History Study Abroad Programs in Scotland

I graduated from high school a semester early, and the only way I wanted to spend my semester was by being abroad. I've known about Semester at Sea for around 6 years and I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity. I searched up the requirements to be accepted and luckily fit all the requirements most importantly being 18, so immediately I applied. I then got an email back the next morning saying I got accepted into the program and that email brought me to tears in the middle of one of my classes. I couldn't wait to board the MV World Odyssey and embark on this journey of a lifetime. On the ship, I gained so much knowledge about different cultures and I was able to be fully immersed in them, not just sticking to the touristy things offered. Semester at Sea does an amazing job keeping the students' safety in country as a priority with having mandatory “Pre-Port meetings” the night before arriving in a country, and offering field programs which are ship run excursions with ship faculty leading them. The community on the ship was nothing I have ever experienced before. We were so close knit and it felt like I was truly in a connected, caring, and welcoming environment. I met the people I never imagined I'd connect with, and they ended up becoming the best connections I've ever made with people. Semester at Sea also helped me get out of my comfort zone which led me to have experiences I would have never imagined I'd have, best example being running a half marathon in Vigo, Spain even though I'm not a runner and have never been a runner. Semester at Sea has given me the world and the opportunity to appreciate it to its fullest. I left the ship with my passport full, but my heart is even fuller with people, memories, and connections I will forever cherish. Semester at Sea was truly the best experience I have ever had and would recommend it to anyone as it was life changing.

One of the most underrated aspect of semester at sea is the ship campus itself. Being able to live so close to your friends and just walking a few flight of stairs to your classroom and being able to sit down with your professors for lunch is such an amazing experience. It's eternal sunsets, it's endless travel stories from your friends, it's lifetime of memories. Highly recommend. One of the best decisions I made. And still day dream about this experience, still talk and travel to meet my SAS friends 4 years later.

I have not experienced anything like semester at sea before, therefore giving me a whole lot of different lenses to look at the world with. I completely enjoyed my experience and understand the importance of understanding others concerns, communication, communities, and countries. A overall wonderful experience that has changed my views as well as the way I live and who I am as a person.

This was a fabulous cultural adventure with a great group of people! Our guide was exceptional and very accommodating with the various needs of our group members. If you want to see the world, this is an excellent means of doing so!

As a community member I had the best time being able to travel and learn about the culture and history along our trip. Our guide was amazing and extremely knowledgeable and was able to teach us a lot along the way! The itinerary was well thought out and planned for us and the students to really get the full experience I really hope that I will have another ability to travel again with this group, it was unforgettable!

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.

Watching the Bethel youth group interact with people from other countries was truly amazing this week. Also, for people, my age it was a once in a lifetime experience that we wouldn’t be able to do if we didn’t have GACA and Bethel University

I highly recommend this trip to any college student. What a great way to learn about things that you otherwise would not be able to do. There is something much to do on these trips as well as free time.

While in school I’d studied about the fighting between Catholics and Protestants, the devastating potato famine in Ireland, and the castles, kilts and bagpipes in Scotland, but to experience these things and get to know the people first hand was absolutely unforgettable. With the expert guidance and care from Stacie Freeman and Sarah Kidd and our ACIS guide Harry Bean, we saw and enjoyed our week immensely.

Thank you so much for the chance to experience Ireland and Scotland! It was a fabulous trip that had us experiencing the culture, language, food and the Countries from a view most of us would never get a chance to do with out the GCAC! Very impressed with ACIS and Harry Bean ---- will definitely be traveling again!!!!!

Ireland and Scotland trip is one of the most amazing trips I have eve had in my life, if not the most. The nature, the architecture, the food, the culture - everything was astonishing. Even thought I did not know anyone on the group, we quickly became very good friends and experienced all of that together! Not going to lie, but coming back to the States to the university and to work after this dreamy week is extremely hard :)

Ireland and Scotland trip is one of the most amazing trips I have eve had in my life, if not the most. The nature, the architecture, the food, the culture - everything was astonishing. Even thought I did not know anyone on the group, we quickly became very good friends and experienced all of that together! Not going to lie, but coming back to the States to the university and to work after this dreamy week is extremely hard :)

Ireland and Scotland trip is one of the most amazing trips I have eve had in my life, if not the most. The nature, the architecture, the food, the culture - everything was astonishing. Even thought I did not know anyone on the group, we quickly became very good friends and experienced all of that together! Not going to lie, but coming back to the States to the university and to work after this dreamy week is extremely hard :)

From the moment I was on my way to the airport in Nashville to today as we are about to head back to Dublin for the layover, it was an amazing experience I would recommend people try at least once. 💕

I was extremely excited and thankful to go on this trip. I got to get fully immersed into different cultures as well as introduce them to others. It was amazing to see how different things are around the world so that I can take some fun facts and advice back home with me. This is my first trip abroad, and after being on this trip, I want to not only come back to the places I’ve visited, but also travel the world. I haven’t even left for home yet and I’m sad to leave. I can’t wait to come back and share what I’ve learned with my peers and my family. This is an opportunity that I am so blessed to be given.

This trip was so amazing. From meeting all the new people, trying new foods, learning about all of the historic cultures from Dublin, Belfast, and Edinburgh! It was such an exhilarating experience and has taught me so much

My favorite part of this trip was the Giants Causeway. It was like literally being in a movie. I would go again for sure! But I also want to experience Greece. I would have preferred more time in Edinburgh since there is so much to see.

My study abroad experiences in Stirling, Scotland through CIS Abroad was one of the most transformative and unforgettable experience of my life! I truly loved every single second of my time abroad, from the incredible people I met along the way, the memories I made, the places I traveled, the things I got to try, and the tremendous growth I experienced. Stirling is a smaller town situated between the bigger cities and the Scottish Highlands, which made it an incredible place to travel from to see other places in Scotland. During my time, I grew to love Scottish traditions, culture, values, and ways of life— I really enjoyed how they viewed work-life balance. I also thoroughly enjoyed how easy it was to use public transportation to get around to other places in Scotland and travel to other countries, it truly enriched my experience and has made me yearn for when my next trip will be already!! CIS played an immense part in making this experience one I will never forget. The amount of support and friendliness from the staff, the lifelong friendships I gained, and the cultural immersions put on through the program were absolutely amazing and made me feel like I was getting the most I could out of this experience.

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.