Scotland offers a wealth of cultural options, scenic beauty ,and just a hint of mystery as home to the legendary Loch Ness (and perhaps the even more beguiling kilt and bagpipe). Consider Glasgow for a big-city experience complete with haggis in gastropubs, friendly locals, and one of the liveliest indie music scenes outside of London. For a truly student-centric experience, coastal St Andrews strikes a fine balance as a small town with a big name, drawing scholars from all over the world. Those interested in politics will have a unique vantage point in the capital, Edinburgh, as Scotland decides its status with the United Kingdom in the coming years.
I moved to Scotland wholly unprepared. I didn't become a new person, but I learned new ways to view time passing. I learned how to call a place home and say goodbye. Studying abroad was not the story I thought I would tell - there was no jetting off to other countries or falling into a whirlwind romance. I walked and walked and learned how to say yes to the unexpected. I learned to be okay with the temporary and to embrace the fleeting moments.