Alumni Interview with Kristianna Williams

What inspired you to go abroad? 

I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and see another culture firsthand.

Why did you choose CISabroad? 

I chose CISabroad because it was a cheaper option, but still gave me numerous opportunities to really submerge myself into the culture. 

What was your favorite part about Scotland? 

My favorite part about Scotland was definitely the scenery. Whether in a city or in the countryside, it was absolutely breathtaking.

What made your experience abroad unique? 

I was the only person from my university doing the study abroad option, which forced me to meet new people and really put myself out there.

How did local staff support you throughout your program? 

Local staff would communicate regularly with us in person or through email and would go with us on any outings or excursions. 

What's one thing you wish you would have done differently? 

I probably would've packed less! :) I could easily purchase anything I needed in town, so I didn't need to bring as much stuff with me.

Describe a typical day in the life of your program. 

On a class day, I would usually stop by the cafe to get a pastry and an americano. I'd be in class for a few hours and then afterwards go on a run around our beautiful campus. Our campus was on the side of a hill (or what I would call a mountain), so it was a great leg workout. The weather was also perfect for exercising outside. Other days would be our class excursions, so on those days we would leave early in the morning and go to wherever our excursion was (in my case it was usually a city). We'd spend most of the morning and some of the afternoon on an excursion and get back in the early evening to relax and hang out.

What did you enjoy doing in your free time? 

When I had free time, I tried to plan trips around Scotland. Before I went over to Scotland I thought I would get to see all of Great Britain. I realized once I got there that there was so much to do in Scotland and I didn't have enough time to see the rest. I traveled to the Highlands one weekend, rode the Jacobite Steam Train (the train used in the Harry Potter movies), explored Edinburgh and Glasgow (two major Scottish cities), and experienced the Highland Games in Aberdeen (the best way to see traditional Scottish culture).

What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it? 

My accommodation was wonderful. I had a small room with my own bathroom, a desk, lots of cabinets, and a window overlooking the loch. There were five rooms in our flat, and we all shared a kitchen and living room. This worked out perfectly, as we all had different schedules and the kitchen was rather large. We had to buy and make our own food, which was actually really nice and the grocery store was just a bus ride away. I was also comforted by the fact that we needed key cards to get into our flat and our room, and there was always security at the front desk if we needed anything.

What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program? 

Make sure you have extra spending money for travel, food, and gifts, and make sure you have room in your suitcase for all those gifts! I would just say that having an open mind and no set plans is the best way to have a good experience. Things will get changed, stuff will happen, and you just have to go with it. If you go with that mindset, I guarantee you'll have an incredible experience.

Now that you're home, how has your program abroad impacted your life? 

I met wonderful friends and have incredible memories that I will forever look back on. I am also itching to go back and see more of the UK as well as the world! This experience has fueled my desire to travel even more.

Would you recommend CISabroad to others? Why? 

Yes! They handle all the plans and details you don't want to deal with, and it's a great opportunity to be independent.