Megan Robinson
About My Study Abroad Program
Major/Minor: Psychology & HDFS, Speech and Hearing Sciences minor
Program: University of St. Andrews exchange
Location: St. Andrews, Scotland
Email: megana22@live.unc.edu
Term: Fall 2021
Why did you choose to study abroad and how did you select your program?
St. Andrews was always my dream school. I wanted to go there for undergrad but it didn't work out financially, so I knew I wanted to study abroad there during my time at UNC. I visited St Andrews in 2017 and fell in love with the town and the idea of all the unique school traditions. I also have a lot of family in the UK so I knew I would be able to spend more time with them, and Scotland is a great location in terms of travel, both in the UK and in Europe.
What did you learn about yourself?
Coming out of the pandemic and living at home with my parents for 18 months, I was worried about how I get on being independent again. Living alone in a country far from home and being able to experience solo travel for the first time taught me so much about myself and how much I can handle. Having to face certain challenges alone and problem solving by myself in foreign countries showed me that I can be successful on my own, but it's also okay to ask for help. I also learned that I'm really good at planning trips and finding my way around new cities!
What is one of your favorite memories from your program?
I could pick so many favorite memories from my program since it was the best time of my life, but if I had to pick one I would choose my first pier walk. At St. Andrews it is tradition for students to wear their red gowns and walk the pier every Sunday at noon. My first pier walk was incredibly special, as I had been waiting to go to St Andrews and experience these traditions for so long. Thousands of students turned up to walk the pier single file, and I remember feeling so incredibly proud to be a part of the sea of red gowns.
What advice do you have for future study abroad students?
My main advice would be to always be open to new opportunities. You will be put into situations you have never experienced before and it can be overwhelming, but if you are open to meeting new people and trying new things then you will have the most amazing time. Also, never be afraid to ask for help.
Memories
