By David Lavrinovich, Staff Writer
Travel has always been a love of mine, so I was ecstatic when I discovered that, even as a community college student, I would be able to study abroad. Because TBR Global Studies, formerly known as TnCIS, gives students all over Tennessee the chance to spend a few weeks abroad while working towards their degree, I had the wonderful opportunity to study Sociology in Scotland during the summer of 2025, and left the experience a changed person.
The biggest draw of Scotland is the number of beautiful castles and landscapes, all with their own unique personality. One of my favorite castles was one in St. Andrew’s, although admittedly it was mainly because of the view. From the castle, onlookers have the chance to observe the breathtaking beauty of St. Andrew’s stunning shores, which subverted my preconceived notions about what the Scottish landscape looked like; previously, I had only pictured the rolling hills of the Highlands.
Speaking of the Highlands, they did not disappoint. Lush fields and crisp air made me feel that not only was I in another country, but in another world! Not to mention the cute animals: sheep, horses, and of course, the highlight of the Scottish scenery, Highland cows (affectionately dubbed by the Scots as Highland “coos”). By the end of the program, I couldn’t decide whether Scotland’s urban cityscapes or rural countryside was prettier.
In addition to its amazing landscape views, Scotland has plenty of historic and contemporary art that is just awe-inspiring. In the most populous city, Glasgow, street art decorates walls, bridges, alleys, and more. I saw plenty of murals, but my favorite one used pastels to combine different iconographies of Scotland, like Highland cows and floral details, to create a beautiful collage. Even the hostels we stayed at were decorated with art, my favorite being a mural in Inverness, which depicts Nessie welcoming guests in a myriad of languages (pictured below).
Stained glass was another common form of art, especially within churches. In St. Michael’s Parish Church, near Linlithgow Palace, vibrant, fiery pieces illuminate the interior of the historic site. Art history enthusiasts and anyone with a penchant for aesthetics will enjoy all that Scotland has to offer, just like I did.
Served in many forms, you can’t visit Scotland without eating Haggis, a savoury pudding made of sheep’s pluck. This traditional Scottish breakfast dish has been innovated in two particularly delicious ways: modern Haggis Ciabatta sandwiches can be found in some cafes and castles as an easy meal, while Haggis Pierogies are a fusion created by the strong Polish immigrant population in Scotland.
However, my favorite culinary experience was having high tea in St. Andrews. High tea is essentially a fancy brunch where you sip tea and snack on various pastries and sandwiches. While dressing up isn’t a necessity, a few others in our group and I got into the spirit of High Tea by wearing formal attire. There truly is nothing more heavenly than drinking herbal tea while sampling a warm scone. While Scotland is not lacking in American and other international cuisines, trying the cultural food and drink did enrich the overall experience.
After the trip, I had the honor of meeting Pellissippi State Community College Professor Johnathan Fowler, director of the 2025 and 2026 program, to discuss what his favorite part of the previous trip was and what changes he is looking forward to. When I asked what his favorite memory of the trip was, it turned out that it wasn’t a specific landmark or tour, but a potluck that we, the students, organized. Fowler went on to say that “It’s the student that makes the trip” and that we had such a fun group where everyone was getting along. This also tied into his advice to future students, as he explained that a study abroad trip is what people make of it, encouraging students to embrace the experience.
My interview with Fowler also led me to learning some details for the 2026 edition of the Scotland program. The courses being offered will include World History 1, Lifespan Psychology, Intro to Education, and possibly Pre-Calculus Algebra, while the housing will consist of hostels for most cities and private dorms in St. Andrew’s University. In order, the cities that students will travel to will be Inverness, St. Andrews, Stirling, and finally Edinburgh. While in Stirling, students will have the chance to make two day-trips to Glasgow for excursions. I highly suggest this excursion, as I felt that one day was not enough to explore all the city had to offer.
The 2025 students were able to witness a marvel of engineering, the Falkirk wheel, on their rest stop before driving to Edinburgh. However, future students will not only have the opportunity to watch the rotating boat lift that connects channels, but ride it as well for a truly immersive experience. Another exciting change is that future students may be visiting Inverness Castle, which is currently closed for renovations. Overall, the biggest change to the program that Fowler wants to achieve is the incorporation of historical and modern Scottish culture, setting it on track to exceed expectations.
My trip to Scotland would not have been as amazing as it was if not for the connections I made, not only with faculty like Professor Fowler, but also with other students. That’s why I enlisted some of my friends from the trip to share their perspectives. One friend, Jeaniliz, shared similar feelings to mine about the friendships made, stating, “Meeting new people was definitely scary at first, but then it led to us having the most fun together in such a beautiful country. 10/10 would recommend it!”
Oscar also had mutual sentiments, saying, “It was super beautiful there and everyone was pretty nice! I had never been in a dorm situation before, so this was a chance for me to get a feel for living in a dorm room with another person”. Camryn added that “Scotland was a month of memories that will stick with me forever… it’s just a month of packed days with people you become friends with instantly while seeing some of the most beautiful buildings in the world”. When I spoke with Vanessa, she had some incredibly powerful advice, explaining that future students shouldn’t let stress get in the way of travel: “If you are going to be stressed, you might as well do it in a 500-year-old cathedral, or a beach, or a mountain’s tallest peak,” and, while studying abroad can be hard, “regret is hard too, and you can’t go back.”
I loved Scotland; truly, no amount of words could encapsulate what an amazing experience I had while studying abroad. I came back to the U.S. with an enriched academic career, many new friends, and, of course, memories that I’ll always cherish. I hope that all students have the chance to experience that. No matter the country, studying abroad will be life-changing, but you should still have Scotland as your first pick!
