Ten days ago, I flew across the pond and landed in the "Athens of the North." While my journey to get there proved to be a trial of patience, resilience, and strength (you can read about it here), my feeling of intense joy upon arriving in Edinburgh made it all worthwhile. I arrived in Edinburgh … Continue reading Back to Where It All Began
Category: scotland
The Airport Adventures of a Tired Travelsmith
I am jet lagged. I am very dehydrated. I am sore from dragging around a too heavy suitcase. I am also hysterically excited. I am in love. I am in the place I am meant to be. On September 4th, I started my journey from San Francisco to Edinburgh. The morning began with my overly … Continue reading The Airport Adventures of a Tired Travelsmith
Frequently Asked Questions
Friends, family, strangers on the internet, here is the question and answer session that no one asked for, but perhaps secretly wanted. Over the past few months as I have shared my news with the people in my life, I have inevitably been asked a multitude of questions. Some are fair enough, wondering about my … Continue reading Frequently Asked Questions
Sitting Tightly
I am waiting. For the past two years, I feel as though my constant state of being has been "waiting." Waiting for the right time to apply to graduate school, waiting for applications to open, waiting to find out a decision, waiting to receive a visa, and waiting to leave. I have been stuck waiting … Continue reading Sitting Tightly
Why I Picked the University of St Andrews
"Are you going there because Kate Middleton went there?" If you know me, then you will know that I have a not so secret obsession with Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. What started out, innocently enough, as my style icon slowly but surely morphed into some sort of strange guru like fanaticism. I have more pictures … Continue reading Why I Picked the University of St Andrews
A Sign from the Universe (Recounting my Graduate School Decision Timelines)
The cat is officially out of the bag. In just a few short weeks, I will be flying across the pond to begin graduate school at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. As I mentioned in my previous post, I am hysterically excited. When I started chronicling my graduate school application process, I had … Continue reading A Sign from the Universe (Recounting my Graduate School Decision Timelines)
How Scotland Changed Me
Scotland holds a special place in my heart, and I have documented that love here, on this blog. I write about it fondly and often in comparison to my upcoming move to Cambodia, and I also narrated my four month adventure interning for the Scottish parliament. However, I realized that I rarely touch upon how Scotland changed … Continue reading How Scotland Changed Me
Reverse Culture Shock
Just over a year ago I roamed the cobbled streets of Edinburgh, popping into shops, listening to bagpipes, and consuming copious amounts of tea and scones. I also experience quite a bit of culture shock. When I first arrived in Scotland, I knew that I would inevitably encounter aspects of Scottish culture that surprised, and … Continue reading Reverse Culture Shock
Notes About Packing
A year ago I began packing for my journey to Edinburgh, Scotland. I had no idea how to even start preparing my suitcases for the adventure to come. Scotland was a foreign land, with unknown weather, terrain, and fashion cultures. Living in Northern California for my whole life, I did not know how to gather clothing … Continue reading Notes About Packing
End of an Era
Sixteen weeks later, the time has come for this Travelsmith to bid her adopted home goodbye. After a successful abroad experience of mischief, magic, and unforgettable memories, I can affirm that deciding to journey to Scotland is one of the greatest things I have ever done. How can I even begin to thank Scotland for all … Continue reading End of an Era
The Traveling Smith 