We're Going On An Adventure

#Adventure

June 20, 2014

If I could explain the first week of school in one word, it would be ecstatic. 

Let's start with a basic overview - the University of Stirling's International Summer School (ISS) offers a unique dynamic of the classroom experience. Each module (class) has two components that are lecture based and field based. Every week students receive a lecture followed by an offsite excursion to a venue that correlates to that lecture. 

Off site excursions are not always the same as your scheduled class time so master calendars are passed to all students with a weekly recap of location and times. As an ISS student, you may also tag along on other module's excursions pending they do not interfere with your scheduled classes or other obligations. On Thursday's, the ISS has a voluntary offsite excursion for the entire school that travels to one city in Scotland for students to explore all day. Prioritizing your time can allow you to see much of Scotland just on excursions alone with out having to spend a dime. Between the ISS charter busses and school, I was able to see the following sites by the end of the first week of school.  

Stop One: City of Perthshire - Doune Castle 

Said to be built in the 13th century but reconstructed due to damage in the 14th century, this colossal castle is also used as the set for Winterfell in the television series Game of Thrones. 

Doune Castle 

Unfortunately, we were unable to tour the inside as it was closing time.

Stop Two: City of Dunblane - Dunblane Cathedral 

This beautiful historic church is composite building of different era's in time.  The lower construction of the tower on the church is from the 11th century dated with another part added in the 15th century. The rest of the building is 13th century Gothic. The church cathedral once seated the Bishops of Dunblane until it was abolished after the Scottish Reformation - the formal break with the Papacy. 

If you look at the tower, you can see the change of masonry work towards the top 

Dunblane Cathedral 

Inside the cathedral 

Stop 3: City of Stirling - Viewpoint of the city of Stirling from Stirling Castle 
Stirling Castle is both historic and strategic in its placement. It is said that it sits atop a cliff, with 3 edges that can not be approached with out knowing. It was also the view point for looking out for enemy attack. It was strategically placed that it set as a defensive stronghold point for formidable attacks. 

Stop Four: University of Stirling - Welcome Ceremony  

Held in Airthery Castle on the grounds of the University of Stirling, all ISS Students were invited to a welcoming ceremony - formally introduced with bag pipe playing, wine, water or  juice with light appetizers. We were greeted by the Chancellor (president) of the university welcoming us and thanking us for our choice on choosing the University of Stirling ISS program. I have to say I believe I was the only person taking pictures this day. The vibe was a bit of nervousness as this was the official mingle of students meeting one another and connecting and forming friendships. 

The walls floor to ceiling was filled with intricate woodwork such as this 

Meet and greet of new students 

Traditional Scottish Piper

Stop Five: William Wallace National Monument  (class excursion) 
This was, by far, my most favorite excursion of the week. It accompanied my Psychology of Evil class. The William Wallace monument is walking distance from the university and built as a tribute to Sir William Wallace (Braveheart). 

Hiking to the base of the monument is a good 20 to 20 minutes - up hill, both ways, in the snow. The views are well worth the hike but are nothing after you traverse all 246 steps to the very top of the monument itself. If you hadn't shed at least 10 pounds by time you reached the top, you will at least have given your body enough of a work out to be "good" for at least a MINIMUM of 30 days. For my trek up, it wasn't the stairs so much as my intense fear of heights. The stairway up to the top is so narrow that two people can not be on it at the same time (one coming up, one coming down) so there are four chambers off to the right on your journey that commemorate Wallace and his battle so that tourists can either rest or allow someone to pass to continue their journey up or down.

Trek to the base of the William Wallace Monument 

William Wallace Monument from Base 

Staircase 

View from the top of the William Wallace Monument 

Top of Wallace Monument 

Classmates 

Concluding this story, I feel obligated to pass on in this submission that every Scott I have spoken to has vehemently stated that the movie Braveheart by Mel Gibson is a historically inaccurate description of events glorifying a horrendous war with an even more grotesque ending than what was depicted in the movie. Prior to our offsite excursion, we were given a verbal 2 hour rendition of the correct portrayal of William Wallace. The Scottish culture holds William Wallace as a significant hero and catalyst towards change for the country of Scotland. When you think of William Wallace you may envision bravery, someone who fought for freedom, someone who valued and was patriotic to his country, someone who wanted change for his people and used unconventional ways to out smart, out think, and out wit his overbearing enemy. Knowing all that Wallace did for Scotland, you may inquire why, in fact, was he being studied in my Psychology of Evil class. These same "virtues" and "honorable characteristics" are placed with the perception of groups like Al-Queda. By 2014 standards, depending on who's side you were own, you could potentially be seen as a terrorist. 

Stop 6: City of Alva, Alva Academy (class excursion) 
The trip to Alva Academy coincided with the class Education & Learning From A Scottish Perspective. Alva is a secondary academy school. Our visit consisted of tours being given by students and a discussion about the changes to come with curriculum. It is very much a student based school and I was beyond impressed with what the students showed me. All teachers also serve as counselors, students mentor each other, and even have houses that are similar to the familiarity of the Harry Potter books. Education in Scotland is free - primary, secondary, highers (like running start classes to prepare for college). College is free to Scottish residents requiring payment for dorm fees and books only. Because of children being involved, we did not take pictures inside of the school but the scenery to and from was just as nice to look at.