Latest Episode

Scotland Episodes

This short series features student stories about our education abroad experience at Queen Margaret University near Edinburgh, Scotland in June 2025.
94
Aug. 4, 2025

How Study Abroad Pushes You Out of Your Comfort Zone

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...
93
July 5, 2025

Finding a Creative Career: Bety Téllez Mora's Path

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....
92
June 25, 2025

Education Abroad Scotland: Jamin Ochoa’s Life-Changing Journey

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 ...
91
June 24, 2025

From Freshman to Fearless: Grace White's Scottish Adventure

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...
90
June 24, 2025

Take a Chance on Scotland: Angie Olmos and Study Abroad

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...
89
June 24, 2025

From Texas State to Scotland: Tori Pickett's Study Abroad Story

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...
88
June 12, 2025

How Writing Retreats Unlock Creativity: Insight from Dr. Vani Naik

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...