June 25, 2025 • 17 mins
Just say yes to opportunities.
Grace White, a rising sophomore public relations major at Texas State University, shares her transformative experiences about her three-week study abroad program in Scotland. Grace was a student in my Intro to Public Relations class at Queen Margaret University. We sat down in the library on campus and I recorded our conversation on my iPhone. We talked about how a classroom presentation evolved into a life-changing journey.
Key Takeaways
• Overcoming imposter syndrome as a first year student considering study abroad
• Surprised by the warmth and friendliness of Scottish locals
• Completing public relations projects with real local businesses
• Exploring Edinburgh's tourist highlights and hidden gems
• Building unexpected friendships with fellow Texas State students
• Learning to embrace mistakes as valuable experiences
• Discovering Calton Hill as a perfect sunset viewing location
• Navigating public transportation and finding adventure in wrong turns
• Pride in being among the first Texas State students at Queen Margaret University
• Taking home a new philosophy of saying "yes" to opportunities
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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.
Grace White (00:58):
Hi, I'm Grace White .
I just finished my freshmanyear at Texas State.
I am majoring in publicrelations and I have yet to
declare my minor.
But I am on the process oftrying to really figure out
what's best for me and my bestroute.
But I'm really looking at allof the options so I'm not very
particular yet I'm reallyinterested in some of the
(01:21):
classes that I've been seeingthrough each minor.
So that's kind of been my nextstep in my process, but I'm
really enjoying my time here.
Judy Oskam (01:31):
Good, Well, tell me let's kind of start there why
did you pick this educationabroad trip?
Grace White (01:37):
Well, actually you came to the Mass Comm class.
Judy Oskam (01:41):
Oh, Lori Fluker's class.
Dr Fluker, yes.
Grace White (01:44):
I was a friend in that class, um, that I like had
just met and we were listeningto it and like your kind of
pitch on it, I was like honestly, this could be so cool.
But I definitely have a bit ofimposter syndrome so I was like
I don't know if I'm quality.
I don't know if I can do this,like I'm a freshman, like sure
and I was like it's probably forolder students and I didn
(02:04):
didn't really know exactly.
But I was like I don't, I don'tknow what the best route is.
And then I'm thinking and I'mlooking at like my itinerary,
kind of, for what classes I needto start taking for my
sophomore year.
I'm like, oh, like, this is aclass for my sophomore year,
maybe I should just try to do it.
And so I looked into it alittle more, but your pitch was
(02:25):
really what got me in it.
Judy Oskam (02:27):
I'm not fishing for a compliment here.
Grace White (02:29):
But it was really interesting.
I also really liked the idea ofit was a three week program.
I honestly did not know.
The other programs were shorterthan this.
I thought this was like, oh, atleast it's not a semester.
That was my biggest thing oflike staying in San Marcos and
being closer to my family inAustin and my friends and my
(02:50):
life at home is like a reallybig thing.
So I was nervous to even lookat if there was anything
remotely longer than a threeweek program.
So I was really interestedbecause of that.
Judy Oskam (03:03):
OK, oh, that's good, that's good.
Well, and Scotland?
So tell me, what has have youbeen surprised about Scotland?
What's been the?
Grace White (03:15):
most interesting, surprising for you, I think.
Even though we were kind ofalready told some of the things,
I'm still so surprised, likeeven like just from the weather,
like the weather has been asuper big thing, but I think
everything I was reallyexpecting a little more cold
interactions with locals,because that's like one thing I
(03:36):
feel like has been a big stigmais just American visitors from
different areas anywhere andjust kind of getting the cold
shoulder sometimes.
So I was nervous about that.
But everyone here is so sweet,so nice, like it's just.
I know it's their job half ofthe time, but just the way they
like to make you feel welcome isjust so like.
Judy Oskam (03:59):
I just feel so happy to be here and so sad to leave.
Well, I know, and we're in ourlast week yes, we are.
And you guys have done for theclass.
We've done some mini projectsand you've actually gotten out
and done some public relationsand you've been involved with
the local community.
You've met with businesses andyou've talked to them about
public relations and whatthey're doing and I'm so proud
(04:20):
of you guys for doing that.
