June 24, 2025 • 21 mins
What’s it like to leave the U.S. for the first time and study in a new country? In this short series I'm highlighting our Texas State University education abroad program in Scotland. Students and faculty spent three weeks living and working on the campus of Queen Margaret University, near Edinburgh, Scotland. Join me as I sit down with students, faculty, and local professionals to capture their stories.
Tori, a sophomore advertising major, shares her journey as a first-time international traveler. From navigating airports solo to building confidence through creative PR projects with local Scottish businesses, Tori’s experience shows how studying abroad can transform your perspective—and your future.
Tune in to hear how Tori made meaningful connections and gained real-world skills that go beyond the classroom.
Key Takeaways:
- Study abroad builds independence and resilience
- Tips for navigating cultural differences and public transportation
- The impact of working on real PR projects in a global setting
- Creating connections through collaborative, creative student work
- Making meaningful connections with classmates through projects like her National Gallery photography series
- Finding confidence in a new environment where Tori could define herself without preconceptions
- Discovering confidence and community in a new environment
You can learn more about our summer Texas State University Edinburgh program here.
Hi Friend - If you’re enjoying Stories of Change and Creativity, make sure to follow, rate, and leave a 5-star review—it helps more people discover the show.
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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.
Tori (00:59):
So I'm Tori.
I'm going to be a sophomorenext year, so yeah.
Advertising and studies inpopular culture what a great
combination right greatcombination, so fun.
Judy Oskam (01:11):
Well, Tori, tell us about why.
Why did you choose this studyabroad program?
okay.
So I was in fluker's class myfirst semester and you would
come in and you would talk to usabout it and a I just like fell
in love with you, basically.
And I also had a friendsituational friend in that class
(01:33):
and she was obsessed with HarryPotter.
So I was like, oh, we can gotogether.
That would be so cool, it'd beso fun.
So I went home, I talked to myparents, I looked over
everything, made sure they wouldbe able to afford it and
registered like right then andthere.
And then I text my friend a fewdays later.
She's like oh yeah, I'm notdoing that, but it worked out
really well for me.
My parents were very upset thatI got to come to Europe before
(01:56):
them.
Oh no, oh no.
Well, talk a little bit abouthow you have experienced
Scotland.
Talk a little bit about how youhave experienced Scotland.
Tori (02:05):
It's been so fun.
My least favorite thing aboutthis is definitely the hills.
Texas State did not prepare mefor that, but it's been amazing.
I love the weather, even therain I got absolutely pelted by
rain yesterday, yeah, and thepeople are so nice.
The campus is great, even whenthe beds kind of suck well, what
(02:28):
have you learned about yourself?
Judy Oskam (02:29):
you've put yourself in a new culture, a new, a new
country, same language, but whathave you learned about yourself
so this is my.
Tori (02:36):
Actually it was actually my first time both flying alone
and flying out of the countryand my parents were so anxious
they were watching me while Iwas in line to go through the
TSA.
They were watching me from themezzanine freaking out, but I
did fine.
My dad used to work for Unitedbefore it was United and he was
(03:00):
like I was impressed by how wellyou did that.
So honestly, that was probablythe hardest part about being
here was just getting here.
Getting used to Scotland andthe culture was really easy.
I'll say it's a littleexpensive but it was really easy
to get used to.
Judy Oskam (03:18):
Yeah, yeah.
Well, what did you learn whenyou did get on that plane by
yourself and you did, you didnavigate all of that?
What did it tell you aboutyourself?
Tori (03:26):
I feel like I've learned how resilient I can be.
It's definitely it's beeninteresting.
I only really came here knowingJamin and even that was like
didn't really know him, I justbumped into him a few times.
So I've definitely made somefriends here, like Ava and
Angie-- love them so much.
I'll be keeping in touch, forsure, and it just it showed me
(03:49):
that I am capable a lot morethan I thought I would.
Yes, especially by myself.
I'm an independent person.
However, I'm not used tonavigating things on my own.
Judy Oskam (04:00):
Well, you've really done some great project work,
thank you.
And in here, part of one of theprojects that the class has
done is you've worked in teamsand you've gone out in the
community and kind of exploredhow public relations works at a
small business or talk aboutwhat that experience was like.
Tori (04:20):
So I think it's definitely been fun, especially
because in the two groupprojects I'm the only person
that's changed groups, so it'sbeen fun getting to work with
them and getting to go out andinterview people the good, the
bad and the ugly, all of it.
People are a lot more eager tosay no here.
Judy Oskam (04:36):
Yes.
Tori (04:37):
It's fine, it's just an adjustment.
