June 25, 2025 • 13 mins
Study abroad Scotland. An unforgettable experience of culture, courage, and personal growth. Texas State University junior Jamin Ochoa signed up for a public relations class in Scotland and it's been a life-changing experience.
Jamin shares his journey of personal transformation from the campus of Queen Margaret University near Edinburgh.
Key Takeaways
• Jamin connected to his family heritage in Scotland
• Campus-based programs allow students to truly experience living in another country
• Explore Edinburgh Castle, Dean's Village, and the Highlands while finding joy in simple activities
• Study abroad is an opportunity to reinvent and experiment with self-expression - without worrying about others' judgment
• Scotland is surprisingly progressive and open-minded despite its traditional historical image
• Texas State study abroad students build strong bonds and friendships
• Scotland's public transportation system is efficient and fun
• Might explore opportunities to return to Scotland for a master's degree
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Judy Oskam (00:03):
Welcome to Stories of Change and Creativity
Scotland Edition.
This is a short series where Iexplore how people navigate
change and embrace creativityeven when the path isn't clear.
I'm Judy Oskam and in thisedition I'm coming to you from
Queen Margaret University nearEdinburgh, scotland.
(00:26):
I'm teaching a three-weekpublic relations course as part
of Texas State University'sEducation Abroad program and
along the way I'm sitting downwith students, faculty and local
professionals to capture theirstories.
From first-time travelers tocreative pros.
(00:46):
These conversations reveal howglobal experiences can shape who
we are and how we communicatewith the world.
I hope you enjoy ourconversation.
Jamin Ochoa (00:59):
I am Jamin Ochoa.
I am a junior at Texas StateUniversity.
Right now I'm studyingadvertising, but maybe pr.
That's a potential switch forme in the future.
Judy Oskam (01:08):
But they're both great degrees and they work very
well yes, they do so you don'treally have.
Jamin Ochoa (01:13):
You can't go wrong there I'm a little yeah, I'm a
little nervous advertising justbecause it doesn't align with a
lot of like what I hold to mycore values with selling and I
know everything's business.
But advertising is reallystrictly business, which is why
I'm kind of on the verge toswitch.
Judy Oskam (01:27):
But I know I can do but you can also go the creative
side, because you are super,super creative.
I have seen it in class youthink?
Jamin Ochoa (01:34):
I think I feel like I lack my creativity a lot.
Oh, my god that might be myimposter syndrome a little bit
now, that's your imposter.
Judy Oskam (01:40):
Don't worry about that, okay.
Okay, Well we're here in QueenMargaret University, the campus
near Edinburgh.
Jamin Ochoa (01:48):
Yes, near Edinburgh .
Judy Oskam (01:50):
So why did you pick this program and why Scotland?
Jamin Ochoa (01:54):
Well, full transparency.
Originally I was going to go toJapan Well, at least I wanted
to.
But then looking at the pricepoint I was like it's very
expensive, very insane.
I mean it looked really, reallyfun, but also it was, um, like
kind of like tour guide-ish andlike you kind of like were
always with your class andalways going to like certain
events, and even though thatseemed interesting, that wasn't
really what I like to do.
I'm kind of like a homebody, Ilike to kind of just go and do
(02:16):
things on my own, um.
And so I looked at Scotland andI saw that we were here for
three weeks, which is a lotlonger than any other program we
have at Texas State other thanlike the semester of brides.
So I was like that's amazing.
And then also my mom said thefamily's from Scotland, so we're
from the Glasgow area.
So I thought it'd be kind ofcool to come and like see.
And actually I went to Glasgowlast week and I got to like find
(02:37):
my clan, like pins and stuff.
Judy Oskam (02:39):
So that was really cool.
Do you have any uh family thereat?
Jamin Ochoa (02:42):
all not that I know of, I think, because with my
history, like we were duringScottish revolution or something
, you were exiled for the mostpart, yeah, but it was still
really cool to see.
Oh, I love that.
I didn't know that.
Yes, I might go today actuallyto see my castles, but I don't
know I think I would try and gobefore you go that's what I'm
thinking, but I actually plan tocome back.
Maybe I'm putting this the air,but I kind of want to get my
(03:03):
master's here.
Judy Oskam (03:04):
I love it.
Jamin Ochoa (03:05):
So maybe I'm too much of a dreamer, maybe not.
Judy Oskam (03:07):
No, always go for that.
