Adelante Abroad

Studying abroad in Scotland through the University of Kentucky’s equine program and Adelante Abroad was truly the adventure of a lifetime. I had never traveled outside the country on my own before, so this was a big step outside my comfort zone. I expected to learn a lot about horses, but the friendships, travel, and my time in Ecclesmachan ended up meaning so much to me. The teachers made us feel welcome from the beginning. They were friendly, supportive, and easy to talk to, which made asking questions and trying unfamiliar things feel more comfortable. I loved how interactive the learning was. We labeled bones and muscles directly on the horses and monitored their fitness levels, which helped connect what we were learning about anatomy and physiology to the horses we worked with each day. We even rode a robotic horse to work on our positioning in the saddle, which was such a fun and unique way to learn. Our professors, Louise and Rowan, would drive us in a 15-passenger van for our outings and trips to Aldi to pick up groceries. Piling into the van together made even a simple grocery run feel like a fun part of the trip. It was such a different experience from college life back home, and those little moments with everyone are some of the ones I remember most fondly. I hadn’t ridden since high school, so getting back in the saddle was something I was especially excited about. During the program, I got to ride Billy, Eric, Maddie, Jeff, Brennagh, Chino, and Fern. I had never ridden so many different horses, and that ended up being one of the coolest parts of the experience. Each one felt different and had something new to teach me. Learning to adjust my riding to each horse helped me become a better, more confident rider, and I loved getting to know them along the way. Our riding instructors, Alison and Samantha, helped me grow so much as a rider. We also got to go on a trail ride around the property, which was such a nice way to enjoy the scenery from horseback. At the end of the program, I rode Chino in our competition and placed second! After being away from riding for so long, that was really encouraging and made me proud of how much I had progressed. There was also so much arranged for us outside of class. We went to the races at Perth, saw the Kelpies, visited the Royal Highland Show, and watched a show jumping competition at The Scottish National Equestrian Centre. Those activities gave us a chance to experience Scotland’s agricultural communities and see more of the global sporthorse industry firsthand. Still, some of the moments I miss most are the ordinary ones on the Oatridge campus. We became close with the other girls in the program from Mizzou and spent so much time exploring the farm property. We legitimately frolicked through fields and made friends with the sheep and cows on our many daily walks. It was so peaceful there, and I loved just being outside and taking it all in. Two of my closest UK friends are girls I bonded with on this trip, and we still say, “Love you to Ecclesmachan and back.” I had never been anywhere quite like it and don't think anywhere else could compare. We definitely made the most of our weekends, too. We went into Edinburgh countless times, explored the university, found some wonderful places to eat, and somehow managed to have Knoops (the best hot chocolate) at least once a day! We also spent a day in North Berwick, walking every inch of the little beach town. During three days in London, we visited Borough Market, Tower Bridge, Big Ben, and Buckingham Palace, rode a double-decker bus, and did plenty of shopping in Soho. Then, in less than 48 hours in Ireland, we tried Guinness for the first time, went to the Irish Whiskey Museum, and visited Trinity College. We fit a lot into those short trips, and exploring together gave us even more memories (and souvenirs) to bring home. After the program ended, my dad met me for another week of traveling. We explored the Isle of Skye, including Portree, and visited Golspie, Inverness, John o’ Groats, and Talisker Distillery. Having that time with him was such a special way to end the trip, and I’ll always be grateful we got to share those experiences. When I think about Scotland now, I think about both the big adventures and the little routines we built while we were there. I loved getting back into riding, learning from people who encouraged us, and spending my days with new friends in a place that became so familiar. I came home more independent and confident, with friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. I would go back and do it all again in a heartbeat!

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Personally, I felt like a local. Knowing the streets, catching the bus, and speaking the same language has made me felt like home. I compare constantly Uruguay to my home country and notice the many beautiful things this country has to offer that my country lacks. Uruguay is culturally rich with enticing music, interesting history and breath taking nature this small country has. Profesionally, I got know and open doors with veterinarians from Latin America. I will definitely miss my friends from the clinic, house and street. The cold was the hardest part of my trip. Coming from a tropical island to a humid winter has tought me to take care of your extremities, stay warm and dry. Be comfortable in being uncomfortable, it will help you go through many culture shocks, home sickness, and lifestyle changes throughout your journey.