The first project was reallyfun.
We actually got to go out andtalk to a business owner and she
was the sweetest person I'veever met.
If you haven't gone, definitelygo to that cafe, um, but that
was really fun.
It was interesting to learn alot more about PR.
I definitely didn't know muchabout it to begin with.
(04:58):
This was just like oh, I'll gotoward my major right and it'll
count.
It'll be fun, yeah be inScotland for three weeks, why
not?
Yeah, um, and then the secondproject.
It was a lot more difficult.
Like you've been very hands-offwith us, you just want us to
learn by teaching ourselves,which is great.
I think that's awesome and it'sallowed us to explore more of
(05:20):
PR and understand better, likewhat it actually is.
Judy Oskam (05:25):
Yeah, what about the independence that you've had
here?
Because to me this is more likea we're teaching class on
another campus and then you'reliving your life outside of the
class, just like you would inSan Marcos.
How has that?
Tori (05:40):
been.
It's been really cool.
I love, love, love the trainsand the buses.
I wish that we were that goodwith our public transportation.
I've done it a few times myself.
I've caught the last train justbarely.
I really like that part of it.
The living by myself isn'tanything new.
Like last year, I had tworoommates, I was in Blanco, so
(06:03):
we have three people in one room, but even then it was like I
was still very independent, butI made friends that way, so that
wasn't difficult, necessarily.
Yeah, um, as far as theindependence here, it was like
just learning.
All of the outlets have theirown switches.
You have to turn the oven on.
(06:24):
Yes, yes, yes, um, that part'sbeen really fun.
I like that we get to spend somuch time in the city.
I'm more of a home party, so Idefinitely have spent a lot of
time here too, which isn't badit's a beautiful campus,
beautiful, a lot of natureeverywhere, yeah yeah,
Judy Oskam (06:46):
Yeah, and it made me wonder.
Oh, my goodness what's going on.
Tori (06:50):
I know that a lot of people have been going out a lot
already, which isn't my scene.
What's been the favorite placethat you've been?
honestly, I really loved going to the Holyrood palace.
(07:12):
I found that a lot moreinteresting than the castle,
just because there was a lotmore history we actually got to
see and it was still in use, soit was still had all the
decorations and everything thatwe got to see.
Also really enjoyed the bustour yesterday which you told us
about.
Yeah, yeah it was a littleexpensive but honestly I felt
(07:34):
like it was the cheapest way tosee that much of scotland and I
wouldn't I wouldn't have goneout otherwise, and I kind of
thought that it was just goingto be me and Ava, maybe Jamin
and I was waiting outsideyesterday morning for everyone
to hop outside and I was like,oh, there's six of us.
Judy Oskam (07:49):
Oh good, yeah good, and and that was the Highlands
tour, where you went out to theHighlands and Loch Ness and Loch
Ness and you saw the HarryPotter, yeah thing, yeah that
was really the the train.
Tori (08:00):
Ava and I were sitting together and she was so excited.
Judy Oskam (08:04):
That's good.
Well, you know, when you're onan experience like this, you get
the chance to and I told youguys this in the beginning you
get to be whoever you want to bein this new country.
You're not bringing baggagewith you.
Yeah, how has?
Tori (08:17):
that been.
It's been fun.
I will say I've had a few likecommunication issues back at
home with my partner.
But aside from that it's beenkind of weird, like my mom wants
to talk every day but there'ssome days that I don't have
anything to tell her and I'vetold my dad.
Judy Oskam (08:35):
That's how we are.
Moms are like that.
That's how we are.
Tori (08:40):
Yeah, it's been.
It's been really cool and wejoked at the beginning of the
trip like, oh, where are yougonna be from on this trip?
Yeah, yeah, oh, it's just, it'sbeen really cool getting to
separate myself from who I am athome because, again, I am very
much a homebody.
I don't have a lot of friends,so being able to like put myself
out there more, like I'm tryingI'm still trying to learn
(09:01):
everyone's names and we are onthe last week.
Yes, like I don't have to.
Judy Oskam (09:06):
I can do it, you can do it.
Tori (09:07):
That's why I have friends with everyone, but I don't want
to not know them exactly,exactly, and that's been really
interesting because I will begoing back knowing more people
than I came here with andknowing that PR might not be
what I want to do, but Iunderstand it.
(09:29):
And back at home I'm actuallyhelping a family friend like
start not necessarily start abusiness, and it's kind of like
an MLM.
She's trying to create her ownbrand within it.
I'm learning a lot about thatto go back and help her good.
So, like when Nadia was showingus her website on Canva, I was
(09:49):
like, oh my gosh, show me how todo that right.