And again, there's some greatopportunities here and in
Edinburgh.
Well, I love that and I thinkyou really kind of captured the
two different type of programs.
Our Japan program is fantastic.
It really is amazing and ourfaculty do a great job, but it
is sort of like the amazing raceand that's how the other trips
(03:27):
I've been and this is the firsttrip I've been that's been more
campus based, and I also like itbecause you feel like you
really do live here.
Jamin Ochoa (03:36):
Yes.
Judy Oskam (03:36):
You know, and so in doing that, we've had class
Monday through Thursday.
Yes, what have you then doneafter class, and what, what
sights and sounds that you cantell?
Jamin Ochoa (03:47):
well, we've all like found kind of our groups
here within the class, whichkind of also super nice that we
were able to connect with people, and like kind of choose,
because I know like we have ourfreedom, we, that's the big
thing here is your freedom andyour independence.
And so, like after class, at 12, typically, we'll all like get
together, like okay, what dowant to do today?
What's the vibe?
Sometimes I'll eat lunch.
I make sandwiches.
That's my big thing here.
A peanut butter sandwich getsme a long way, which is very
(04:09):
shocking, that's right.
So I'll make a sandwich or twoand then we'll be like okay,
where do you want to go?
We've gone to Edinburgh Castle.
We've gone to Dean's Village.
Circus Lane is a times um.
We did a highlands tour lastsorry, last um sunday or this
sunday.
Yeah, we did a Highlands tour.
(04:29):
I kind of I love to just gointo Edinburgh and just find a
park or find a little green areaand just sit, because I feel
like those third spaces that wehave here we don't really have
back home, right, and if we dohave them, they're not as
they're hot they're hot, orthey're like not as popularized,
or like be just being presentin the moment.
Sometimes we don't we forgetabout to do in america because
go, that's kind of my go-to isjust go and find a place to just
(04:50):
be and just enjoy the, thepeople.
Judy Oskam (04:54):
People watch the weather.
Oh my gosh.
Jamin Ochoa (04:57):
Yes yes, oh, the national gallery yeah, I've gone
a couple times that as well.
Judy Oskam (05:00):
It's just really cool well, you're sitting here
talking to me in a turtlenecksweater and it's june and in
texas.
It's going to be really hotwhen we get back, but well, you
know what are you going to takeback with you from this
experience.
How have you changed?
Jamin Ochoa (05:19):
I think, coming here, I mean one of the things
you said during our likeorientation meetings was like to
be like you could be whoeveryou want to be.
Yeah, like, don't come with anybaggage, don't come with
anything, just kind of come andI.
That's something that stuckwith me, and one of my big
things, back home at least, islike I like to dress up and like
to like explore a little bit,but I've always, you know, I
know people, people know me,they see me like, oh, if I look
crazy, everyone's gonna be likeoh, wow, what is he doing?
(05:40):
And then coming here, I knewnobody, so that was kind of a
thing.
I mean, you see me in class.
Sometimes I pull up in like aturtleneck.
I've never worn a turtleneckbefore and so was kind of cool
to see, and so it sounds crazy.
But just being able toexperiment through clothes in
another country, I think, takingback from that, I think when I
go home I'm going to not care asmuch what other people think
and I think I've become moreconfident being here, which is
(06:02):
shocking, because that's notsomething I expected to get.
Most people say they come back,they just enjoy the country and
they're like wow, it's so funand it's's so crazy, but I don't
hear a lot of internal changesfrom a lot of people who go
especially on like the amazingrace trips.
I think, being here and beingable to be my own person and do
what I want, and I think that issomething I'll take back and I
don't, like I'll ever forgetabout well and, and I think, a
(06:24):
lot of the your group projectsand I've tried to get you guys
to work in groups and you'vedone you.
Judy Oskam (06:29):
You guys have been fantastic.
You've actually gone out andyou've talked to businesses,
you've done projects, you'veyou've learned about public
relations and this is the introclass.
So you've done phenomenal.
But I think, working togetherin a team, I've seen you really
connect with your colleagues andyou didn't know each other
before.
Jamin Ochoa (06:48):
No, yeah, we all.
I mean especially I knew Rainaa little bit because at the
first orientation I was like, oh, I'm gonna travel outside of
the trip after and she was likeI want to do that.
So we kind of talked a littlebit.
