The room, is smaller than my last dorm, but it has everything I need. New sheets and a pillow. A closet with some storage, a desk, etc. The view is charming, and makes me feel totally immersed in the campus. Needless to say I am super excited for the next 13 weeks and seeing what they hold. Everything from program led field trips to a 3-day guided tour of the highlands led by a local.
Now, to the reason I am here: the STUDY in study abroad. I am taking my upper division Public Relations courses to meet my graduation requirements back home. I am anticipating a challenging semester as I gain a new perspective of my field. I am taking a research methods class, a social media strategies class, and a digital journalism course at the University of Stirling.
With that being said, I am off to prepare for lectures this week and will report back on how I find the classes next week.
Isaias Dassum 