I'm so proud of you guys fordoing that.
Grace White (04:22):
I'm very happy that I've I'm proud of myself yeah.
I've been able to do thatbecause I am a bit more on the
timid side back home.
So it's been really great tolike open up and like get on my
shell a little, because that waslike my biggest thing, was like
a little nervous to eveninteract with my peers and I
didn't really know them as well,so that was a big thing.
But the local communities arelike amazing.
(04:43):
They I didn't really know themas well, so that was a big thing
.
But the local communities arelike amazing, they're so nice.
The person, the shop owner thatwe interviewed, allison and I
we love him, like he is the best, and we were so sad when he was
on holiday but coming back hewas so talkative to us and he
still really like likes tointeract and it wasn't just a
one-time thing.
He really like clearly caresabout his community, even if we
(05:05):
were just here for three weeks.
Judy Oskam (05:06):
The pizzeria right.
Is that what you did?
The Italian shop At the?
Grace White (05:09):
end of the history.
He's so nice, so definitelyit's been.
It's been great to feel welcomeNice.
Judy Oskam (05:17):
Well, and, and you've lived in the dorm, but
you guys have had you havesingle rooms.
So you guys have had you havesingle rooms.
Yes, so you have a private room, but then you share a kitchen.
Has there been much cookingthere or some?
Yes, I mean, the fridges arepretty full.
Grace White (05:30):
Yeah, okay, good, there have been some things I
have been like I'd rather spendmy time walking somewhere and
going outside, so I've been onpre-made lunches or just like
getting something quick to eat.
But also I'm still kind of inmy freshman eating phase where I
just can grab anything I findRight, so I haven't been super
(05:53):
like needing to picky aboutthings.
Yeah, I'm happy for anything,nice, nice but yeah, the the
solo rooms was a big factorbecause I um just came out of
the dorm living situation yes,so I'm very done that.
Yeah, so I was like I'm gonnaget spoiled here, like I'm so
excited in my own room, so thatwas a big factor as well, so I
(06:13):
was really happy about that nice, nice, and the shower is super
small, so small it's like's,like that's another thing.
Judy Oskam (06:21):
Yeah, that's beautiful though.
Well, and you know how do youthink this experience has
changed you?
What are you going to go backand do differently?
Do you have any new habits thatyou're going to start and do
differently?
Grace White (06:34):
I think like not say no as much anymore.
Oh, I love that, I feel like Iwas very in my shell and very
quiet and I did not really havemany friends from Texas State
specifically.
I kind of struggled in thatarea.
I excelled more academicallythe first year, which I'm
honestly very shocked by butalso proud of.
Judy Oskam (06:56):
So sure that was my, and you should be.
Grace White (06:58):
Thank you you yes, yeah, so that was my big thing
was like, okay, well, I have afooting on my academic aspects
now.
So I was like I really do needto like push myself and do
something like this.
And I think even the fact thatwe all knew we're all going to
be stuck together for threeweeks, like we should build
these bonds together, and now,like these people that I've met,
like I, we're so excited to seeeach other in Texas State.
Judy Oskam (07:21):
Now that's going to be so fun.
Grace White (07:22):
Yeah, we're so excited to go to football games
now together and like buildthese connections and bonds, and
even one of us we were talkingabout, like maybe we'll be
roommates- you could roommate,yeah, so we're so excited about
that.
So I'm really happy.
I feel like that's been.
My biggest thing is I'veactually met people that can be
lifelong friends if we reallyput that effort into, and I'm
just really excited to be backhome to do that, but yeah,
(07:44):
saying no, just just trying tobe out there more.
I love that yeah, I was talkingto my friends back home.
They're like yeah, you've beenreally out and about.
Judy Oskam (07:51):
I'm like I know this is new for me, so yeah, yeah.
Well, part of the assignmenthas been to do some social media
, and you've actually done that,for your client has been queen
margaret university, so you guyshave kind of had a little taste
of that yeah, jim is supposedto upload ours soon oh nice,
nice 24 hour life yes, it's likehere, but yes, we're very
(08:13):
excited well, and and living inthe dorm and yet, being a part
of uh, connected to a big cityedinburgh is a huge city and
what have you?
what are some tourist thingsthat you've done and things that
you've seen that you wouldrecommend for someone traveling
over here?
