Scotland Episodes

What if you don’t know exactly what comes next? Maybe that’s okay. Jane Scott didn’t follow a carefully planned career path. She stayed curious. She kept learning. And she paid attention when new opportunities came her way. Jane is Director of Marketing Communications at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, Scotland. Her career has taken her from publishing to teaching English in Japan, marketing, communications and higher education leadership. In our conversation, Jane talks abou...

What if one trip could help you discover what you’re capable of? Three Texas State University students traveled to Scotland for a three-week education abroad program at Queen Margaret University. They arrived without knowing one another or exactly what to expect. In this episode, I pass the microphone to three Texas State University students studying in Scotland. Libby Sanchez, Sarah Hervey, and Kinbe Perez share what they are learning—not only in class, but about themselves. Libby, Sarah...

At 20 years old, Queen Margaret University student Laura Stevenson traveled from Scotland to Martha's Vineyard for a six-month study abroad internship. At the time, it felt like nothing more than a graduation requirement. She had no idea she was living through a defining moment. In this episode of Stories of Change & Creativity, Laura reflects on the experience that changed her life. And she didn't recognize it until years later. Together, we explore how defining moments sometimes reveal thei...

What happens when a restaurant encourages people to put away their phones and simply talk to each other? At Bella Italia in North Berwick, Scotland, a simple sign on the door reads: "We do not have Wi-Fi. Talk to each other. Pretend it's 1995." That sign caught my attention while I was teaching at Queen Margaret University in Scotland. But it was what happened inside the restaurant that stayed with me. In this episode of Stories of Change & Creativity, I talk with Loredana (Lora) Calabrese ab...

Scottish interior designer and entrepreneur Emma Cross shares how childhood experiences, creativity, travel, and a willingness to say yes shaped her life and career. Emma Cross knew she wanted to be a designer when she was five years old. In this episode of Stories of Change & Creativity, I sit down with Emma Cross, a Scottish interior designer and entrepreneur, to explore the experiences that shaped her life and career. I first discovered Emma's shop while exploring North Berwick, Scotlan...

If you’re a fan of Outlander, the historical fiction series set in Scotland, like I am, this episode is for you. In this conversation, I talk with Dr. Alexandra “Alex” Dold, a literary scholar and historian known as the “Doctor of Outlander,” about her academic journey and career path. We discuss how historical fiction can become public history — inviting people to connect with history beyond textbooks and classrooms. During this episode, you’ll learn how Outlander and other historical fictio...

In this short solo episode, I share some thoughts about my study abroad experience in Scotland. It pushed me and my students out of our comfort zone, but that was a very good thing. I taught one of the first Edinburgh hub classes for Texas State University based at Queen Margaret University. Our hub programs are short-term study abroad experiences where students earn credit while spending 3-weeks living and learning overseas. Takeaways • Students connected with each other while developing de...

How do you keep moving forward when the road isn’t clear? In this episode of Stories of Change and Creativity – Scotland Edition, I sit down with Bety Téllez Mora, Content and Campaigns Officer at Queen Margaret University - Edinburgh. Bety navigates challenges and career pivots—across countries and creative fields. From journalism to digital storytelling, Bety shares how embracing change, taking risks, and staying curious has helped her shape a meaningful creative journey—one step at a time....

Study abroad Scotland. An unforgettable experience of culture, courage, and personal growth. Texas State University junior Jamin Ochoa signed up for a public relations class in Scotland and it's been a life-changing experience. Jamin shares his journey of personal transformation from the campus of Queen Margaret University near Edinburgh. Key Takeaways • Jamin connected to his family heritage in Scotland • Campus-based programs allow students to truly experience living in another country ...

Just say yes to opportunities. Grace White, a rising sophomore public relations major at Texas State University, shares her transformative experiences about her three-week study abroad program in Scotland. Grace was a student in my Intro to Public Relations class at Queen Margaret University. We sat down in the library on campus and I recorded our conversation on my iPhone. We talked about how a classroom presentation evolved into a life-changing journey. Key Takeaways • Overcoming impost...

Education abroad gives students the chance to discover the world beyond their familiar borders. On this episode of Stories of Change and Creativity: Scotland Edition, I had the chance to talk with Angie Olmos. Angie is a sophomore Mass Communication major minoring in International Studies at Texas State University. She's in the Intro to Public Relations class I'm teaching this summer at Queen Margaret University near Edinburgh. Together we chat about how global experiences shape who we are an...

What’s it like to leave the U.S. for the first time and study in a new country? In this short series I'm highlighting our Texas State University education abroad program in Scotland. Students and faculty spent three weeks living and working on the campus of Queen Margaret University, near Edinburgh, Scotland. Join me as I sit down with students, faculty, and local professionals to capture their stories. Tori, a sophomore advertising major, shares her journey as a first-time international trav...

Are you a professor, researcher or writer? Do you battle with distraction and writer's block? If so, a writing retreat might be just what you need to finish your project. Retreats provide academics with distraction-free environments to focus solely on their writing projects, helping them make significant progress in a short time. While teaching a class at Queen Margaret University in Scotland, I stumbled upon a writing retreat just down the hall from my classroom. I as...