When I first started looking into programs abroad, I had no idea just how much this experience would change my life. I never had the opportunity to study abroad during college, and it was something I had always wished I could experience. I wanted more than just a vacation. I wanted to actually live somewhere new, immerse myself in another culture, improve my Spanish, meet new people, and gain professional experience that would help me grow in my career. I remember sitting down with my mom and comparing a few different programs when we came across Adelante Abroad. After looking into everything they offered, we both agreed that it seemed like exactly what I was looking for. I scheduled my first interview, and from that very first phone call, I just had a feeling I had found the right program. What stood out to me immediately was how genuine everyone was. I never felt like someone was trying to sell me an experience. They took the time to get to know me, understand what I was hoping to gain, and make sure the program was actually a good fit for me and not just them. I got off that call feeling even more excited and confident about taking such a big step. Throughout the entire process leading up to my departure, the Adelante team was incredibly helpful and responsive. Moving to another country can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to figure everything out on your own, but they made sure I had all the information I needed and knew what to expect. For my internship, I was placed with a small business in Barcelona, where I worked closely with the couple who ran it. I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better placement. They were some of the sweetest, most welcoming people, and from the beginning, they made me feel like part of their team. I got to work on marketing projects, create content, help with workshops, and experience what it was like to work in a completely different environment and culture. It was such a unique opportunity to build my resume while learning things I never would have experienced in a traditional job back home. But beyond the professional experience, I genuinely loved the people I worked with, and that made it even more special. My housing experience was wonderful too. I stayed with a lovely woman who was incredibly kind and welcoming. She helped me practice my Spanish, and having someone local to talk to made adjusting to life in Spain feel so much more natural. I lived near the Sagrada Família, which still feels surreal to say! I felt safe and comfortable in my home and neighborhood, and I loved being able to walk outside and explore such an incredible city. One of my favorite parts of the program was having Spanish classes included. Not only did they help me improve my language skills, but they were also one of the first places I started meeting people. I also used friendship apps to connect with other people living in Barcelona, and something I quickly realized was that so many people were in the exact same position as me. Everyone was looking to make friends, explore, and create new experiences. And those friendships became one of the most meaningful parts of my entire time abroad! I met people from all over the world who started as complete strangers and became friends I know I’ll have for the rest of my life. We explored the city, tried new restaurants, made spontaneous plans, traveled, and created memories that I will always look back on! Barcelona itself is unlike anywhere I’ve ever been. There’s something for everyone here. You can spend the morning at the beach, wander through beautiful historic streets, discover amazing food, enjoy the nightlife, or simply sit outside at a café and take in the atmosphere. I loved having the opportunity to travel and explore places I had never been before, but some of my absolute favorite days were the ordinary ones spent just living in Barcelona. And I think that’s what made this experience so different from traveling as a tourist. I wasn’t just visiting another country. I was building a little life here. I learned how to navigate a new city, communicate in another language, make friends from scratch, adapt to a different culture, and become so much more independent. I discovered how capable I was of creating a life somewhere completely unfamiliar. And somewhere along the way, I even fell in love, which was certainly not something I expected when I signed up for an internship abroad! But here’s the part that really says everything about my experience: I loved my time in Barcelona so much that after my program ended, I decided to come back. I’m now living in Barcelona again, continuing my Spanish studies, and building a life in a city that I originally came to know through Adelante Abroad. When I think about how it all started, it’s crazy to realize that one decision, one interview, and one internship could lead to so much. I signed up because I wanted international work experience and an opportunity to do something I had missed out on during college. I ended up gaining professional skills, confidence, independence, lifelong friendships, a deeper appreciation for another culture, and a place in the world that now feels like a second home. If you’re considering going abroad but you’re nervous about taking that step, I genuinely cannot recommend Adelante enough. You don’t have to have everything figured out before you go. I certainly didn’t. Sometimes you just have to give yourself the opportunity to experience something new and see where it takes you. I went to Barcelona hoping to have an unforgettable few months. I never imagined those few months would change the direction of my life. And it all started with Adelante Abroad.

Living abroad in Turkey was an important experience in my life. I had the opportunity to discover a new culture, meet people from different backgrounds, and learn how to adapt to a different environment. This experience helped me become more independent, patient, and open-minded. It also taught me the importance of communication, hard work, and respecting cultural differences. I believe that living abroad can help people grow personally and professionally.