Grace White (08:33):
we've really tried to hit everything, like the
first week it was like 25 000steps a day day like running,
running, running.
But the sites are beautiful.
So just we were walking on theRoyal Mile, which is such a
tourist spot, but it's so meantto be.
Judy Oskam (08:49):
Iconic.
It's so iconic it really is.
Grace White (08:51):
And so all of the streets kind of sprout out from
the Royal Mile.
So we did a lot of that.
Where we found some shops,either on tiktok or just like
from recommendations and what wewill like, map it to that spot
and then from there we just walk.
So we were walking everywhere.
But victoria street is superfun, but there's also other
streets, even like closer to thewaverly uh train station, and
(09:14):
we will walk that, and there arelike this like jurassic park
bar or something like that.
So we're just like wait, that'scool so we start walking all the
way down.
So we've been just like reallywandering.
But it's so close to, like, thecentral area of Edinburgh and,
um, we also have done Dean'sVillage, looking at the sites,
like that, it's just so nice tosee.
(09:36):
But, um, we loved Calton Hillspecifically.
We've been there probably themost out of anything else and
I've seen some things on my likefor you page from locals saying
like if you, you should doArthur's Seat, but you don't
have to do it every night, likeyou should go to Calton Hill,
which is like, arguably likeeight minutes from the train
(09:57):
station and it's less of a hikeand it's a beautiful view,
arguably maybe better, um,seeing the town, seeing the city
, um, and watching the sunsetfrom there, and the sunsets have
been so beautiful I saw some ofyour posts on that.
It's so pretty it's so prettyand we can like bring a little
snack and we'll eat there.
So we've been really liketrying to see the sites, the
(10:18):
most.
And even like just fromPrince's Garden.
That's been beautiful and theview to the castle there is
arguably maybe better than evenjust going into the castle, just
seeing and imagining all ofthat?
Judy Oskam (10:34):
Yeah, exactly.
Grace White (10:35):
Imagining and we did do the castle, but I think
most of us can say that the viewfrom outside of it, looking at
it, has been like extraordinaryto look at.
So we've just done a lot of thewalks.
Has been the big thing.
But, Prince's Garden is justprobably one of the best.
Judy Oskam (10:51):
And the train.
Everyone loves the train.
It's so easy Six minutes intoEdinburgh from the campus.
Grace White (10:58):
Yeah, it's been pretty straightforward with the
train experience.
I think, honestly, the firsttime we ever had gone on the
train was the first day that wegot there and it was just my
little group of three and it washonestly like the biggest
culture shock was getting onthat train and we were during
(11:19):
like rush hour for sure, and wedid not know and everyone was
just so lively and chatty andeveryone was wearing like
something different and we werelooking at everyone and we're
just quiet, like we were quietthe entire ride.
And we're just like, oh my gosh,like we can't believe we're
here, like this is crazy, and itwas like everyone was kind of
chatting with each other, eventhough they weren't in the same
(11:40):
parties, and so that was reallycool very friendly, very
friendly and like welcoming andso that was really cool to like
just see that.
And then the rest of the trainrides have been a little more
like relaxed and chill, and sowe've seen like different sides
of each like transportation yeah, yeah, and the buses are
another opportunity.
Judy Oskam (11:59):
You just have to make sure I got on the wrong bus
.
Oh, we, yeah, we did thatliterally the first.
Grace White (12:04):
We were waiting for our rooms and we get there and
we take the wrong.
We did not understand that wehad to be on the right side of
the road and we just decided totake a little just jump on that
bus tour to all throughedinburgh and we made it to the
very end of where the Highlandcows are.
Judy Oskam (12:21):
Oh my gosh.
Grace White (12:21):
So we went all the way through, and then we kind of
went all the way back, and soit was a mistake, but a happy
mistake yes, we were very happyto see everything.
It was just so exciting, likeit really just opened our eyes.
So we have so much to do here,so well and travel kind of.
Judy Oskam (12:36):
Does that for you, doesn't it?
