At the end of May, a group of Fighting Scots not only learned more about the economics of Scotland – as well as its culture and history – but they contributed to it, as well.
“The students were surprised about a couple things,” said Monmouth College business professor Tom Prince, who led the group of 22 current students and recent graduates, along with his business department colleague, Mike Connell, and psychology professor Joan Wertz. “One was the amount that Scotland relies on tourism as an economic factor.”
On a related note, the difference between the Midwest’s rich soil and Scotland’s rocky terrain stood out, added Prince, with the landscape leading to what he called “a completely different style of living” from what the students see around Monmouth.
That lesson was one of several that fell into the culture category. Among moments on the history side was visiting Stirling Castle, a structure more than 900 years old, where many rulers have been crowned, including Mary, Queen of Scots in 1542.
Madison Riggs ’26 of Knoxville, Illinois, called the trip “a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
“Getting to travel to a different country with your peers is such a unique experience that only a college trip could provide,” she said. “Scotland is a very beautiful country … between the natural beauty and the historical architecture. I will always remember how beautiful it was. Going on abroad trips is always fun because you create unique memories and get to know the professors and peers on an even more personal level than you already would in class.”
There were other life lessons, as well.
“The students also experienced firsthand that traveling internationally can bring challenges,” said Prince. “We missed a connecting flight in (Reykjavik) Iceland, so we had to spend the night there. That was an experience. So they learned how to work through unexpected situations.”
Also unexpected by the students, said Prince, was that the sun never set during their time in Iceland.
It’s not quite clear if an unscheduled night in Iceland is a “highlight” or not, but moments that definitely stood out in a positive way were visiting Loch Ness, taking in the “beautiful” highlands and touring the city of St. Andrews, including its historic links golf course, where the group was able to pose on its famous Swilcan Bridge.
“I would highly recommend to anyone considering traveling abroad to go to the meetings about the trip and talk with the professors coordinating it,” said Riggs. “The professors went above and beyond to make sure that anyone interested could go on the trip by helping them with the price of the trip and made sure that everyone on the trip was having a good time and was as comfortable as possible.”
“Overall, our trip was really successful,” said Prince. “The students were really lively. It was a great group.”
***Courtesy of Barry McNamara, Monmouth College***