We only met like three timesbefore we got here, um, but then
like people like allison andthose people I really connected
to why we're here, and it wasjust a really cool experience to
be able to meet people andrealize, wait, we go to the same
(07:09):
school or, granted, ouruniversity is.
Wait, we go to the same school,granted our university is huge.
But we go to the same school butwe've never met and we have so
much in common, which is crazy.
But I'm grateful that we met onthe strip.
Judy Oskam (07:17):
What would you say to people that are considering a
study abroad or they'reconsidering Scotland?
What would you say they'rethinking I don't know if I want
to do it.
It costs a lot of money.
We know it costs a lot of moneyand time.
Jamin Ochoa (07:32):
What would time?
What would you tell them?
It sounds crazy, but just to doit, yeah, I mean, especially on
the money end.
I mean I'm here paying nothingout of my own dime.
I got all of it paid for byscholarships.
So it's very possible to do umplan ahead.
Definitely don't like, if it'sa broader something you want to
do, think about that when you ayear or two in advance, so you
can think about what classes doI want to save, which program,
how much money do I need tostart saving up?
Because it does add up themoney here.
(07:54):
Even just food is like $30 USDfor some meals.
I'm like, wow, that'sridiculous.
Judy Oskam (07:58):
That's where the sandwiches come in.
That's where the sandwichescome in, that's right.
Jamin Ochoa (08:01):
I would say, just to really do it.
I think, even if it's a countryyou're not super excited about,
even if it's not your firstchoice, like it wasn't mine,
you'll learn a lot aboutdifferent cultures and you'll, I
think it'll open up your eyes.
Is even now, especially intoday's day and age.
I'm looking back in America andbeing like, well, maybe some
things should be different ormaybe some things are good there
and it's just a goodperspective to see what I'm
(08:22):
lucky.
I'm lucky for where I was born.
Like the fate of where we wereborn is one of the most grateful
things that you can be gratefulfor, and I think coming to
another country can either openup your eyes to being like, hey,
I should be grateful.
Hey, maybe it's time to pushfor some change.
Judy Oskam (08:36):
Yeah, yeah, that's very insightful.
And what will you do differentbesides the not caring what
anyone thinks?
What will you do different now,when you go back?
Because now you'll be lookingat it with a different lens.
Jamin Ochoa (08:51):
You're an international student right now
I think and that's scary, it's,I've been thinking about it for
the past couple days like goingback.
It's going to be a verydifferent change and it's going
to be very jarring, I think alittle bit, especially because
you've been here for so long.
But I think when I go back, Ithink I'm going to try to put
myself out there more,especially in the sense I think
(09:12):
having all these guest speakersin our class has been really
insightful to being like hey,sometimes you just need to try
something, you just need to doit.
And like even this podcast Iwas a little nervous for it.
I never do things like this, butI mean, I'm in mass
communication.
I need to start getting used todoing things like this.
I know, I know, and so I think,telling you about on like
social media, I want to startpushing myself more in a
professional way on social media.
(09:32):
Don't know if I will take meanywhere, but I love social
media.
It's my, it's my like passionand so I think, maybe trying to
find a way to maybe monetize itor, as your daughter does, like
Jess, just find a way to makethat more of just a oh I like to
post every now and then to thisis what I do, this is my hobby,
and maybe that hobby can becomea job yeah, I, I love that.
Judy Oskam (09:50):
I love that.
So you're giving us someguidance on how we can make some
changes to the program nextyear, and that's really
insightful.
Any last words about whatsurprised you the most about
Scotland.
Jamin Ochoa (10:06):
And I, because of how historical I think Scotland
comes across and how traditionalit seems, I kind of expected it
to be a lot more, I guess,traditional than it is.
I think, coming here not to besuper political either, but it's
super progressive, super openand I think people don't care
about other people.
You see people in the streetacting crazy.
Everyone's like okay, whatever.
(10:26):
That's part of it, that's lifeand I think that has been very
surprising because when you lookat scotland you look at a lot
of uk specifically, sohistorically rich, so
traditionally rich, um, but Iguess the people are.
The people are what make thecountry, not the sites and I
think that's a good, that's agood, yeah, I think that has
been very insightful, to seethat the people here what make
the country and that they aregreat people.
(10:48):
And the people here are justnice and progressive and open
and nonjudgmental, which is alsoshocking.
I thought Americans were hatedeverywhere we go, but being here
, I haven't heard a singlenegative thing about Americans,
which has been very just.
I think the people just havebeen very, very nice.
