Criminal Justice Study Abroad

Scotland, UK

Special Topics in Criminal Justice

For this honors experience, I participated in both the class and the international trip. One of my favorite insights from this experience was learning about how the UK prison system operates compared to the US. In Scotland, the focus is on rehabilitating incarcerated individuals.

In the following image, we hiked up the William Wallace Monument, where I confronted my fear of heights. The climb involved navigating a tight spiral staircase up a 220-foot tower that has dominated the Stirling skyline since its completion in 1869.

The Real Mary King's Close

During this experience, we visited the Real Mary King’s Close. I learned about the Plague doctor and where it originated. This underground experience was filled with myths and mysteries, The Close and its warren of streets, homes, and passageways. It was exciting to explore the secrets of Edinburgh’s only preserved 17th-century street, Old Town alleyways, and discover the stories of those who lived, worked, and died there.

Stirling Castle

During our time in Scotland, we visited two castles, and this one was my favorite. It featured a beautiful garden, and we enjoyed trying shortbread in the gift shop. We also had the chance to meet some wonderful people there.

Edinburgh Zoo

On our free day, my roommate and I took a double-decker bus to the Edinburgh Zoo, which was stunning. One unexpected feature of the zoo is that it’s built high on a hill, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains once you reach a certain point.