Grace White (12:37):
I mean, if you can be open to travel and you can
realize that, oh, a wrong turnmight lead you to a right path,
if you will right I know that weanticipated mistakes and like
bumps in the road, um, but Iwasn't anticipating how much,
but I was so happy that we hadthose mistakes because it was
such a bonding moment too.
(12:57):
Like, yeah, um, yoali Allisonand I, we that's how we bonded
we were on that bus for like anhour and we just talked and
talked, and talked and we'relike we just met each other like
20 minutes ago and so we, welike, now have this bond and
we've done the same thing wherewe've gotten on the wrong thing,
but now we're here, and wemight as well walk, so it's just
been super fun to like havethose kind of mistakes, but
you're doing it with people,right?
Judy Oskam (13:19):
it's so fun actually , and people you get to go home
with and be friends with yeahand I kind of forget that we're
all Texas State students.
Grace White (13:27):
I'm like, wait, we're all gonna be.
Judy Oskam (13:28):
I together anyway.
Well, here you're allinternational students, so you
really are internationalstudents representing your
country, but also Texas StateUniversity.
So that must feel kind ofspecial in a way, doesn't it?
The first ones, too, in thiscampus.
Grace White (13:43):
Yeah, I was not aware that we were the first
ones.
So now we're like this is socool.
We need to tell people about it.
Judy Oskam (13:48):
Yes, you're kind of starting the trend there and
moving forward.
But well, what would yourecommend to someone who might
be thinking about study abroadsometime in their college career
?
They don't know where.
We have so many programs righton campus.
What would you recommend?
Grace White (14:03):
I would say like, do it, no matter like who you
are as a person, like there areso many types of activities and
so many types of, um, differentprograms that you can look into.
And I am the kind of personthat, like I was really not
gonna do it.
And then I'm like, no, likemaybe I'll try it and I'll see
if I do the application andeverything.
And I'm like just so proud thatI have done that and you're
(14:26):
gonna be proud of yourself.
And, um, I've never been toEurope before.
So I'm like, is this a goodidea?
Like I'm gonna be alone, butnot really alone.
So I don't really know, and Ianticipated if I hadn't really
clicked with anyone, like I waslike, okay, well, I'll do solo
and I'll learn from myself likehow to navigate a new
environment.
And, um, it's such a like aprideful thing now that I've
(14:49):
been able to to navigate.
And I think that everyone, nomatter like who you are, how
extroverted, introverted you are, it is such a learning
opportunity and if you arenervous about making friends,
like you will make friends.
Like there's no way that you'renot gonna experience this with
other people and not makefriends so it's, it's really
like honestly, in everyone'sbest interests, and the the
(15:12):
money aspect is always you gottasave, you gotta save that money
.
It is expensive, it is expensive, but also the fact that this
was the most affordable programwas in its favor, and I was
really excited about thatbecause I was like well, now I
can worry about other thingswith this money that I had
thought I needed for such anextreme travel yeah.
Judy Oskam (15:34):
And there are scholarships available.
Yes, there are scholarships,you just have to apply.
Some students don't apply.
Grace White (15:38):
Yeah, so it's been very helpful our little canvas
site, have the site with allthe different notifications of
scholarships as well, so Ilooked into those as well.
Judy Oskam (15:50):
Yeah, Emma's done a great job on that.
She's done a super.
So you're going to go back toTexas and it's going to be hot,
we know that.
But how are you going to dothings differently?
Are you going to do anythingdifferently when you're there?
What are you taking back, is myquestion.
Grace White (16:09):
I think I am definitely taking.
Just being solo is totally okayand doing things like, just
like whatever I did back in mytime being solo, but asking
people to do things with me.
I think it's been such a funopportunity to navigate this
(16:33):
experience with other people andmeeting new personalities and
just everyone is a fun character, like they're all a lot of
characters in our class a lot ofcharacters, but I think that's
been a really cool thing.
That coming back to Texas Stateis like just being so much more
open minded with who you'remeeting and I really didn't know
if I was going to meet allthese people and have such a
(16:56):
bond, all these people and havesuch a bond.
So I think, being moreopen-minded to everyone and my
peers and just doing some funthings in Texas State with the
activities Honestly just goingto a football game with them-
Joining, say yes, joining sayingyes, doing everything.
I love it.
