Guardian Scholars Fund

I have many incredible memories, but I think one of my favorite memories, while it certainly wasn’t a favorite at the time, but looking back it has become one, is when I first arrived in Edinburgh. All the roads were completely closed for the Queen’s funeral procession, so the cab that I had hired to help me get to my accommodation was only able to take me about a ¼ of the way. He politely told me in a thick Scottish accent that I was going to have to walk my luggage up a massive hill and two very steep flights of stairs, which I then did. This is one of my favorite memories because I believe that it set the tone for the rest of my study abroad. I found myself alone in a foreign country ready to make it work and take any hijinks in stride. 

I think the most personally significant thing that I learned about the world was that while people come from all over and have different beliefs and occupy their own corners of the world, fundamentally people are incredibly open and kind. I found that even when I was not similar to people or did not agree with them, there was still a channel of understanding. It reminded me upon my return home to be more open to new experiences and the unexpected and to not be so hasty to judge others.