Touching Grass, But It’s Scottish This Time
Semester Abroad: University of Edinburgh
Paree, one of the Spring 2026 Global Correspondents, shares her experience here abroad during the Spring 2026 semester. Follow along with the group of correspondents on our blog and look out for their images on the @pennabroad Instagram feed.
I never used to be someone who liked going outside. From a young age, I never wanted to put my hair up and go running around. Sightseeing and fresh air never seemed appealing. I guess that’s why I chose a city school, tons of places to sit inside within tall buildings. That’s also why I originally didn’t apply for study abroad in Scotland.
Going into this semester, I knew this would have to change. Even though Edinburgh is a large city, it’s known for its incredible views and scenic destinations, not for sitting inside. My first week, my new friends and I decided to hike Arthur’s Seat, one of the most famous views here. Slipping and sliding on the ice with my boots that had absolutely no traction (because I had never done a hike like that before), I genuinely thought I wouldn’t make it. The cold air hit my face, and the wind made it even harder to keep my balance. However, the social pressure of being around people I had just met pushed me to make it to the top.
Since then, the weather has warmed up, and I’ve done the hike three more times. Every time, it has become easier, and the view has felt that much more rewarding. This effort to embrace the outdoors has gone beyond just this hike. It’s been in seeing the Highland cows, running through the Meadows (a huge green lawn on campus, don’t worry, I was also confused by the name),and noticing everything in between. I’ve come to look forward to and appreciate doing things I would have never chosen before.
Through this, I’ve started to enjoy the quiet, the calm, and the peacefulness. Standing at the top of Arthur’s Seat, hearing only the wind and distant birds, feels completely different from the constant noise of being inside. It’s a kind of silence and freedom that can’t really be captured in a photo.
I didn’t expect this shift in myself. If anything, I came abroad expecting new classes and new people, not a new version of myself. But now, I find myself choosing to go outside more, even when I don’t have to. Maybe I’ll find new views in Philly too.
I’ve made a conscious effort to implement this same mindset in other places I’ve visited during my time abroad. When I went to London, I made sure to find time for myself to walk around, no AirPods, no talking to anyone, just myself and Tower Bridge. When I went to Budapest, this meant watching the sunrise behind the Parliament building at Fisherman’s Bastion. When I went to Marrakech, this meant looking outside for the entire 10-hour drive to the Sahara Desert, observing the villages and the Atlas Mountains. In my trips and time here, it’s impossible to do it all, but it is possible to be present for the parts you do get to experience.