Life is too short.
Life is too short, you'reexactly right.
(17:18):
It's like one in.
Judy Oskam (17:18):
Rome.
It's your life, yes, it's yourlife.
So it is what you make it right.
Well, we're here to help you dothat.
So that's fantastic.
It's been fun, it's been great.
Thanks so much for joining uson Stories of Change and
Creativity, Scotland edition.
If you enjoyed this episode, besure and follow the podcast and
(17:40):
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.
Grace White (00:58):
Hi, I'm Grace White .
I just finished my freshmanyear at Texas State.
I am majoring in publicrelations and I have yet to
declare my minor.
But I am on the process oftrying to really figure out
what's best for me and my bestroute.
But I'm really looking at allof the options so I'm not very
particular yet I'm reallyinterested in some of the
(01:21):
classes that I've been seeingthrough each minor.
So that's kind of been my nextstep in my process, but I'm
really enjoying my time here.
Judy Oskam (01:31):
Good, Well, tell me let's kind of start there why
did you pick this educationabroad trip?
Grace White (01:37):
Well, actually you came to the Mass Comm class.
Judy Oskam (01:41):
Oh, Lori Fluker's class.
Dr Fluker, yes.
Grace White (01:44):
I was a friend in that class, um, that I like had
just met and we were listeningto it and like your kind of
pitch on it, I was like honestly, this could be so cool.
But I definitely have a bit ofimposter syndrome so I was like
I don't know if I'm quality.
I don't know if I can do this,like I'm a freshman, like sure
and I was like it's probably forolder students and I didn
(02:04):
didn't really know exactly.
But I was like I don't, I don'tknow what the best route is.
And then I'm thinking and I'mlooking at like my itinerary,
kind of, for what classes I needto start taking for my
sophomore year.
I'm like, oh, like, this is aclass for my sophomore year,
maybe I should just try to do it.
And so I looked into it alittle more, but your pitch was
(02:25):
really what got me in it.
Judy Oskam (02:27):
I'm not fishing for a compliment here.
Grace White (02:29):
But it was really interesting.
I also really liked the idea ofit was a three week program.
I honestly did not know.
The other programs were shorterthan this.
I thought this was like, oh, atleast it's not a semester.
That was my biggest thing oflike staying in San Marcos and
being closer to my family inAustin and my friends and my
(02:50):
life at home is like a reallybig thing.
So I was nervous to even lookat if there was anything
remotely longer than a threeweek program.
So I was really interestedbecause of that.
Judy Oskam (03:03):
OK, oh, that's good, that's good.
Well, and Scotland?
So tell me, what has have youbeen surprised about Scotland?
What's been the?
Grace White (03:15):
most interesting, surprising for you, I think.
Even though we were kind ofalready told some of the things,
I'm still so surprised, likeeven like just from the weather,
like the weather has been asuper big thing, but I think
everything I was reallyexpecting a little more cold
interactions with locals,because that's like one thing I
(03:36):
feel like has been a big stigmais just American visitors from
different areas anywhere andjust kind of getting the cold
shoulder sometimes.
So I was nervous about that.
But everyone here is so sweet,so nice, like it's just.
I know it's their job half ofthe time, but just the way they
like to make you feel welcome isjust so like.
Judy Oskam (03:59):
I just feel so happy to be here and so sad to leave.
Well, I know, and we're in ourlast week yes, we are.
And you guys have done for theclass.
We've done some mini projectsand you've actually gotten out
and done some public relationsand you've been involved with
the local community.
You've met with businesses andyou've talked to them about
public relations and whatthey're doing and I'm so proud
(04:20):
of you guys for doing that.
I'm so proud of you guys fordoing that.
Grace White (04:22):
I'm very happy that I've I'm proud of myself yeah.
I've been able to do thatbecause I am a bit more on the
timid side back home.
So it's been really great tolike open up and like get on my
shell a little, because that waslike my biggest thing, was like
a little nervous to eveninteract with my peers and I
didn't really know them as well,so that was a big thing.
But the local communities arelike amazing.
(04:43):
They I didn't really know themas well, so that was a big thing
.
But the local communities arelike amazing, they're so nice.
