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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

These past four weeks have been so much fun! Our riding and educational staff has been wonderful and supportive throughout this whole experience, making it extremely enjoyable and easy to navigate. Even knowing no one beforehand, this experience has been absolutely amazing. I have had a great time getting to know everyone on the trip and getting to explore together!

This trip was super interesting and fun! It allowed me to do activities and attend classes not available at my home school. The teachers where amazing and the other student not he trip where great. I dont ride horses at home so this trip was a great way to learn the basics while getting to explore another country.

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 loved this experience so much it really taught me a lot about myself and just how much I enjoy traveling. I loved the horses especially and the professors were always very helpful and encouraging. Overall, would totally do it again. .

The equine science summer abroad in Scotland was a life-changing experience! I am so glad I did this program, and wish I could do it again and again! The campus was stunning, the lecturers were all wonderful, the coursework was engaging, the riding was fun, and the sightseeing was incredible! Coming on this study abroad was nerve-wracking for me, but everything went smoothly and I had the time of my life. I would recommend this program to everyone!

I had a great time in Scotland!! All of the girls were wonderful and there was a range of riding abilities but that didn't stop us all having fun riding, at school, and out and about. The trips the staff brought us on were great, super fun!! The profs were super helpful and I learned a lot.

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!