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