I can show her how to do itexactly.
And it's just, it's been a lotof fun.
Judy Oskam (09:55):
That's good.
Well, you have a real gooddesign.
Look, you have a real good.
Your Instagram is a real goodaesthetic when you post some
things.
I don't know about that, butyou have a good idea, like what
you did at the National Gallery.
Oh, I loved that.
That was a great idea.
Tori (10:13):
Talk about that idea so I did a quote unquote study of
beautiful women at the NationalGallery.
And I was just taking a bunch ofpictures of some of the girls
that I've met on the trip in ourclass, outside of our class,
and a bunch of the absolutelystunning portraits that are in
(10:36):
there.
And it was nice because it wasthe first week we had barely met
each other and I was able tojust go up to people that I
recognized and be like, hey, doyou want to be part of this?
And I feel like that was reallyspecial to make them feel
beautiful, make them feelincluded.
Yeah, and I got to meet a fewmore people and get closer with
people.
That was kind of my first timetalking to Angie and Ava, yeah,
(10:57):
yeah, so it was just.
It was really fun to be able tointeract with more people, to
see so much art.
I even got a picture of youwhich I was so excited to get.
Judy Oskam (11:06):
I was honored to be asked.
Tori (11:08):
I was so excited for that .
It was fun.
And then just to be able tocome back and compile everything
and I remember trying to likeget everyone's Instagrams to be
able to tag them.
And one of the girls from theother class was like hey, just
wanted to ask, is there anyorder?
Or like, did you choosespecifically where everyone was
going to go?
And I was like, oh my gosh,please don't feel insulted, it
was literally just wherever youfit in, right right, so right.
(11:33):
So do you think that being in anew place, a new country, a new
campus, do you think it makesyou more confident or more ready
to take a chance?
I would say so.
I would say so.
This is definitely anopportunity that I just jump on
(11:53):
and I feel like I definitelysecond thought a lot before,
especially in the two weeksleading up, because I was going
back to work during the summer,I had my old job and my boss
didn't realize that I still hadthat last week to work.
I was like, hey, why am I onlyworking for one week and then
(12:14):
I'll be gone for a month, and itwas just.
It was really uncomfortable,kind of having that conversation
with him and then thinking tomyself, should I?
Should I stay?
Should I try to work to buildup my savings more?
Should I go?
this is a really greatopportunity that I'm probably
never going to get again, and soyou really thought about not
(12:36):
going at the last minute.
I kind of did.
I was so anxious about it I andI didn't know anyone really.
Sure, Um, it was just and again, having three weeks for a class
was kind of overwhelming.
Judy Oskam (12:51):
I didn't know how hands on.
Tori (12:53):
We were going to be in class.
Judy Oskam (12:54):
Sure.
Tori (12:55):
And you know I said a few times I'm a homebody and I knew
that there were going to bepeople a I don't have the
stamina for that and b I don'thave the money for that right.
So it's been really nice to beable to just stay behind
sometimes be by myself.
Campus stay on campus in thisgorgeous weather.
So there's been.
(13:16):
There's been some times thatI've second thought it,
especially like when I waspacking, when I was on the way
to the airport.
I was up at like 5.30 in themorning before anyone else in my
family was.
I was taking my backpack, mycarry-on, into the bathroom, so
I didn't wake up my boyfriend.
(13:38):
And I went and I had to go stealthe scale from my parents'
bathroom.
Judy Oskam (13:42):
Oh, to weigh it, to weigh it, I was so anxious To
weigh it.
Oh my gosh.
And that's how I accidentallywoke up my parents, oh my gosh.
So now you made the decision.
You got on the plane you're here.
We're in the last week,
Tori (13:57):
It's honestly so sad, yeah, and there's a lot of
people that are staying longer,and I really wish that I could
yeah, well, next time, but nexttime.
Judy Oskam (14:05):
So when is the next time?
What are you going to do next?
I don't know.
Tori (14:08):
I really, I really wanted to go to London one weekend but
it just kind of kept fallingthrough and I just felt like you
know what?
It's not the right time it's adifferent trip.
Yeah, I'll come back with my mom, or?
right, my sister when she'solder, my boyfriend at some
point we'll come back and we'llbe able to enjoy it and make it
a little more financiallyeffective right, um, and it's
(14:31):
been.
It's been really cool, becauseI was a little upset that it
didn't happen the first weekend.
And then the second weekend,when we were talking about it
was like you know what, even ify'all go, I'm gonna stay behind.
I don't want to go right, Idon't want to stress over it,
sure, I just want to like havefun here and again.
my parents were a little bummedthat I was coming before them,
(14:55):
but I definitely think that itwill help them also.