I had a wonderful time during my internship and greatly enjoyed the experience. I made significant improvements in my Spanish speaking abilities, and I am very grateful for the opportunity. I truly enjoyed my internship and am very thankful for the opportunity.

Personally, it helped me in being a more independent individual. It also helped me be more adaptive to a new environment. Professionally it helped me as a stronger asset in the work-force and working in a new country gave me tons of interpersonal skills.

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My time in Scotland was absolutely incredible! So much more than expected while also changing and improving my life and who I am. It allowed me to be in a place and have the opportunity to work with animals in a new and unique setting that I wouldn't be able to find anywhere else. From working with the birds to spending time with the seals and large mammals I fell in love with the SPCA!

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I absolutely loved working at Vet for Pets in Falkirk! Everything from work environment, learning opportunities, and hands on experience was phenomenal. Loads of surgery shadowing time, helping to recover post op patients, and watching consults. I would recommend this opportunity to anyone interested in small animal veterinary careers! I would love to come back one day!

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I learned a lot of useful information here. I did have a good time. The knowledge that i gained will definitely help me in the future and allow me to further any equine program i decide to take on. I do feel that I was a bit misled on where the program was, cost of living, and location. It started at the airport when we had an hour longer wait and no contact with anyone. No one here actually uses whatsapp, which adelante insisted we needed. There were 3 of us siting in the airport in the dark trying to figure out what to do in a foreign country with no guidance or contacts. When we arrived we were dropped off in the middle of no where with no service or information on where to go and how to get there. We had no contacts and it made for a very scary 24 hours. After that the trip went ok when we settled in. Scotland is definitely on a different time frame, very much 'island time'. When it comes to cost of living it is very expensive to get anywhere and we were not prepared properly for that. Adelante failed on that end as well. We also are in the middle of no where. We were led to believe that it was easy to get anywhere and it most definitely is not easy or cheap. So very opposite of what we were told. I had a good time in the program and it would have been fun to ride a bit more. I liked the information we learned, it was surface level, but still very beneficial.

This month has transformed me as a person and has led me to enjoy the simple things in life. I appreciate the morning riding sessions, classes with low-stress teaching style's and being around so many new people. Scotland and the city of Edinburgh are beautiful, but I would warn future students that it can be very costly and timely to travel, even to Edinburgh. You will need to budget more than what is recommended to get the full experience and learn how to use the buses and trains once you arrive. SRUC is not in the city, so it's important to learn how to travel, etc. Overall, the scenery is beautiful, peaceful and I've met lifelong friends. I would recommend this program to any horse lover.

I deeply enjoyed my time here in Scotland and had a blast with the horses and the girls in the trip. While I at first didn't realize how remote the campus was from main areas, we managed to make the best of it and still see a large amount of the surrounding areas. The staff were extremely patient, especially the barn staff who clearly cared deeply about both horse and rider well being. The academics were fun without being too much in a very short amount of time, and felt well structured and taught. The only issues were when a number of us got sick towards the end of the trip and had some difficultly getting medical care, but had a great staff who tried their absolute best! Overall, I enjoyed my experience but wish I had been more prepared coming in.

This was my first study abroad experience and first time out of the country so I was not quite sure what to expect. The staff were very nice and supportive throughout the experience, but more communication between instructors and meeting times/places would have been helpful.

I had a great time interning with the professors in Dundee, Scotland. They helped us integrate into the culture and navigate our new surroundings while also providing us with useful professional experience. I do feel that the admin of Adelante was a bit unorganized as far as knowing important information and providing context. I also found the meetings leading up to be a bit un informative and I would rather it be a time for us to meet each other than ask personal questions to a large group (many of which weren’t answered anyway). Overall I had a great time with this program, I just wish I had some more clarity in the earlier stages of the trip.

I have had the best experience and will recommend that everyone apply and try to come on this study abroad trip to see for themselves. It was worth the money 1000% with memories that will never go away and new friends for life. Everyone I've met on this trip has been super nice and welcoming, students and staff alike. This trip is also pretty unique as for it's independent nature, being able to go explore everywhere myself has been super invigorating.

