USAC Scotland: Stirling - Undergraduate Courses

Going to Scotland was a great decision for me. Not only was I able to really experience the culture and the beautiful landscapes. The study abroad course has so many opportunities to visit the different major cities and each class had their own field trips to different small towns. It was incredible easy to get around as well. The public transportation was wonderful. I got to experience lots of different things, meet a bunch of new people, and learn so much.

Studying abroad in Stirling, Scotland was hands down the best decision I have ever made. This experience changed my life, completely for the better. I got to travel across the country and do things I had never even dreamed were possible. I met amazing people and drank the best coffee I have ever had. I danced and explored and hiked and cooked and got to discover who I am and what I love to do. I learned that there is beauty in everything and everywhere, you just simply have to look for it. As a history buff, this was a phenomenal location choice. The amount of architecture and history in Scotland is incredible, and the views are breathtaking. I don't have enough words to describe how much I loved this experience. If you are even remotely considering study abroad, DO IT.

I spent my study abroad semester in Stirling, Scotland, studying journalism and film production. A long-time dream of mine, studying abroad, has been unlike anything I've ever experienced. It has allowed for me to push my boundaries in so many ways -- from my social and academic life, to my independence as a person and traveler. I would recommend this experience to anyone. Not only do you get to experience full immersion in a new community and culture, but you grow from it in more way than you could ever expect.

Getting the opportunity to study abroad was great and the experience of living in another country was awesome. I loved just about everything about my experience except the teaching/grading style and some little things that ultimately don’t matter too much about the housing situation.

I absolutely loved going abroad this past summer in Stirling, Scotland with USAC. They were incredibly helpful, communicative, and the program is super affordable! I would absolutely recommended this program to anyone. They organized lots of activities around and on-campus. The dorms are super nice, and I loved the courses I took while there. Overall, the entire program was amazing, and I wish I could go back!

I absolutely loved my study abroad, and I miss it every single day. This experience changed my life for the better. It was my first time abroad for such a long period of time, but it helped me learn so much about myself and another culture. Additionally, this experience was the perfect addition to my resume, and now I live in Ecuador with the Peace Corps! To anyone considering a study abroad, GO FOR IT!!!

I had such a fun time in Scotland. I explored a ton and made some great friends. The faculty there were great. They were very helpful and taught well. There were plenty of fun events as well. Each class had their own field stops to different parts of Scotland along with program wide trips. I will never forget that time. Really made my summer the best summer I’ve had. Stirling was a great city as well. There were lots of cute shops like the fairy emporium. Each city we visited had their own vibe, which made exploring them so interesting!

I really enjoyed studying abroad in Stirling, Scotland. I really enjoyed the campus and meeting new people in my classes. The professors were really nice, and willing to help in any aspects we needed. I highly recommend studying abroad to anyone who asks me about it. The process was easy, to apply but a lot of meetings needed to be attended. I had a really great time!!!

Scotland is an incredible country. The scenery is breathtaking. The countryside is expansive. The people are friendly and kind. The culture is rich. The history is incredible. Scotland is the perfect place to experience all the United Kingdom has to offer. Once there, it's easy to travel to other areas and see as much as possible. This experience has awakened something deep inside of me and Scotland will always hold a very special place in my heart because of my time studying abroad.

Studying abroad in Scotland was a wonderful experience! While it took me a while to adjust to the academic environment, since it was quite different from the one I was used to in the U.S., I thoroughly enjoyed the classes I took and enjoyed learning about a new range of topics I necessarily would not have had the opportunity to at my home university. But, I loved exploring all over Scotland, from the hikes and zip lining trips I took in the Highlands, to the trips to the major cities such as Edinburgh and Glasgow, where I tried new foods and drinks, went to many museums and art galleries, and overall got to see what these cities had to offer. Overall, it was a wonderful experience!

I have enjoyed most of my time out here. My only negative is that the maintenance and other accommodation people would show up unannounced. So, I had to delay the start to my day sometimes because there were random men in my flat. Also, I wish there was a common space that connected all the flats because it was hard to get to know people. I absolutely love the university of Stirling and the city itself. I do not want to come home!

While I’ve only been in Scotland for a month now, already I have experienced and explored more then I ever could back home! From meeting new friends to trying different cuisines, I know Scotland will forever hold a special place in my heart!

I had a brilliant time in the UK and Scotland and got to experience a lot of cool events, and meet some really interesting people from all around the globe. Unfortunately our program was affect heavily by strikes going on in the country at the time and this definitely negatively impacted our education. I would recommend seeing what the teaching status is like in a country pre-departure.