Want to go?
Judy Oskam (15:00):
Yeah, and you can show them the way.
Yeah, exactly, I love that.
Tori (15:04):
And I remember saying at the end of the first week or the
beginning of the second I feellike I should be going home
right now.
I've never had a vacationlonger than a week, yeah, and
now being here for over twoweeks, it's definitely bed
different.
Judy Oskam (15:20):
Yeah, well, and going back now, are you going
back the same person?
How are you what's, what's Torilike now going back?
Tori (15:34):
I feel like I've definitely become more confident
and grown and matured a bitJust being surrounded by the
different personalities, gettingto understand a little bit more
about myself.
but you go back, and you go backand you take it with you you
know, and I think who you are iswhatever you want to be, right,
(15:56):
yeah.
And so I think you guys, thestudents in this class, you guys
have done some phenomenal workthat you probably don't even
realize how big a deal it isthat you've gone and you've
connected with business ownersand business managers and you've
talked to them, and getting outand doing that is a is really
(16:17):
fantastic.
I'm just so excited about youguys.
So I remember whenever we were interviewing Maggie and
your client, yeah, the client,the client um, and I was the
only one out of the three of usI wasn't really asking the
questions because I didn't havethem on me and I just remember
she kept looking toward me forthe for your question yes, no,
(16:39):
not even for my question.
She was looking at me when shewas answering.
Oh, because I feel like shefelt a lot more comfortable with
me because I was just sittingthere taking it in.
Yeah, and I wasn't harping on aconversation.
Judy Oskam (16:51):
Well, you were, you were there for the conversation,
maybe.
Tori (16:53):
Yeah, yeah, yeah and it was just, it was so interesting
to see that and understand thatkind of clued me in on their
culture, yeah, um, of how it'smore relaxed here, so she might
not have felt the mostcomfortable being asked so many
questions so suddenly, sure,which I understand.
(17:15):
Sure, I don't know that I wouldfeel comfortable with that
either, but it was nice tounderstand that like, oh, I am,
in a way, her comfort at themoment and and I feel like I'm
going to take that back with meand allow myself to just be the
comfort for some people.
Judy Oskam (17:34):
You connect very well with the content.
Tori (17:35):
You get it.
Judy Oskam (17:37):
You know your design work very well.
You might not give yourselfcredit for that, but you need to
.
You need to, you need tounderstand that.
Tori (17:58):
I'm just happy that I came here confident with Canva.
Judy Oskam (18:00):
Nice, nice, nice, nice.
Well, what advice would yougive other students that might
be on the edge of not going ornot taking that chance or taking
that trip?
Tori (18:11):
Just do it, you'll come back a better person.
Well, maybe not better, butyou'll come back a different
person and it's an experienceand there's no reason not to.
If you can do it, there's noreason not to.
Judy Oskam (18:27):
Yeah, if you can do it, there's no reason not to
yeah, yeah, and again, it's sucha, such a financial and a time
commitment and we do realizethat, but we hope to make it
worth your time and worth yourwhile, and I think that time and
that time and that travel, youcan never get it back.
Yeah, you know, you know.
Tori (18:46):
I remember whenever I was going at the very end of the
year, I had to go talk to thefinancial aid office.
Oh my goodness, I was sittingin there for like an hour and I
went and talked with someoneabout the scholarship that I had
gotten, because everyone Italked to said like, oh, you
need six hours to be eligible.
And no one could give me astraight answer.
(19:07):
And even the person that I wastalking to there was like oh
yeah, like you, if you don'ttake another class, you're not
eligible.
I was like okay, can I justdrop the scholarship so that I
don't have to pay back?
at some other point.
And then I remember getting theemail from Emma saying like oh,
we were notified that you'redropping in class.
I said, no, no, it's not what'shappening, please don't drop me
(19:30):
.
Yeah, and then she was able totell me like oh, no, you're,
you're good, this is theexemption.
And I was.
I feel like that was kind ofthe turning point in me being so
confident in coming.
I still questioned it a coupleof times when I was at home
finally by being able to saylike oh, this makes me a little
(19:51):
more financially confident thatI can go, because that's my
spending money, that's what I'mgoing to be living off of, right
.
Judy Oskam (19:56):
Right, right.
And also when you're out, youhave that experience to talk
about to employers.
You have that, that just thatworldview, that that is just so
important.
And we've had some goodspeakers in class.
Hopefully you've gained someinformation from the speakers
and you've done project work forfor the university as well.
Tori (20:18):
So that's been fun and even like for my scholarship.
