Blog: Summer in St. Andrews Scotland

This Summer I had the opportunity to study at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. Though this was not my first time abroad, it was my first time in Scotland. While I was here, I experienced many culture shocks that I would like to share. 

My first culture shock was the weather. I grew up in Washington, DC and our summers are unbearably hot. Temperatures reach up to 100 degrees fahrenheit. However, in Scotland, many locals shared that the warmest it got in the summer was 58 degrees fahrenheit. And that there summers were marked with cold and rain. While this was an adjustment, I enjoyed the weather as it was a nice break from the intense heat. 

Another culture shock I experienced was the language. The Scottish speak English, but have a deep accent. When I first arrived, it took me a minute to adjust my hearing. Additionally, they use terms that I was not familiar with. For example, cheers is commonly used as a greeting and brill means wonderful or great. 

I also was able to try new food while I was away. I tried traditional Scottish meals like Haggis and fish and chips, which were both delicious. I ate new desserts such as sticky toffee pudding. 

The people in Scotland were very friendly. Being from the East Coast and living near big cities like NYC or DC , the extreme friendliness Scottish people showed came as a surprise. That’s not to say Americans are not friendly, but I felt that the Scottish were on a different level. They welcomed us with warm hospitality and went to great measures to make us feel included. 

Finally, the last culture shock I’ll mention was the driving. I am used to driving on the right side of the road in America. When crossing the street, I would often look in the wrong direction and almost get in the way. And when I would ride the bus or in cars, the steering wheel would be on the opposite side. 

Overall, I greatly enjoyed my time in Scotland and am incredibly grateful I got to go. The skills and friendships I gained here will last me a lifetime. I hope that I continue to maintain the skills I learned while abroad.