Judy Oskam (11:01):
And I think that's been the most surprising thing.
Yeah, and it is all about thepeople, and I know one of your
colleagues really talked aboutthe transportation.
Jamin Ochoa (11:10):
Oh my gosh, love the public transportation.
It is so nice to be able totake a bus and like we have
buses in America, but it's not.
It's not.
This and the train.
Oh my goodness, it's so nice.
Judy Oskam (11:17):
Yeah, yeah, it's so easy to to to get around, so so
again, last advice for studentsthat are thinking of education
abroad anywhere in the world.
Jamin Ochoa (11:36):
I think.
I think to maybe push yourself,I think even even the idea of
going abroad is scary and it'slike the days before this plane,
the plane here, I was like Idon't want to go, I'm going to
cancel it, I don't want to go.
Judy Oskam (11:47):
It that from somebody else?
Jamin Ochoa (11:48):
too.
It's so horrifying tocompletely upend your life and
to go in a whole other countrywhere you might not be welcomed
or you might not feel accepted.
But I think there's a lot morein store than you think and I
think it's going to be anexperience you won't forget.
It's an experience, it's goingto change you and, like me, who
might come back and might take amaster's here?
It might open so many doors foryou that you never knew were
possible.
So sometimes it's okay to closeyour door of hey, I want to
(12:11):
have a Kachow summer.
Hey, I want to stay in America.
Close that door.
Close that door, leave thewindow open, but close that door
and go abroad and takeopportunities and take risks,
because that's what's going tomake you who you are in the
future.
Judy Oskam (12:22):
Love it, love it.
Jamin Ochoa (12:24):
Thank you so much, thank you thank you for the
class this whole.
It's been really enjoyable.
It's been fun.
It's been so fun.
I it was nervous about theclass aspect but it's completely
turned around and it's well mygoal is always how to?
Judy Oskam (12:35):
how to get you guys out and into the world and learn
which you have, which is anerve-wracking, but you have,
but you guys did it, and againwe only have nine students in
the class.
But you guys have worked verywell and I'm just I'm amazed.
I'm sharing some of yourprojects with the qmu folks to
really show them the level, andyou guys aren't even seniors yet
(12:58):
not even there yet.
Jamin Ochoa (12:58):
Intro class, intro class.
Yeah, our classes have donereally well.
Just wait, I love it, let's seewhat's the story y'all go,
bobcats go bobc.
Judy Oskam (13:10):
Thanks so much for joining us on Stories of Change
and Creativity, Scotland Edition.
If you enjoyed this episode, besure and follow the podcast and
give us a like and a review.
It really helps more listenersdiscover these inspiring stories
.
Thanks for listening.
Welcome to Stories of Change and Creativity
Scotland Edition.
This is a short series where Iexplore how people navigate
change and embrace creativityeven when the path isn't clear.
I'm Judy Oskam and in thisedition I'm coming to you from
Queen Margaret University nearEdinburgh, scotland.
(00:26):
I'm teaching a three-weekpublic relations course as part
of Texas State University'sEducation Abroad program and
along the way I'm sitting downwith students, faculty and local
professionals to capture theirstories.
From first-time travelers tocreative pros.
(00:46):
These conversations reveal howglobal experiences can shape who
we are and how we communicatewith the world.
I hope you enjoy ourconversation.
Jamin Ochoa (00:59):
I am Jamin Ochoa.
I am a junior at Texas StateUniversity.
Right now I'm studyingadvertising, but maybe pr.
That's a potential switch forme in the future.
Judy Oskam (01:08):
But they're both great degrees and they work very
well yes, they do so you don'treally have.
Jamin Ochoa (01:13):
You can't go wrong there I'm a little yeah, I'm a
little nervous advertising justbecause it doesn't align with a
lot of like what I hold to mycore values with selling and I
know everything's business.
But advertising is reallystrictly business, which is why
I'm kind of on the verge toswitch.
Judy Oskam (01:27):
But I know I can do but you can also go the creative
side, because you are super,super creative.
I have seen it in class youthink?
Jamin Ochoa (01:34):
I think I feel like I lack my creativity a lot.
Oh, my god that might be myimposter syndrome a little bit
now, that's your imposter.
Judy Oskam (01:40):
Don't worry about that, okay.
Okay, Well we're here in QueenMargaret University, the campus
near Edinburgh.
Jamin Ochoa (01:48):
Yes, near Edinburgh .
