As I have said in my pre-trip blog post, I had never really thought studying abroad was for me, but now I think I am hooked. The adrenaline you feel traveling to such an unfamiliar place so far from home is unreal. You never really know how much is out there until you experience it for the first time. Now I wouldn’t say Scotland is necessarily a culture shock by any means; after all, they are an English speaking country that has many similarities to America, but it was an excellent starting point. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about my experience there, or bring it up in conversation. It made a huge impact on me. Especially the kids at Troqueer. I believe they impacted me just as much as we impacted them! I know I will be able to look on the time spent in Scotland and really appreciate all the memories it has given me for a long time to come. If I got anything out of this trip it would be getting out of my comfort zone. I’ve always been picky eater, but I used this as a chance to try pretty much anything and everything…even haggis*. I took a big leap when I decided to sign up for a trip without even knowing anyone, and I ended up getting very close to quite a few of them. It’s the little things you don’t realize until you look back. I will be forever thankful for the opportunity to share my love of agriculture across seas and broaden my own horizons in the process. Scotland will forever have my longing to go back.
*haggis: a savoury pudding containing sheep’s pluck (heart, liver and lungs); minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices, and salt, mixed with stock, traditionally encased in the animal’s stomach[1] though now often in an artificial casing instead. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haggis)