The person, the shop owner thatwe interviewed, allison and I
we love him, like he is the best, and we were so sad when he was
on holiday but coming back hewas so talkative to us and he
still really like likes tointeract and it wasn't just a
one-time thing.
He really like clearly caresabout his community, even if we
(05:05):
were just here for three weeks.
Judy Oskam (05:06):
The pizzeria right.
Is that what you did?
The Italian shop At the?
Grace White (05:09):
end of the history.
He's so nice, so definitelyit's been.
It's been great to feel welcomeNice.
Judy Oskam (05:17):
Well, and, and you've lived in the dorm, but
you guys have had you havesingle rooms.
So you guys have had you havesingle rooms.
Yes, so you have a private room, but then you share a kitchen.
Has there been much cookingthere or some?
Yes, I mean, the fridges arepretty full.
Grace White (05:30):
Yeah, okay, good, there have been some things I
have been like I'd rather spendmy time walking somewhere and
going outside, so I've been onpre-made lunches or just like
getting something quick to eat.
But also I'm still kind of inmy freshman eating phase where I
just can grab anything I findRight, so I haven't been super
(05:53):
like needing to picky aboutthings.
Yeah, I'm happy for anything,nice, nice but yeah, the the
solo rooms was a big factorbecause I um just came out of
the dorm living situation yes,so I'm very done that.
Yeah, so I was like I'm gonnaget spoiled here, like I'm so
excited in my own room, so thatwas a big factor as well, so I
(06:13):
was really happy about that nice, nice, and the shower is super
small, so small it's like's,like that's another thing.
Judy Oskam (06:21):
Yeah, that's beautiful though.
Well, and you know how do youthink this experience has
changed you?
What are you going to go backand do differently?
Do you have any new habits thatyou're going to start and do
differently?
Grace White (06:34):
I think like not say no as much anymore.
Oh, I love that, I feel like Iwas very in my shell and very
quiet and I did not really havemany friends from Texas State
specifically.
I kind of struggled in thatarea.
I excelled more academicallythe first year, which I'm
honestly very shocked by butalso proud of.
Judy Oskam (06:56):
So sure that was my, and you should be.
Grace White (06:58):
Thank you you yes, yeah, so that was my big thing
was like, okay, well, I have afooting on my academic aspects
now.
So I was like I really do needto like push myself and do
something like this.
And I think even the fact thatwe all knew we're all going to
be stuck together for threeweeks, like we should build
these bonds together, and now,like these people that I've met,
like I, we're so excited to seeeach other in Texas State.
Judy Oskam (07:21):
Now that's going to be so fun.
Grace White (07:22):
Yeah, we're so excited to go to football games
now together and like buildthese connections and bonds, and
even one of us we were talkingabout, like maybe we'll be
roommates- you could roommate,yeah, so we're so excited about
that.
So I'm really happy.
I feel like that's been.
My biggest thing is I'veactually met people that can be
lifelong friends if we reallyput that effort into, and I'm
just really excited to be backhome to do that, but yeah,
(07:44):
saying no, just just trying tobe out there more.
I love that yeah, I was talkingto my friends back home.
They're like yeah, you've beenreally out and about.
Judy Oskam (07:51):
I'm like I know this is new for me, so yeah, yeah.
Well, part of the assignmenthas been to do some social media
, and you've actually done that,for your client has been queen
margaret university, so you guyshave kind of had a little taste
of that yeah, jim is supposedto upload ours soon oh nice,
nice 24 hour life yes, it's likehere, but yes, we're very
(08:13):
excited well, and and living inthe dorm and yet, being a part
of uh, connected to a big cityedinburgh is a huge city and
what have you?
what are some tourist thingsthat you've done and things that
you've seen that you wouldrecommend for someone traveling
over here?
Grace White (08:33):
we've really tried to hit everything, like the
first week it was like 25 000steps a day day like running,
running, running.
But the sites are beautiful.
So just we were walking on theRoyal Mile, which is such a
tourist spot, but it's so meantto be.
Judy Oskam (08:49):
Iconic.
It's so iconic it really is.
Grace White (08:51):
And so all of the streets kind of sprout out from
the Royal Mile.
So we did a lot of that.