Judy Oskam (01:50):
So why did you pick this program and why Scotland?
Jamin Ochoa (01:54):
Well, full transparency.
Originally I was going to go toJapan Well, at least I wanted
to.
But then looking at the pricepoint I was like it's very
expensive, very insane.
I mean it looked really, reallyfun, but also it was, um, like
kind of like tour guide-ish andlike you kind of like were
always with your class andalways going to like certain
events, and even though thatseemed interesting, that wasn't
really what I like to do.
I'm kind of like a homebody, Ilike to kind of just go and do
(02:16):
things on my own, um.
And so I looked at Scotland andI saw that we were here for
three weeks, which is a lotlonger than any other program we
have at Texas State other thanlike the semester of brides.
So I was like that's amazing.
And then also my mom said thefamily's from Scotland, so we're
from the Glasgow area.
So I thought it'd be kind ofcool to come and like see.
And actually I went to Glasgowlast week and I got to like find
(02:37):
my clan, like pins and stuff.
Judy Oskam (02:39):
So that was really cool.
Do you have any uh family thereat?
Jamin Ochoa (02:42):
all not that I know of, I think, because with my
history, like we were duringScottish revolution or something
, you were exiled for the mostpart, yeah, but it was still
really cool to see.
Oh, I love that.
I didn't know that.
Yes, I might go today actuallyto see my castles, but I don't
know I think I would try and gobefore you go that's what I'm
thinking, but I actually plan tocome back.
Maybe I'm putting this the air,but I kind of want to get my
(03:03):
master's here.
Judy Oskam (03:04):
I love it.
Jamin Ochoa (03:05):
So maybe I'm too much of a dreamer, maybe not.
Judy Oskam (03:07):
No, always go for that.
And again, there's some greatopportunities here and in
Edinburgh.
Well, I love that and I thinkyou really kind of captured the
two different type of programs.
Our Japan program is fantastic.
It really is amazing and ourfaculty do a great job, but it
is sort of like the amazing raceand that's how the other trips
(03:27):
I've been and this is the firsttrip I've been that's been more
campus based, and I also like itbecause you feel like you
really do live here.
Jamin Ochoa (03:36):
Yes.
Judy Oskam (03:36):
You know, and so in doing that, we've had class
Monday through Thursday.
Yes, what have you then doneafter class, and what, what
sights and sounds that you cantell?
Jamin Ochoa (03:47):
well, we've all like found kind of our groups
here within the class, whichkind of also super nice that we
were able to connect with people, and like kind of choose,
because I know like we have ourfreedom, we, that's the big
thing here is your freedom andyour independence.
And so, like after class, at 12, typically, we'll all like get
together, like okay, what dowant to do today?
What's the vibe?
Sometimes I'll eat lunch.
I make sandwiches.
That's my big thing here.
A peanut butter sandwich getsme a long way, which is very
(04:09):
shocking, that's right.
So I'll make a sandwich or twoand then we'll be like okay,
where do you want to go?
We've gone to Edinburgh Castle.
We've gone to Dean's Village.
Circus Lane is a times um.
We did a highlands tour lastsorry, last um sunday or this
sunday.
Yeah, we did a Highlands tour.
(04:29):
I kind of I love to just gointo Edinburgh and just find a
park or find a little green areaand just sit, because I feel
like those third spaces that wehave here we don't really have
back home, right, and if we dohave them, they're not as
they're hot they're hot, orthey're like not as popularized,
or like be just being presentin the moment.
Sometimes we don't we forgetabout to do in america because
go, that's kind of my go-to isjust go and find a place to just
(04:50):
be and just enjoy the, thepeople.
Judy Oskam (04:54):
People watch the weather.
Oh my gosh.
Jamin Ochoa (04:57):
Yes yes, oh, the national gallery yeah, I've gone
a couple times that as well.
Judy Oskam (05:00):
It's just really cool well, you're sitting here
talking to me in a turtlenecksweater and it's june and in
texas.
It's going to be really hotwhen we get back, but well, you
know what are you going to takeback with you from this
experience.
How have you changed?
Jamin Ochoa (05:19):
I think, coming here, I mean one of the things
you said during our likeorientation meetings was like to
be like you could be whoeveryou want to be.
Yeah, like, don't come with anybaggage, don't come with
anything, just kind of come andI.
