Bella Norero- Blog Abroad
Blog #1
Before the official start of the program, I spent a week in London with another girl from the group. We squeezed a lot into that week; Big Ben, the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, the Tower Bridge, and tons of walking through the city. We tried local restaurants, explored bookstores, and got lost a couple of times trying to navigate the Underground. The Underground was definitely chaotic in the beginning, but by the end of the week, we were hopping on trains like pros. It was exciting and overwhelming all at once, and honestly, it helped ease me into the study abroad mindset. Then came the train ride from London to Glasgow, which turned out to be one of the most unexpectedly beautiful parts of the trip. I didn’t expect much from a long train ride, but I was completely glued to the window the whole time. We passed rolling green hills, little stone houses, open fields, rivers, and tons of sheep. It was so peaceful. I took a million videos, even though they all looked the same after a while; I just didn’t want to forget it. Arriving in Glasgow felt like a shift. It was less busy than London but still had a really good energy. We met up with the rest of the group at the dorms, got settled, and had our first group dinner that night. It was a little awkward at first, like any new group experience, but it was nice to finally be all together. Everyone was excited and a little nervous, but it helped knowing we were all figuring things out at the same time. Even though Scotland is an English-speaking country, I quickly noticed that the Scottish accent takes some getting used to. There were a few moments I had to ask people to repeat themselves. I also started catching onto common phrases like “wee” (small), “cheers” (thanks), and “knackered” (tired). Little things like that made it fun to settle in. The first few days were definitely a mix of excitement and adjustment. Everything felt unfamiliar, but in a good way. I was ready to explore, meet people, and make the most of my time in Scotland. July 2025
Blog #2
Getting around Scotland without a car was one of the biggest adjustments during my study abroad trip. Back home in New Mexico, I’m used to driving everywhere, so jumping into public transportation was totally new and honestly a little intimidating at first. But over time, it actually became one of my favorite parts of the whole experience. In Glasgow, I quickly learned that buses are the main way people get around the city, and I relied on the First Bus app every single day. This app was a lifesaver. It showed me which bus to take, exactly where to catch it, and even tracked my location so I wouldn’t miss my stop. Without it, I probably would’ve gotten lost more than once. There were moments when the bus would be crowded or a bit late, but I liked how it gave me a real feel for daily life in the city. Train travel was another big part of the trip. Our classes were split between Glasgow and Edinburgh, so I spent a lot of time on the trains traveling between the two cities. The rides were gorgeous; rolling green hills, farms, and tons of sheep scattered everywhere. I never got tired of just sitting by the window, listening to music, and soaking it all in. Edinburgh was a totally different vibe from Glasgow; more touristy and much busier. We spent a lot of time walking the Royal Mile, visiting Edinburgh Castle, and attending class at the Scottish Storytelling Centre. It was exciting but also a bit overwhelming at times, especially with so many tourists around. I’ll admit I was nervous about using public transportation before I left—what if I got lost, or didn’t know how to pay, or missed my stop? But once I got the hang of it, I felt so much more independent. It made me feel like I was really living in the city, not just visiting as a tourist. Plus, riding the bus and train helped me notice things I wouldn’t have if I’d just taken a taxi or driven. Figuring out buses and trains might seem small, but it made a huge difference in how I experienced the whole trip.July 2025
Blog #3
One of the best ways to get to know a new place is through its food, and Scotland was no exception. Trying local dishes was one of the highlights of my trip even when some of the flavors took a little getting used to. Right after I arrived, I tried a Scots pie. It’s basically a meat pie wrapped in flaky pastry. Nothing too fancy, but warm and filling, and it just felt right to eat one while walking through the city streets. Later on, I finally got to try biscoff gelato, which I’d heard about a lot. It definitely lived up to the hype; sweet and perfect after a long day of exploring. One thing that surprised me was how much salt and vinegar they put on chips (what we’d call fries). They drizzle it on pretty much everything. At first, I thought it was really intense and wasn’t sure if I’d like it, but by the end of the trip, I found it kind of grew on me. It just felt like part of the authentic Scottish experience. Our group meals were always something I looked forward to. We’d share stories from the day, laugh about silly things that happened on the bus, or admit how confused we all were in