I'm required to take picturesand I'm I've told y'all so many
times I'm not good about takingpictures.
I was relying on Jamin thatkind of first week and I was
like and I'm I've told y'all somany times I'm not good about
taking pictures.
I was relying on Jamin thatkind of first week and I was
like I just I need to take myown pictures.
So that's also made me a lotmore confident in that and like
in social media, because I havemade a few posts and it's just,
(20:41):
it's been really fun.
Judy Oskam (20:42):
Good, so well.
I'm excited you came.
Tori (20:45):
I'm so excited you came.
Judy Oskam (20:48):
I'm so excited you came.
Thanks so much for joining uson 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.
Tori (00:59):
So I'm Tori.
I'm going to be a sophomorenext year, so yeah.
Advertising and studies inpopular culture what a great
combination right greatcombination, so fun.
Judy Oskam (01:11):
Well, Tori, tell us about why.
Why did you choose this studyabroad program?
okay.
So I was in fluker's class myfirst semester and you would
come in and you would talk to usabout it and a I just like fell
in love with you, basically.
And I also had a friendsituational friend in that class
(01:33):
and she was obsessed with HarryPotter.
So I was like, oh, we can gotogether.
That would be so cool, it'd beso fun.
So I went home, I talked to myparents, I looked over
everything, made sure they wouldbe able to afford it and
registered like right then andthere.
And then I text my friend a fewdays later.
She's like oh yeah, I'm notdoing that, but it worked out
really well for me.
My parents were very upset thatI got to come to Europe before
(01:56):
them.
Oh no, oh no.
Well, talk a little bit abouthow you have experienced
Scotland.
Talk a little bit about how youhave experienced Scotland.
Tori (02:05):
It's been so fun.
My least favorite thing aboutthis is definitely the hills.
Texas State did not prepare mefor that, but it's been amazing.
I love the weather, even therain I got absolutely pelted by
rain yesterday, yeah, and thepeople are so nice.
The campus is great, even whenthe beds kind of suck well, what
(02:28):
have you learned about yourself?
Judy Oskam (02:29):
you've put yourself in a new culture, a new, a new
country, same language, but whathave you learned about yourself
so this is my.
Tori (02:36):
Actually it was actually my first time both flying alone
and flying out of the countryand my parents were so anxious
they were watching me while Iwas in line to go through the
TSA.
They were watching me from themezzanine freaking out, but I
did fine.
My dad used to work for Unitedbefore it was United and he was
(03:00):
like I was impressed by how wellyou did that.
So honestly, that was probablythe hardest part about being
here was just getting here.
Getting used to Scotland andthe culture was really easy.
I'll say it's a littleexpensive but it was really easy
to get used to.
Judy Oskam (03:18):
Yeah, yeah.
Well, what did you learn whenyou did get on that plane by
yourself and you did, you didnavigate all of that?
What did it tell you aboutyourself?
Tori (03:26):
I feel like I've learned how resilient I can be.
It's definitely it's beeninteresting.
I only really came here knowingJamin and even that was like
didn't really know him, I justbumped into him a few times.
So I've definitely made somefriends here, like Ava and
Angie-- love them so much.
I'll be keeping in touch, forsure, and it just it showed me
(03:49):
that I am capable a lot morethan I thought I would.
Yes, especially by myself.
I'm an independent person.
However, I'm not used tonavigating things on my own.
Judy Oskam (04:00):
Well, you've really done some great project work,
thank you.
And in here, part of one of theprojects that the class has
done is you've worked in teamsand you've gone out in the
community and kind of exploredhow public relations works at a
small business or talk aboutwhat that experience was like.
Tori (04:20):
So I think it's definitely been fun, especially
because in the two groupprojects I'm the only person
that's changed groups, so it'sbeen fun getting to work with
them and getting to go out andinterview people the good, the
bad and the ugly, all of it.
People are a lot more eager tosay no here.
Judy Oskam (04:36):
Yes.
Tori (04:37):
It's fine, it's just an adjustment.
The first project was reallyfun.
We actually got to go out andtalk to a business owner and she
was the sweetest person I'veever met.
If you haven't gone, definitelygo to that cafe, um, but that
was really fun.
It was interesting to learn alot more about PR.
I definitely didn't know muchabout it to begin with.
(04:58):
This was just like oh, I'll gotoward my major right and it'll
count.
It'll be fun, yeah be inScotland for three weeks, why
not?
Yeah, um, and then the secondproject.
It was a lot more difficult.
Like you've been very hands-offwith us, you just want us to
learn by teaching ourselves,which is great.
I think that's awesome and it'sallowed us to explore more of
(05:20):
PR and understand better, likewhat it actually is.
