A little over a year ago I devised a plan. Not that this is any type of rarity, I like making plans. No, actually, I love making plans. My plan was to get my master's degree and to get it at an international university. After that decision, the plan had to get slightly more specific, seeing as there are thousands of international educational venues I could chose from. The challenges a non-English speaking country would provide would not only build character it would transform me from a dull monolingual individual to a smooth talking, far more intelligent, sophisticated bilingual goddess. It is for this reason I chose Glasgow.
Wait a minute, don't they speak English in Glasgow? There is the slight flaw in the aforementioned plan. They do speak English in Glasgow. However, the city's residents, the Glaswegians, are notorious for having the thickest of Scottish brogues and being nearly impossible to understand. So while I may not be tackling German, French or Italian I will be indoctrinated in a new type of English, a Scotslish.
In addition to an intriguing linguistic adventure, the city of Glasgow provided numerous facets that would attract any girl from Kansas to its borders: a very chilly and rainy climate, the delightful delicacy of Haggis (stuffed sheep's stomach), men in kilts and finally, a strong affinity for plaid, excuse me tartan. However, it was not these qualities that drew me to the city. Instead, I fell in love with Glasgow for other reasons. First and foremost, I didn't choose Glasgow, I chose the Glaswegians. In the process of applying and enrolling at the University of Glasgow, I have yet to run across one brooding Scotsman. I've been met at each and every turn with kind people who do their very best to not only help you but to make you feel comfortable. And, while at times, it may be difficult to understand the accent they are excellent conversationalists, making grabbing a beer at the local pub with any one of them seem excessively appealing.
While the Glaswegians were the foundation of my decision, the University and the city itself finalized my plans. Glasgow is the fourth largest city in the UK (trailing London, Birmingham and Leeds) the social, political and cultural opportunities this affords only deepens the entire international experience. As well as having an abundance of cultural opportunities the city is gorgeous. If you need some convincing take some google image time to explore Glasgow's cathedral, Glasgow Green, George Square or the University.
Onto the Unviersity of Glasgow, my home away from home for the next year. While completing the search for the dream international city in which I would complete my masters, I decided it would be of fair importance to keep academics in mind. Fortunately, the University of Glasgow decided to uphold it's end on providing the solid educational experience featured on the "must have" column of my international shopping list. The University of Glasgow is the fourth oldest University in the UK (Glasgow loves to be fourth!) and is home to such distinguished alumni as Adam Smith and James Herriot. This was enough for me, I figured if the author of "All Things Great and Small" , James Herriot, my childhood idol, went to the University of Glasgow then I certainly should as well. It, of course, does not matter that he had studied veterinary medicine and I am planning on entering American studies.
As I worked on completing the last year of my undergraduate studies the plan for continuing my studies abroad began to grow. And now, a year later, there are three plaid suitcases on my floor stuffed to the brim with rainboots, cardigans, jackets, pancake mix, barbeque sauce, pictures of Tucker and books about Kansas. I can pack bits and pieces of Kansas City to bring to Glasgow, but unfortunately can't baggage the best part, the people. But, there's a blog for that. This blog will be a way for me to connect the two worlds and relay all moments of culture shock, homesickness, travel adventures, moments of pure excitement and the overall Glasgow experience. It will also prove as my platform to show all you doubters, yes there are a few of you, who doubt my picture taking prowess. Yes, I actually will take them and they might be decent!
I hope you all will continue to read (I promise to not always be so long winded), keep in contact, and ask me plenty of questions-- I will need ideas as to what to write about! I want you all to share a little bit of the Glasgow experience with me!
Delightful!!
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