Month: May 2025

It is easy to Imagine that moving to another country or university would be difficult, however Strathclyde University offered support at every step of the process from navigating the application process, to applying for housing, to moving in. I always knew I had a mentor I could turn to with questions.

Despite University of Strathclyde being a large school, I never felt like “just another number.” After requesting quiet housing and having my request met tenfold, to borrowing professors personal copies of textbooks, to conversations with maintenance personnel, I always felt seen and heard.

Academics at Strathclyde are rigorous and the information is engaging. I have learned so much over the five months spent there! So if you are looking to study abroad, I would definitely recommend Strathclyde!

Isabella

One of the longer tours I took was a two night, three day trip to the Isle of Skye. The drive from Glasgow to Skye was an adventure itself with many stops along the way. And it was on this drive that I finally fulfilled my life-long dream of seeing highland cows!

One stop was Eilean Donan Castle, an iconic castle used in various films and featured on postcards. While here, I learned  the reason that the majority of Scottish castles are in ruins. There was a time period where Scotland and England were engaged in warfare, and the English armies would destroy the castles they left behind  so that the Scott’s couldn’t use them as defense later. It is a shame to see such magnificent structures in ruins, but the history contained in these locations is awe-inspiring.

Skye was beautiful. We stayed in Portree, the capital town of the isle. While there, we visited souvenir shops, ate too many fish and chips, and hiked the Old Man of Storr. We were lucky enough to have good weather on the day of our hike-  it wasn’t cloudy or foggy – so we were able to see for miles in every direction. It was a bit of a steep hike (so make sure you’re ready for it), but the views make it more than worth it.

On our way back to Glasgow, we stopped at Kilt Rock. Some say the rock is shaped like a  kilt (hence the name), but I couldn’t see it. However, it was a pretty rock with a gorgeous waterfall.

Participating in tours is a great way to meet new people and make new friends. It was on this trip that I met the girls who would become very good friends and future traveling companions.

– Isabella

I recently had the chance to sit down with Shannon Hersage, the Study Abroad Manager at the University of Strathclyde, to learn more about her background and what brought her to Scotland. Originally from the Bay Area in California, Shannon’s journey to the UK began during her junior year of college, when she spent a semester abroad in Ireland. She loved the area so much that she returned to the UK when she decided to pursue her master’s degree.

With lower tuition and one-year programs, European universities offered a faster, more affordable path than those in the U.S.  Remembering her positive experience in Ireland, she focused her search on the UK and ultimately enrolled at the University of Edinburgh. Since then, she’s built a life in Scotland and worked at various universities before taking on her current role at University of Strathclyde.  Scotland has been her home for the last twenty years. Over time, Shannon has fully embraced her life in the UK. She’s adapted to the culture, picked up a Scottish accent (at least on most words), and built a career in international education.

Located in Glasgow, the University of Strathclyde presents a bit of a commute from her home in Edinburgh. We chatted about the cost of intercity travel—surprisingly, a forty-five minute train ride can cost upwards of £30. However, Shannon pointed out that traveling during off-peak hours can cut that cost in half, which helps manage the commute. This was good information to have as I had noticed that the price for public transportation was a bit expensive for a university student and had been trying to find the most efficient way to utilize it.

One particularly interesting topic of our conversation was about the people of Glasgow. Shannon described Glaswegians as friendlier than elsewhere in Scotland – as if rather than being simply polite they go the extra mile to be kind. We talked about how Glasgow’s working-class roots may play a role in this strong sense of community and empathy This story about the kindness of Glaswegians is similar to what I have heard many times.

Talking with Shannon reminded me why study abroad can be such a life-changing experience. It opens your eyes to different ways of living and helps you realize that, while people around the world may have different customs and cultures, we all ultimately seek the same things: stability, fulfillment, and connection.

There’s no single right way to live a good life, and being exposed to diverse perspectives makes you more open-minded, adaptable, and grounded.

Isabella

One of my Favorite ISTours was the Outlander Castle Tour.  Even if you aren’t a fan of the show, I would recommend going on this tour because the castles are absolutely gorgeous.

First, we visited Dean Castle, which featured as Beaufort Castle in the Outlander series. Dean Castle is one of the rare castles in Scotland that is still in one piece – many of the others having been destroyed by British armies.

After Dean Castle, we traveled to Dunure Castle. Dunure Castle and the surrounding area served as three separate settings in Outlander. While the castle itself is in ruins, the grounds are well cared for with an outdoor maze and miniature bee farm.

Our final castle stop was Dunskey Castle which is set right on the edge of a cliff with beautiful views of the ocean.

On the way home, our tour guide surprised us with a stop at the beach right as the sun began to set – a perfect way to end the day!

Isabella