I got my own room and bathroom at Stirling University, which, as someone who has always shared a bathroom, felt very fancy. My suitemates and I cooked and ate dinner together every night, which was a new experience for me as at my college, I usually rely on the dining halls. The other people in my program were from across the country and even a few were from Australia! I took a Scottish History class that I adored. Learning about Scottish history and then getting to see the places it occurred made me feel so alive and inspired. It was so fascinating to get to stand in the room where David Rizzo was murdered in Hollyrook house. Mary Queen of Scots life story has always felt so fantastical and dramatic that it was surreal to walk in her shoes in some of the places she lived. In my English class, we discussed the definition of science fiction, the history of the genre, and themes of colonialism, gender, queerness, patriarchy and utopia. One of the most memorable of the works we read was The Wasp Factory, by Scottish author Iain Banks. The book tackles questions about gender and sexuality, but is very dark, repressive and dystopian. One weekend during my time in Scotland, my suitemates and I traveled to Edinburgh for a Pride celebration. As I marched in the Pride parade, I thought of The Wasp Factory which came out in 1984, and reflected on how the nation's ideas about sexuality have evolved to become more accepting since then. The parade was a living example of the freedom LGBTQ+ individuals in Scotland now have to celebrate their identities with support from the general public. Holding my bisexual flag high in the air, I could feel the joy of Scotland’s queer community reverberating around me. It was a long walk through the city but I never felt tired. Instead I felt fueled by the energy of my beautiful community and incredibly proud of the progress that has been made in LGBTQ+ equality. Through this experience, I gained a lot more self-confidence. I was able to thrive in a new country where I didn't have my friends and family to rely on. I was able to face difficult issues like getting caught in the rain in Glasgow and getting a migraine in Aviemore. I was exposed to so many new experiences, like swimming in a loch, and met so many new people. Learning about Scottish history and getting to see the places it occurred made me feel so alive and inspired. My teachers were full of stories and advice, and campus itself was picturesque.

Studying abroad in Stirling was one of the best decisions I could have made: the staff and professors were phenomenal, the field trips were fun, everything was so close to visit, and the campus was beautiful. I was able to go to Ireland, London, and to the Scottish Highlands over the weekends, and I learned so much about writing and religion from the professors.

My time spent in Stirling was nothing short of magical. Every aspect, from the course education to the hands-on experience with faculty, felt truly immersive alongside my overall Scottish experience. I adore the University of Stirling and desperately want to return. The culture surrounding the city, the loch, and the castles all felt so foreign to me as an American student, but at the same time, I always felt like I belonged.

My time in Scotland will be some of my fondest memories of college. Being so close to mainland Europe allowed me to travel and explore the world in a way that is just not possible at an American university. Although the housing situation in Stirling was not the best and one of my professors was participating in strike action for most of the semester, the memories I made during my time in Stirling make up for any difficulty. I would definitely recommend!

Stirling, Scotland changed my life for the better in countless ways. Before I left the US, I was burnt out and exhausted. Going to Scotland and meeting people from all around the world reinvigorated me and made me realize that I was a lot more capable than I had previously thought myself to be. If you have the opportunity to go abroad, DO IT! It’s by far the best decision I’ve ever made in my life.

I could not have asked for a better study abroad experience. I was housed off campus, right in the city center and met friends that I will have for a lifetime. I have countless memories on campus, traveling around, going out and meeting locals. Cannot say enough good things. In Stirling it’s a good sized town with everything you need but not big enough that it’s too much. You can easily take the train to the airport or another town. Everything is super accessible. Do it!!!

I absolutely loved my time in Scotland whether that was exploring the country, doing tours, or immersing myself in the culture and my coursework. It was probably the best time I have ever had and the most interesting courses I taken during undergrad

I was really scared to study abroad but knew I needed to do it anyways. When there, I spent a lot of time traveling; alone, in small groups, in big groups. His experience helped me grow so much, beyond what I thought was possible. I gained so much confidence and learned how to trust myself so much more than ever before. It wasn’t all butterflies and rainbows, I was anxious, I was stressed, I had moments where I wanted nothing more than to go home. But I wouldn’t change a thing. I have so much independence now that I didn’t have before and the wanderlust fire has been lit. I’d recommend this to anyone and everyone. I’d tell people to go back to college for grad school or another degree just to be able to study abroad. I met people I’ll never forget and I saw places and experienced things that will stick in my head forever. I have thousands of photos and stories that I’ll never have the time to share but will always enjoy looking back on.