Judy Oskam (05:25):
Yeah, what about the independence that you've had
here?
Because to me this is more likea we're teaching class on
another campus and then you'reliving your life outside of the
class, just like you would inSan Marcos.
How has that?
Tori (05:40):
been.
It's been really cool.
I love, love, love the trainsand the buses.
I wish that we were that goodwith our public transportation.
I've done it a few times myself.
I've caught the last train justbarely.
I really like that part of it.
The living by myself isn'tanything new.
Like last year, I had tworoommates, I was in Blanco, so
(06:03):
we have three people in one room, but even then it was like I
was still very independent, butI made friends that way, so that
wasn't difficult, necessarily.
Yeah, um, as far as theindependence here, it was like
just learning.
All of the outlets have theirown switches.
You have to turn the oven on.
(06:24):
Yes, yes, yes, um, that part'sbeen really fun.
I like that we get to spend somuch time in the city.
I'm more of a home party, so Idefinitely have spent a lot of
time here too, which isn't badit's a beautiful campus,
beautiful, a lot of natureeverywhere, yeah yeah,
Judy Oskam (06:46):
Yeah, and it made me wonder.
Oh, my goodness what's going on.
Tori (06:50):
I know that a lot of people have been going out a lot
already, which isn't my scene.
What's been the favorite placethat you've been?
honestly, I really loved going to the Holyrood palace.
(07:12):
I found that a lot moreinteresting than the castle,
just because there was a lotmore history we actually got to
see and it was still in use, soit was still had all the
decorations and everything thatwe got to see.
Also really enjoyed the bustour yesterday which you told us
about.
Yeah, yeah it was a littleexpensive but honestly I felt
(07:34):
like it was the cheapest way tosee that much of scotland and I
wouldn't I wouldn't have goneout otherwise, and I kind of
thought that it was just goingto be me and Ava, maybe Jamin
and I was waiting outsideyesterday morning for everyone
to hop outside and I was like,oh, there's six of us.
Judy Oskam (07:49):
Oh good, yeah good, and and that was the Highlands
tour, where you went out to theHighlands and Loch Ness and Loch
Ness and you saw the HarryPotter, yeah thing, yeah that
was really the the train.
Tori (08:00):
Ava and I were sitting together and she was so excited.
Judy Oskam (08:04):
That's good.
Well, you know, when you're onan experience like this, you get
the chance to and I told youguys this in the beginning you
get to be whoever you want to bein this new country.
You're not bringing baggagewith you.
Yeah, how has?
Tori (08:17):
that been.
It's been fun.
I will say I've had a few likecommunication issues back at
home with my partner.
But aside from that it's beenkind of weird, like my mom wants
to talk every day but there'ssome days that I don't have
anything to tell her and I'vetold my dad.
Judy Oskam (08:35):
That's how we are.
Moms are like that.
That's how we are.
Tori (08:40):
Yeah, it's been.
It's been really cool and wejoked at the beginning of the
trip like, oh, where are yougonna be from on this trip?
Yeah, yeah, oh, it's just, it'sbeen really cool getting to
separate myself from who I am athome because, again, I am very
much a homebody.
I don't have a lot of friends,so being able to like put myself
out there more, like I'm tryingI'm still trying to learn
(09:01):
everyone's names and we are onthe last week.
Yes, like I don't have to.
Judy Oskam (09:06):
I can do it, you can do it.
Tori (09:07):
That's why I have friends with everyone, but I don't want
to not know them exactly,exactly, and that's been really
interesting because I will begoing back knowing more people
than I came here with andknowing that PR might not be
what I want to do, but Iunderstand it.
(09:29):
And back at home I'm actuallyhelping a family friend like
start not necessarily start abusiness, and it's kind of like
an MLM.
She's trying to create her ownbrand within it.
I'm learning a lot about thatto go back and help her good.
So, like when Nadia was showingus her website on Canva, I was
(09:49):
like, oh my gosh, show me how todo that right.
I can show her how to do itexactly.
And it's just, it's been a lotof fun.
Judy Oskam (09:55):
That's good.
Well, you have a real gooddesign.
Look, you have a real good.
Your Instagram is a real goodaesthetic when you post some
things.
I don't know about that, butyou have a good idea, like what
you did at the National Gallery.
Oh, I loved that.
That was a great idea.
Tori (10:13):
Talk about that idea so I did a quote unquote study of
beautiful women at the NationalGallery.
And I was just taking a bunch ofpictures of some of the girls
that I've met on the trip in ourclass, outside of our class,
and a bunch of the absolutelystunning portraits that are in
(10:36):
there.