class but too shy to ask questions. One meal at the Willow Tea Room in Glasgow was so much fun. The high tea experience felt like I was immersing myself in British culture. The food seemed as if it wouldn't be fulfilling but after four mini sandwiches and a scone, I could barely finish my slice of cake. The place was cozy and classic British style, and it was nice to slow down, sip some tea, and just relax after a busy day on our feet. Being in a group made adjusting to the culture so much easier. What really surprised me was that culture shock didn’t feel overwhelming or scary. It was more like getting used to a new rhythm, new habits, new ways of speaking, new customs. It reminded me how easy it is to take your own routines for granted and how interesting it is to see how other people live their everyday lives. July 2025
Blog #4
One of the things I really appreciated about this faculty-led study abroad program was how unique the academic side felt. We didn’t spend our time sitting in a traditional classroom with desks and word documents. Instead, our class sessions were held in community spaces like the Glasgow Zine Library and the Scottish Storytelling Centre in Glasgow and Edinburgh. It felt way more relaxed and engaging, and it helped set the tone for everything we were learning. Each day we had class, we met with a local Scottish author. I thought that part might feel intimidating, but it ended up being one of my favorite things we did. We met authors like Heather Parry, Victoria Mackenzie, and Alice Tarbuck, and they were so open and welcoming. They talked about their personal experiences with writing, creativity, publishing, and how living in Scotland shaped their work. I wasn’t expecting to connect with them as much as I did, but hearing them talk made me reflect on my own creative process too. Outside of class, we had structured free time called “roamings”, where we explored different neighborhoods or landmarks. Sometimes we had prompts or areas to focus on, and other times we just walked, took pictures, and observed. I really liked this part of the program because it gave us the chance to see the city for ourselves instead of only through tours. It made me feel more connected to the place we were in. But out of everything we did, my favorite night by far was the ceilidh. It’s a traditional Scottish dance night, and we attended one as a group in Edinburgh. I had no idea what to expect, and most of us had no clue how to do the dances. But honestly, that made it even better. The music was live, the atmosphere was energetic, and everyone was just there to have fun. We were bumping into strangers, spinning around, laughing until we couldn’t breathe, and not worrying at all about doing it “right.” That night made me realize how much I’d let my guard down on this trip. I wasn’t overthinking. I wasn’t trying to blend in or act like I had everything figured out. I was just having fun and being present.July 2025
Blog #5
As our program was winding down, we took a group trip to Inchcolm Island, and it ended up being one of my favorite days. We took the train early in the morning, and at this point in the trip, public transportation felt second nature. I had my route planned, my bag packed, and a snack in hand before we even left the dorms. Just a few weeks earlier, all of that would’ve made me nervous. Now it felt totally normal. We took the train from Glasgow to Edinburgh and then a bus to Queensferry and a boat to the island, almost all forms of transportation. Inchcolm Abbey was absolutely beautiful. The island was so isolated and beautiful. There weren’t crowds of tourists everywhere, which gave us more space to actually take in the views and wander at our own pace. The castle sat on a small slope and overlooked the surrounding area and ocean; it was the kind of view that made you want to just stand still for a few minutes and soak it all in. This was easily my favorite roaming we went on. We were free to roam the small island and the castle on the island. This was my favorite because nothing was restricted, we had complete free range to explore all we wanted. I could have stayed on the island for hours walking around, reading in the castle, having lunch on the picnic tables, or sitting and watching the waves. What I appreciated most about this day was how much time we had to reflect. We weren’t rushing from place to place. We were just… existing there. I kept thinking about how far I’d come since the start of the trip. Navigating new places didn’t feel scary anymore. I felt confident walking around, asking for help when I needed it, and enjoying the experience instead of stressing over it. Looking back, this whole experience taught me so much. I gained more than just course credit; I gained independence, confidence, and a better understanding of how to move through new environments without fear. I used to think culture shock was something negative. Now, I see it as a chance to grow. It taught me how to be open, curious, and adaptable. I came home feeling changed in the best way, more aware of the world around me, more comfortable with being uncomfortable, and more excited than ever to keep exploring.July 2025