Where we found some shops,either on tiktok or just like
from recommendations and what wewill like, map it to that spot
and then from there we just walk.
So we were walking everywhere.
But victoria street is superfun, but there's also other
streets, even like closer to thewaverly uh train station, and
(09:14):
we will walk that, and there arelike this like jurassic park
bar or something like that.
So we're just like wait, that'scool so we start walking all the
way down.
So we've been just like reallywandering.
But it's so close to, like, thecentral area of Edinburgh and,
um, we also have done Dean'sVillage, looking at the sites,
like that, it's just so nice tosee.
(09:36):
But, um, we loved Calton Hillspecifically.
We've been there probably themost out of anything else and
I've seen some things on my likefor you page from locals saying
like if you, you should doArthur's Seat, but you don't
have to do it every night, likeyou should go to Calton Hill,
which is like, arguably likeeight minutes from the train
(09:57):
station and it's less of a hikeand it's a beautiful view,
arguably maybe better, um,seeing the town, seeing the city
, um, and watching the sunsetfrom there, and the sunsets have
been so beautiful I saw some ofyour posts on that.
It's so pretty it's so prettyand we can like bring a little
snack and we'll eat there.
So we've been really liketrying to see the sites, the
(10:18):
most.
And even like just fromPrince's Garden.
That's been beautiful and theview to the castle there is
arguably maybe better than evenjust going into the castle, just
seeing and imagining all ofthat?
Judy Oskam (10:34):
Yeah, exactly.
Grace White (10:35):
Imagining and we did do the castle, but I think
most of us can say that the viewfrom outside of it, looking at
it, has been like extraordinaryto look at.
So we've just done a lot of thewalks.
Has been the big thing.
But, Prince's Garden is justprobably one of the best.
Judy Oskam (10:51):
And the train.
Everyone loves the train.
It's so easy Six minutes intoEdinburgh from the campus.
Grace White (10:58):
Yeah, it's been pretty straightforward with the
train experience.
I think, honestly, the firsttime we ever had gone on the
train was the first day that wegot there and it was just my
little group of three and it washonestly like the biggest
culture shock was getting onthat train and we were during
(11:19):
like rush hour for sure, and wedid not know and everyone was
just so lively and chatty andeveryone was wearing like
something different and we werelooking at everyone and we're
just quiet, like we were quietthe entire ride.
And we're just like, oh my gosh,like we can't believe we're
here, like this is crazy, and itwas like everyone was kind of
chatting with each other, eventhough they weren't in the same
(11:40):
parties, and so that was reallycool very friendly, very
friendly and like welcoming andso that was really cool to like
just see that.
And then the rest of the trainrides have been a little more
like relaxed and chill, and sowe've seen like different sides
of each like transportation yeah, yeah, and the buses are
another opportunity.
Judy Oskam (11:59):
You just have to make sure I got on the wrong bus
.
Oh, we, yeah, we did thatliterally the first.
Grace White (12:04):
We were waiting for our rooms and we get there and
we take the wrong.
We did not understand that wehad to be on the right side of
the road and we just decided totake a little just jump on that
bus tour to all throughedinburgh and we made it to the
very end of where the Highlandcows are.
Judy Oskam (12:21):
Oh my gosh.
Grace White (12:21):
So we went all the way through, and then we kind of
went all the way back, and soit was a mistake, but a happy
mistake yes, we were very happyto see everything.
It was just so exciting, likeit really just opened our eyes.
So we have so much to do here,so well and travel kind of.
Judy Oskam (12:36):
Does that for you, doesn't it?
Grace White (12:37):
I mean, if you can be open to travel and you can
realize that, oh, a wrong turnmight lead you to a right path,
if you will right I know that weanticipated mistakes and like
bumps in the road, um, but Iwasn't anticipating how much,
but I was so happy that we hadthose mistakes because it was
such a bonding moment too.
(12:57):
Like, yeah, um, yoali Allisonand I, we that's how we bonded
we were on that bus for like anhour and we just talked and
talked, and talked and we'relike we just met each other like
20 minutes ago and so we, welike, now have this bond and
we've done the same thing wherewe've gotten on the wrong thing,
but now we're here, and wemight as well walk, so it's just
been super fun to like havethose kind of mistakes, but
you're doing it with people,right?