And it was nice because it wasthe first week we had barely met
each other and I was able tojust go up to people that I
recognized and be like, hey, doyou want to be part of this?
And I feel like that was reallyspecial to make them feel
beautiful, make them feelincluded.
Yeah, and I got to meet a fewmore people and get closer with
people.
That was kind of my first timetalking to Angie and Ava, yeah,
(10:57):
yeah, so it was just.
It was really fun to be able tointeract with more people, to
see so much art.
I even got a picture of youwhich I was so excited to get.
Judy Oskam (11:06):
I was honored to be asked.
Tori (11:08):
I was so excited for that .
It was fun.
And then just to be able tocome back and compile everything
and I remember trying to likeget everyone's Instagrams to be
able to tag them.
And one of the girls from theother class was like hey, just
wanted to ask, is there anyorder?
Or like, did you choosespecifically where everyone was
going to go?
And I was like, oh my gosh,please don't feel insulted, it
was literally just wherever youfit in, right right, so right.
(11:33):
So do you think that being in anew place, a new country, a new
campus, do you think it makesyou more confident or more ready
to take a chance?
I would say so.
I would say so.
This is definitely anopportunity that I just jump on
(11:53):
and I feel like I definitelysecond thought a lot before,
especially in the two weeksleading up, because I was going
back to work during the summer,I had my old job and my boss
didn't realize that I still hadthat last week to work.
I was like, hey, why am I onlyworking for one week and then
(12:14):
I'll be gone for a month, and itwas just.
It was really uncomfortable,kind of having that conversation
with him and then thinking tomyself, should I?
Should I stay?
Should I try to work to buildup my savings more?
Should I go?
this is a really greatopportunity that I'm probably
never going to get again, and soyou really thought about not
(12:36):
going at the last minute.
I kind of did.
I was so anxious about it I andI didn't know anyone really.
Sure, Um, it was just and again, having three weeks for a class
was kind of overwhelming.
Judy Oskam (12:51):
I didn't know how hands on.
Tori (12:53):
We were going to be in class.
Judy Oskam (12:54):
Sure.
Tori (12:55):
And you know I said a few times I'm a homebody and I knew
that there were going to bepeople a I don't have the
stamina for that and b I don'thave the money for that right.
So it's been really nice to beable to just stay behind
sometimes be by myself.
Campus stay on campus in thisgorgeous weather.
So there's been.
(13:16):
There's been some times thatI've second thought it,
especially like when I waspacking, when I was on the way
to the airport.
I was up at like 5.30 in themorning before anyone else in my
family was.
I was taking my backpack, mycarry-on, into the bathroom, so
I didn't wake up my boyfriend.
(13:38):
And I went and I had to go stealthe scale from my parents'
bathroom.
Judy Oskam (13:42):
Oh, to weigh it, to weigh it, I was so anxious To
weigh it.
Oh my gosh.
And that's how I accidentallywoke up my parents, oh my gosh.
So now you made the decision.
You got on the plane you're here.
We're in the last week,
Tori (13:57):
It's honestly so sad, yeah, and there's a lot of
people that are staying longer,and I really wish that I could
yeah, well, next time, but nexttime.
Judy Oskam (14:05):
So when is the next time?
What are you going to do next?
I don't know.
Tori (14:08):
I really, I really wanted to go to London one weekend but
it just kind of kept fallingthrough and I just felt like you
know what?
It's not the right time it's adifferent trip.
Yeah, I'll come back with my mom, or?
right, my sister when she'solder, my boyfriend at some
point we'll come back and we'llbe able to enjoy it and make it
a little more financiallyeffective right, um, and it's
(14:31):
been.
It's been really cool, becauseI was a little upset that it
didn't happen the first weekend.
And then the second weekend,when we were talking about it
was like you know what, even ify'all go, I'm gonna stay behind.
I don't want to go right, Idon't want to stress over it,
sure, I just want to like havefun here and again.
my parents were a little bummedthat I was coming before them,
(14:55):
but I definitely think that itwill help them also.
Want to go?
Judy Oskam (15:00):
Yeah, and you can show them the way.
Yeah, exactly, I love that.
Tori (15:04):
And I remember saying at the end of the first week or the
beginning of the second I feellike I should be going home
right now.
I've never had a vacationlonger than a week, yeah, and
now being here for over twoweeks, it's definitely bed
different.
Judy Oskam (15:20):
Yeah, well, and going back now, are you going
back the same person?
How are you what's, what's Torilike now going back?