That's something that stuckwith me, and one of my big
things, back home at least, islike I like to dress up and like
to like explore a little bit,but I've always, you know, I
know people, people know me,they see me like, oh, if I look
crazy, everyone's gonna be likeoh, wow, what is he doing?
(05:40):
And then coming here, I knewnobody, so that was kind of a
thing.
I mean, you see me in class.
Sometimes I pull up in like aturtleneck.
I've never worn a turtleneckbefore and so was kind of cool
to see, and so it sounds crazy.
But just being able toexperiment through clothes in
another country, I think, takingback from that, I think when I
go home I'm going to not care asmuch what other people think
and I think I've become moreconfident being here, which is
(06:02):
shocking, because that's notsomething I expected to get.
Most people say they come back,they just enjoy the country and
they're like wow, it's so funand it's's so crazy, but I don't
hear a lot of internal changesfrom a lot of people who go
especially on like the amazingrace trips.
I think, being here and beingable to be my own person and do
what I want, and I think that issomething I'll take back and I
don't, like I'll ever forgetabout well and, and I think, a
(06:24):
lot of the your group projectsand I've tried to get you guys
to work in groups and you'vedone you.
Judy Oskam (06:29):
You guys have been fantastic.
You've actually gone out andyou've talked to businesses,
you've done projects, you'veyou've learned about public
relations and this is the introclass.
So you've done phenomenal.
But I think, working togetherin a team, I've seen you really
connect with your colleagues andyou didn't know each other
before.
Jamin Ochoa (06:48):
No, yeah, we all.
I mean especially I knew Rainaa little bit because at the
first orientation I was like, oh, I'm gonna travel outside of
the trip after and she was likeI want to do that.
So we kind of talked a littlebit.
We only met like three timesbefore we got here, um, but then
like people like allison andthose people I really connected
to why we're here, and it wasjust a really cool experience to
be able to meet people andrealize, wait, we go to the same
(07:09):
school or, granted, ouruniversity is.
Wait, we go to the same school,granted our university is huge.
But we go to the same school butwe've never met and we have so
much in common, which is crazy.
But I'm grateful that we met onthe strip.
Judy Oskam (07:17):
What would you say to people that are considering a
study abroad or they'reconsidering Scotland?
What would you say they'rethinking I don't know if I want
to do it.
It costs a lot of money.
We know it costs a lot of moneyand time.
Jamin Ochoa (07:32):
What would time?
What would you tell them?
It sounds crazy, but just to doit, yeah, I mean, especially on
the money end.
I mean I'm here paying nothingout of my own dime.
I got all of it paid for byscholarships.
So it's very possible to do umplan ahead.
Definitely don't like, if it'sa broader something you want to
do, think about that when you ayear or two in advance, so you
can think about what classes doI want to save, which program,
how much money do I need tostart saving up?
Because it does add up themoney here.
(07:54):
Even just food is like $30 USDfor some meals.
I'm like, wow, that'sridiculous.
Judy Oskam (07:58):
That's where the sandwiches come in.
That's where the sandwichescome in, that's right.
Jamin Ochoa (08:01):
I would say, just to really do it.
I think, even if it's a countryyou're not super excited about,
even if it's not your firstchoice, like it wasn't mine,
you'll learn a lot aboutdifferent cultures and you'll, I
think it'll open up your eyes.
Is even now, especially intoday's day and age.
I'm looking back in America andbeing like, well, maybe some
things should be different ormaybe some things are good there
and it's just a goodperspective to see what I'm
(08:22):
lucky.
I'm lucky for where I was born.
Like the fate of where we wereborn is one of the most grateful
things that you can be gratefulfor, and I think coming to
another country can either openup your eyes to being like, hey,
I should be grateful.
Hey, maybe it's time to pushfor some change.
Judy Oskam (08:36):
Yeah, yeah, that's very insightful.
And what will you do differentbesides the not caring what
anyone thinks?
What will you do different now,when you go back?
Because now you'll be lookingat it with a different lens.
Jamin Ochoa (08:51):
You're an international student right now
I think and that's scary, it's,I've been thinking about it for
the past couple days like goingback.
It's going to be a verydifferent change and it's going
to be very jarring, I think alittle bit, especially because
you've been here for so long.
But I think when I go back, Ithink I'm going to try to put
myself out there more,especially in the sense I think
(09:12):
having all these guest speakersin our class has been really
insightful to being like hey,sometimes you just need to try
something, you just need to doit.
And like even this podcast Iwas a little nervous for it.