When I was leaving for the University of Stirling, it was basically the first time I had ever left home for school. I stayed at my hometown university with the knowledge that I would save up enough money to spend time abroad. I couldn't have made a better decision to plan for study abroad as well as choosing where to go. Stirling in Scotland is one of the most beautiful places I could ever imagine. There were so many experiences on campus from the awesome classes about Scottish history and culture and the incredible campus through which I could walk by a loch and castle with a view of the Wallace monument on my way to class. Stirling is a great place to enjoy nature and get outside! I would go for hikes and walks on the surrounding Ochils or into town. Stirling is also located close enough to both Edinburgh and Glasgow for day trips to the city. USAC's program was perfect, especially with the included tours. Exploring St Andrews and the Highlands with the other students in the USAC program were some of the best experiences that I've ever had. Spending a weekend in the Highlands on a guided tour with a Scottish guide, learning about the real history of Scotland gave me a better understanding and perspective on the culture of Scotland. I couldn't have asked for a better experience for my semester in Stirling.

If it wasn't for studying abroad with USAC at the University of Stirling, I never would've made it to where I'm at today. As simple as that. Both the staff on site at USAC and those on campus at Stirling Uni made the experience of studying abroad for a year in Scotland one of the best years of my life. I was able to meet a variety of international students, engage with activities on campus, interact with professors in lectures & seminars, and generally discover why Scotland is such an amazing study abroad destination. They call Stirling the 'Heart of Scotland,' and I believe that to be true, now more than ever. There is so much to love about Stirling, whether it's hiking the steps of the William Wallace Monument or enjoying a pint and live music at Nicky Tams Pub. For a student in Scotland, the University of Stirling has courses available for a wide range of academic majors. As a journalism student, I was able to participate in a variety of seminars: creative writing, Scottish history, sociology, and even a Jane Austen course (which was beyond amazing for someone as obsessed as myself!). And the learning doesn't stop there. The UK education system places heavy emphasis on independent/outside-the-classroom learning, which turns the library on campus into your new best friend. I was thrilled that I was able to find textbooks there, rather than having to purchase them all, and it was a great meeting place to connect with peers and study for exams together. Another thing to keep in mind: you're living in Scotland! The amount of history to be gleaned from this country will take your breath away - at least it did for me. No longer do you just have to learn about things from the pages of a book. Jump on a bus, a plane, or a ferry and you can be on your way to a nearby historical destination to absorb the history firsthand. Taking advantage of this helped make my experience in Scotland more well-rounded and unforgettable. It's been about four years since my year abroad in Scotland, but I remember it as clearly as if it was yesterday. This may have a lot to do with the fact that I now work in international education, providing resources to students who also dream of taking their education abroad. I can think of no better way to relive my Scottish experience, and have so many people to thank for that. It's not everyday one gets to live out their dream, so if you're thinking about taking your own studies to the University of Stirling, don't hesitate - make it happen! You'll be glad that you did.

Above all, I loved attending and completing undergraduate courses at The University of Stirling. As a study abroad student, I was able to work on my upper division general education requirements and my minor, which allowed for a diverse number of classes. Whether I was learning about Scottish history and literature or taking a stab at sociology, the professors at Stirling all had something to offer. As an American student, the amount of time spent OUTSIDE the classroom doing work/studying/etc took some getting used to, but it was a challenge I met head-on. Unlike many American higher education institutions, the university system in the UK is quite a bit different. It's a much more independent program, with an emphasis on outside the classroom reading and study--this is what allowed for me to connect with many of my peers though, and as a student in a foreign county, I appreciated that concept. Stirling in particular is a wonderful city that is situated in an ideal location of Scotland. It's known as the "Heart of Scotland" because as history tells, "he who holds Stirling, holds Scotland." When you get to Stirling, you'll see what I mean. Take a hike up Dumyat and spread out before you to the south will be the lowlands and greater cities of Scotland, while northwards the infamous Highlands are markedly familiar by all the rolling hills as far as the eye can see. It's also a great place to call home for time, as you set off to explore other countries nearby! If you're anything like me, you'll fall in love with Scotland and never want to leave. It's a place where history is still deeply felt and where modern advancements are tempered by a healthy respect for the land. My experiences in Stirling changed my perspective about everything and gave me a deeper appreciation for education and study abroad opportunities. I always reminded myself to keep an open mind and repeat the mantra my study abroad advisers back at home were known for saying: It's not wrong, it's not right, it's just different. These were words to live by and opened the door to a wide array of adventures. Every student owes it to themselves to broaden his/her education by stepping outside their comfort zone and leaving the "familiar" behind--and even if you don't realize it yet, you will be thankful that you did. The USAC program in Stirling, Scotland is a great choice and will give you the chance to make your international travel dreams a reality!