My experience was one of a kind and I loved every little bit about this experience. The campus, the staff, fellow students, and the horses were amazing and made my time abroad even more exciting. I had not ridden in 7 years before coming here and rode western when I had. I am so amazed by the amount I have learned from the staff and the horses. I am leaving knowing how to trot in English saddle and do a dressage pattern. The academics part was so hands on and fun to learn. Getting to learn all the systems, muscles, and bones on a horse was probably my favorite part and I cannot wait to use it in the real world back in the states. I got to immerse myself in the Scottish culture by going to towns and cities throughout Scotland and appreciate Scotland's beautiful landscape. Also, I was able to take a trip to London and Dublin that was so much fun! I loved this experience so much and I will be grateful forever for all the friends I have made!!

Studying abroad in Scotland has made me look at life differently. I knew it would be life changing but its impossible to know how until you've experienced it. I've been able to go through this experience with the most wonderful group of girls who have been nothing short of supportive. The sixteen girls I've bet through this program will be friendships that will last a long time because we have bonded in a way different than most people. Being able to go out and do our own thing has really made this experience more personable and that's where a lot of the self reflection comes in. I've never been one to get home sick and this experience was no different. The difference though, is in the past I've always been ready to go home after time spent away. That is not the case after staying in Scotland. The staff at SRUC have been amazing and helpful. They expect us to apply our learning and try our best, but they are approachable and helpful. They know all of us by name and really prioritized the opportunity to know their students, even if we were only here a month. The Scottish people have been extremely nice and the areas are safe even when in the cities like Inverness and Edinburgh. The Scottish people are also proud of their culture and want to share it with others. This aspect made me feel very welcome and supported. It was so nice to be able to leave all my worries behind and actually be able to enjoy my time here. I was worries about that in the beginning because I had a hard couple of months before leaving for Scotland, but I am hoping I can bring the joy I've found in this wonderful place with these wonderful people back home with me to the states.

During my time abroad in Scotland, I have made lifelong friends and memories that would not have been made otherwise. I put myself out of my comfort zone and traveled out of the United States alone for the first time while living with 15 other girls who I had not met prior to this trip. With this trip being pretty independent, I was able to travel to lots of different cities and a country, such as Edinburgh, Glasgow, Linlithgow, Uphall, and Dublin, Ireland while spending my time here. Everyone who works on SRUC's campus is kind, welcoming, and extremely helpful with any questions we had towards class information, assignments, things to do around Scotland, and more. They made me feel so welcomed while being on campus and I always felt safe, included, and wanted. Being able to ride during this program was also a huge highlight of my experience here. It made me feel more at home and provided us all a sense of comfort and familiarity. I would not have been able to be away from riding and horses for 4 weeks so this inclusion made my time here even more special. I met lifelong friends through this journey and am upset to leave them but so grateful for the blessing of this trip that brought us all together. Overall, I absolutely loved this program, classes, people, and Scotland and am extremely grateful to have been able to spend my month of June here. I will never stop recommending Adalente, SRUC, and Scotland to others and hope I can spend friends here in the future!

This program was so fun and Scotland is an amazing country to visit. The equine summer program was very immersive and life changing. Getting to learn in a hands on way was probably my favorite part. I also loved getting to ride the horses every week, every single horse was amazing and it was so fun to get to know their personality's. The staff was so helpful and made the process very smooth. Everyone in Scotland was very nice and welcoming. Learning about the Scottish culture was a highlight of the trip and id 100% recommend.

Getting the opportunity to participate in this amazing program has been one of the best and most unique experiences of my life. All of the people that I have met here have been nothing short of amazing and I know we have all made lifelong friends. I am so sad that the program is ending and I wish I had gotten a few more weeks to experience scotland. The classes were great and very interactive and the small size of the class made it easy to ask questions and collaborate as a group. The barn was beautiful and the horses and staff were amazing. I loved getting to ride many different types of horses and learn from a variety of people. I know that the time I have spent here has been life changing and I am not only going home with new memories and friends, but also a better version of myself that was all made possible through this program!!

I had the amazing opportunity to challenge myself academically and personally. The courses I took gave me valuable knowledge and practical skills that I can take back with me to complete my undergraduate studies in the states. In addition, the instructors were very helpful and accessible when needed. I was also able to make incredible friendships with girls all over the US while here, and we definitely made the most of our time abroad.