Judy Oskam (13:19):
it's so fun actually , and people you get to go home
with and be friends with yeahand I kind of forget that we're
all Texas State students.
Grace White (13:27):
I'm like, wait, we're all gonna be.
Judy Oskam (13:28):
I together anyway.
Well, here you're allinternational students, so you
really are internationalstudents representing your
country, but also Texas StateUniversity.
So that must feel kind ofspecial in a way, doesn't it?
The first ones, too, in thiscampus.
Grace White (13:43):
Yeah, I was not aware that we were the first
ones.
So now we're like this is socool.
We need to tell people about it.
Judy Oskam (13:48):
Yes, you're kind of starting the trend there and
moving forward.
But well, what would yourecommend to someone who might
be thinking about study abroadsometime in their college career
?
They don't know where.
We have so many programs righton campus.
What would you recommend?
Grace White (14:03):
I would say like, do it, no matter like who you
are as a person, like there areso many types of activities and
so many types of, um, differentprograms that you can look into.
And I am the kind of personthat, like I was really not
gonna do it.
And then I'm like, no, likemaybe I'll try it and I'll see
if I do the application andeverything.
And I'm like just so proud thatI have done that and you're
(14:26):
gonna be proud of yourself.
And, um, I've never been toEurope before.
So I'm like, is this a goodidea?
Like I'm gonna be alone, butnot really alone.
So I don't really know, and Ianticipated if I hadn't really
clicked with anyone, like I waslike, okay, well, I'll do solo
and I'll learn from myself likehow to navigate a new
environment.
And, um, it's such a like aprideful thing now that I've
(14:49):
been able to to navigate.
And I think that everyone, nomatter like who you are, how
extroverted, introverted you are, it is such a learning
opportunity and if you arenervous about making friends,
like you will make friends.
Like there's no way that you'renot gonna experience this with
other people and not makefriends so it's, it's really
like honestly, in everyone'sbest interests, and the the
(15:12):
money aspect is always you gottasave, you gotta save that money
.
It is expensive, it is expensive, but also the fact that this
was the most affordable programwas in its favor, and I was
really excited about thatbecause I was like well, now I
can worry about other thingswith this money that I had
thought I needed for such anextreme travel yeah.
Judy Oskam (15:34):
And there are scholarships available.
Yes, there are scholarships,you just have to apply.
Some students don't apply.
Grace White (15:38):
Yeah, so it's been very helpful our little canvas
site, have the site with allthe different notifications of
scholarships as well, so Ilooked into those as well.
Judy Oskam (15:50):
Yeah, Emma's done a great job on that.
She's done a super.
So you're going to go back toTexas and it's going to be hot,
we know that.
But how are you going to dothings differently?
Are you going to do anythingdifferently when you're there?
What are you taking back, is myquestion.
Grace White (16:09):
I think I am definitely taking.
Just being solo is totally okayand doing things like, just
like whatever I did back in mytime being solo, but asking
people to do things with me.
I think it's been such a funopportunity to navigate this
(16:33):
experience with other people andmeeting new personalities and
just everyone is a fun character, like they're all a lot of
characters in our class a lot ofcharacters, but I think that's
been a really cool thing.
That coming back to Texas Stateis like just being so much more
open minded with who you'remeeting and I really didn't know
if I was going to meet allthese people and have such a
(16:56):
bond, all these people and havesuch a bond.
So I think, being moreopen-minded to everyone and my
peers and just doing some funthings in Texas State with the
activities Honestly just goingto a football game with them-
Joining, say yes, joining sayingyes, doing everything.
I love it.
Life is too short.
Life is too short, you'reexactly right.
(17:18):
It's like one in.
Judy Oskam (17:18):
Rome.
It's your life, yes, it's yourlife.
So it is what you make it right.
Well, we're here to help you dothat.
So that's fantastic.
It's been fun, it's been great.
Thanks so much for joining uson Stories of Change and
Creativity, Scotland edition.
If you enjoyed this episode, besure and follow the podcast and
(17:40):
give us a like and a review.
It really helps more listenersdiscover these inspiring stories
.
Thanks for listening.
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