12
in other words
august21
2014
Life with a Scottish Accent:
My Summer Studying Abroad - Part Four
By Natalie Wallace
underground tour, and a nuclear bunker/
communism tour. It was interesting
I know it’s pretty cliché, but one because all of the history I learned while
thing that my study abroad experience there started centuries ago and went
has taught me is that time does indeed fly up to about only 50 years ago. It was
when you are having fun. My last couple amazing just how rich in history the city
of weeks in Scotland were very nice, of Prague was; everywhere you looked,
even though they were filled with the there were beautiful old buildings, many
stress of packing and fitting everything of which were older than the United
back into my suitcase.
States! The underground tour was really
I took a weekend trip to Prague interesting because the city was raised
the week before I journeyed home. I hundreds of years ago because they had
went to visit one of my good friends, (and still have) bad floods that destroy
Bob, who was an exchange student in everything (which is something I think
Vernonia a few years ago. I honestly we can all relate to in Vernonia). On
didn’t know what to expect, I didn’t many of the buildings in Prague, there
know much about Prague to begin with, are marks to show where the water was
but it is an absolutely beautiful city with during various floods over the years.
so much to do! Bob and I did almost
One of my favorite parts of my
everything there was to do in Prague (or trip had to be going on a segway tour
at least it felt like it). He works as a tour of Prague. It was really scary at first, I
guide, so he was a great person to see thought I was going to fall, but once I got
everything with. We did a ghost tour, an the hang of it, it was so much fun! It was
much better than walking up
and down the hills.
I
honestly
never
expected to love Scotland as
much as I do. To have one last
farewell to everyone from
my study abroad program,
a ceilidh (a fun get-together
with a band and traditional
Scottish dancing) was put on.
It allowed all of the students
to say goodbye to everyone
and look back on all of the
fun we have had. This time,
the ceilidh was held at a local
castle (how many times do
Natalie with former VHS exchange student
you ever get to say that!).
When it was over, it finally
hit me that I would never see
some of these people ever
again, which was a bittersweet
thought.
The day before I
left for home, two of my
roommates and I went into
Stirling to do some last minute
souvenir shopping and to go
to Stirling Castle. It was nice
to spend some time with them
because I had gotten really
close to them and we were all
on our separate ways the very
next day.
The view from the plane leaving Scotland.
realize how much I missed Oregon until
I came home again. While Scotland and
Oregon have a lot in common (like the
language), I missed the smaller things,
like the trees everywhere, or the smell
Natalie’s sister Samantha
welcomes her home.
Bob Michalec in Prague.
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Segway tour in Prague.
Now I am home and have
finally finished unpacking and catching
up on my sleep. After traveling about
18 hours to get to Portland, I was pretty
exhausted but also exhilarated to see
my family in person after two months
of just skyping. As soon as I landed in
Portland, I got huge butterflies in my
stomach, because I was so excited to see
my family. They had a welcome home
sign and everything; I swear I have
never been hugged so much in my life!
My Mom, Dad, sister, and aunt were
all there to welcome me home. I didn’t
after it rains; which surprisingly smells
different in Scotland.
Overall, I couldn’t be happier
with my decision to study abroad this
summer, and choosing Scotland as the
place to do it. It gave me the opportunity
to learn about my ancestry and heritage
in a very hands-on way. Even though I
have traveled outside of the US before, I
feel that this trip has shown me just how
big the world is. No matter how much
you think you know, just remember that
there is so much more out there than any
of us can imagine. I encourage everyone,
no matter if you are old or young, or
whether you come from a big city or a
tiny logging town; get out there and see
the world. I guarantee you that it will
change your perception and outlook in
the most incredible way imaginable. It
did for me.
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