Tori (15:34):
I feel like I've definitely become more confident
and grown and matured a bitJust being surrounded by the
different personalities, gettingto understand a little bit more
about myself.
but you go back, and you go backand you take it with you you
know, and I think who you are iswhatever you want to be, right,
(15:56):
yeah.
And so I think you guys, thestudents in this class, you guys
have done some phenomenal workthat you probably don't even
realize how big a deal it isthat you've gone and you've
connected with business ownersand business managers and you've
talked to them, and getting outand doing that is a is really
(16:17):
fantastic.
I'm just so excited about youguys.
So I remember whenever we were interviewing Maggie and
your client, yeah, the client,the client um, and I was the
only one out of the three of usI wasn't really asking the
questions because I didn't havethem on me and I just remember
she kept looking toward me forthe for your question yes, no,
(16:39):
not even for my question.
She was looking at me when shewas answering.
Oh, because I feel like shefelt a lot more comfortable with
me because I was just sittingthere taking it in.
Yeah, and I wasn't harping on aconversation.
Judy Oskam (16:51):
Well, you were, you were there for the conversation,
maybe.
Tori (16:53):
Yeah, yeah, yeah and it was just, it was so interesting
to see that and understand thatkind of clued me in on their
culture, yeah, um, of how it'smore relaxed here, so she might
not have felt the mostcomfortable being asked so many
questions so suddenly, sure,which I understand.
(17:15):
Sure, I don't know that I wouldfeel comfortable with that
either, but it was nice tounderstand that like, oh, I am,
in a way, her comfort at themoment and and I feel like I'm
going to take that back with meand allow myself to just be the
comfort for some people.
Judy Oskam (17:34):
You connect very well with the content.
Tori (17:35):
You get it.
Judy Oskam (17:37):
You know your design work very well.
You might not give yourselfcredit for that, but you need to
.
You need to, you need tounderstand that.
Tori (17:58):
I'm just happy that I came here confident with Canva.
Judy Oskam (18:00):
Nice, nice, nice, nice.
Well, what advice would yougive other students that might
be on the edge of not going ornot taking that chance or taking
that trip?
Tori (18:11):
Just do it, you'll come back a better person.
Well, maybe not better, butyou'll come back a different
person and it's an experienceand there's no reason not to.
If you can do it, there's noreason not to.
Judy Oskam (18:27):
Yeah, if you can do it, there's no reason not to
yeah, yeah, and again, it's sucha, such a financial and a time
commitment and we do realizethat, but we hope to make it
worth your time and worth yourwhile, and I think that time and
that time and that travel, youcan never get it back.
Yeah, you know, you know.
Tori (18:46):
I remember whenever I was going at the very end of the
year, I had to go talk to thefinancial aid office.
Oh my goodness, I was sittingin there for like an hour and I
went and talked with someoneabout the scholarship that I had
gotten, because everyone Italked to said like, oh, you
need six hours to be eligible.
And no one could give me astraight answer.
(19:07):
And even the person that I wastalking to there was like oh
yeah, like you, if you don'ttake another class, you're not
eligible.
I was like okay, can I justdrop the scholarship so that I
don't have to pay back?
at some other point.
And then I remember getting theemail from Emma saying like oh,
we were notified that you'redropping in class.
I said, no, no, it's not what'shappening, please don't drop me
(19:30):
.
Yeah, and then she was able totell me like oh, no, you're,
you're good, this is theexemption.
And I was.
I feel like that was kind ofthe turning point in me being so
confident in coming.
I still questioned it a coupleof times when I was at home
finally by being able to saylike oh, this makes me a little
(19:51):
more financially confident thatI can go, because that's my
spending money, that's what I'mgoing to be living off of, right
.
Judy Oskam (19:56):
Right, right.
And also when you're out, youhave that experience to talk
about to employers.
You have that, that just thatworldview, that that is just so
important.
And we've had some goodspeakers in class.
Hopefully you've gained someinformation from the speakers
and you've done project work forfor the university as well.
Tori (20:18):
So that's been fun and even like for my scholarship.
I'm required to take picturesand I'm I've told y'all so many
times I'm not good about takingpictures.
I was relying on Jamin thatkind of first week and I was
like and I'm I've told y'all somany times I'm not good about
taking pictures.
I was relying on Jamin thatkind of first week and I was
like I just I need to take myown pictures.
So that's also made me a lotmore confident in that and like
in social media, because I havemade a few posts and it's just,
(20:41):
it's been really fun.
Judy Oskam (20:42):
Good, so well.
I'm excited you came.
Tori (20:45):
I'm so excited you came.
Judy Oskam (20:48):
I'm so excited you came.
Thanks so much for joining uson 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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