I never do things like this, butI mean, I'm in mass
communication.
I need to start getting used todoing things like this.
I know, I know, and so I think,telling you about on like
social media, I want to startpushing myself more in a
professional way on social media.
(09:32):
Don't know if I will take meanywhere, but I love social
media.
It's my, it's my like passionand so I think, maybe trying to
find a way to maybe monetize itor, as your daughter does, like
Jess, just find a way to makethat more of just a oh I like to
post every now and then to thisis what I do, this is my hobby,
and maybe that hobby can becomea job yeah, I, I love that.
Judy Oskam (09:50):
I love that.
So you're giving us someguidance on how we can make some
changes to the program nextyear, and that's really
insightful.
Any last words about whatsurprised you the most about
Scotland.
Jamin Ochoa (10:06):
And I, because of how historical I think Scotland
comes across and how traditionalit seems, I kind of expected it
to be a lot more, I guess,traditional than it is.
I think, coming here not to besuper political either, but it's
super progressive, super openand I think people don't care
about other people.
You see people in the streetacting crazy.
Everyone's like okay, whatever.
(10:26):
That's part of it, that's lifeand I think that has been very
surprising because when you lookat scotland you look at a lot
of uk specifically, sohistorically rich, so
traditionally rich, um, but Iguess the people are.
The people are what make thecountry, not the sites and I
think that's a good, that's agood, yeah, I think that has
been very insightful, to seethat the people here what make
the country and that they aregreat people.
(10:48):
And the people here are justnice and progressive and open
and nonjudgmental, which is alsoshocking.
I thought Americans were hatedeverywhere we go, but being here
, I haven't heard a singlenegative thing about Americans,
which has been very just.
I think the people just havebeen very, very nice.
Judy Oskam (11:01):
And I think that's been the most surprising thing.
Yeah, and it is all about thepeople, and I know one of your
colleagues really talked aboutthe transportation.
Jamin Ochoa (11:10):
Oh my gosh, love the public transportation.
It is so nice to be able totake a bus and like we have
buses in America, but it's not.
It's not.
This and the train.
Oh my goodness, it's so nice.
Judy Oskam (11:17):
Yeah, yeah, it's so easy to to to get around, so so
again, last advice for studentsthat are thinking of education
abroad anywhere in the world.
Jamin Ochoa (11:36):
I think.
I think to maybe push yourself,I think even even the idea of
going abroad is scary and it'slike the days before this plane,
the plane here, I was like Idon't want to go, I'm going to
cancel it, I don't want to go.
Judy Oskam (11:47):
It that from somebody else?
Jamin Ochoa (11:48):
too.
It's so horrifying tocompletely upend your life and
to go in a whole other countrywhere you might not be welcomed
or you might not feel accepted.
But I think there's a lot morein store than you think and I
think it's going to be anexperience you won't forget.
It's an experience, it's goingto change you and, like me, who
might come back and might take amaster's here?
It might open so many doors foryou that you never knew were
possible.
So sometimes it's okay to closeyour door of hey, I want to
(12:11):
have a Kachow summer.
Hey, I want to stay in America.
Close that door.
Close that door, leave thewindow open, but close that door
and go abroad and takeopportunities and take risks,
because that's what's going tomake you who you are in the
future.
Judy Oskam (12:22):
Love it, love it.
Jamin Ochoa (12:24):
Thank you so much, thank you thank you for the
class this whole.
It's been really enjoyable.
It's been fun.
It's been so fun.
I it was nervous about theclass aspect but it's completely
turned around and it's well mygoal is always how to?
Judy Oskam (12:35):
how to get you guys out and into the world and learn
which you have, which is anerve-wracking, but you have,
but you guys did it, and againwe only have nine students in
the class.
But you guys have worked verywell and I'm just I'm amazed.
I'm sharing some of yourprojects with the qmu folks to
really show them the level, andyou guys aren't even seniors yet
(12:58):
not even there yet.
Jamin Ochoa (12:58):
Intro class, intro class.
Yeah, our classes have donereally well.
Just wait, I love it, let's seewhat's the story y'all go,
bobcats go bobc.
Judy Oskam (13:10):
Thanks so much for joining us on Stories of Change
and Creativity, Scotland Edition.
If you enjoyed this episode, besure and follow the podcast and
give us a like and a review.
It really helps more listenersdiscover these inspiring stories
.
Thanks for listening.
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