High school seniors who are looking ahead to college in fall 2020 have an opportunity to look even further ahead — to the summer of 2020 and to the east, Scotland.
Jumpstart: Scotland is a new program by the Office of International Education at University of Wisconsin-Stout. It’s for students about to begin their first year, providing a chance to experience another culture and to earn three academic credits even before stepping onto campus.
The program, from June 24 to July 24, includes excursions in Scotland to experience the culture. There’s also an optional weekend trip to the Scottish Highlands. Class space is limited. The program also is open to UW-River Falls students.
“We encourage you to submerge yourself in a new culture and push beyond your comfort zone to experience what Scotland has to offer. By doing so, you'll develop confidence, understanding for others and an appreciation for the world we live in,” said Andria Morse, interim assistant director of study abroad for the UW-Stout Office of International Education.
The course instructor will be Mitch Ogden, an associate professor in the English and philosophy department at UW-Stout. Students will learn about traditional Scottish storytelling, including ancient and contemporary methods.
Jumpstart: Scotland is an extension of the existing Wisconsin in Scotland program at Dalkeith House, an 18th century castle that’s six miles from Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. UW-Stout students and faculty and others from around the UW System have taken and taught courses as part of Wisconsin in Scotland since 1986.
A recent graduate, Abby Fawcett, said studying in Scotland was life-changing and helped her succeed at UW-Stout. Read more here.
Overall, close to 300 UW-Stout students study abroad each year, benefiting in many ways from their experiences, Morse said.
“Research by the Institute of International Education shows that studying abroad has long-term impacts on students’ career progression, promotion and job offers,” Morse said, including soft skills such as intercultural communications, adaptability, problem-solving, confidence and team-building.
Students can learn more about Wisconsin in Scotland and other international education opportunities during the campus Study Abroad Fair from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 18, in the ballrooms of the Memorial Student Center.
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Photos
Dalkeith House is an 18th century castle near Edinburgh, Scotland, where a new UW-Stout study abroad program, Jumpstart: Scotland, will be based.
Andria Morse
Abby Fawcett enjoyed the Wisconsin in Scotland program en route to earning her degree at UW-Stout.
