I have arrived safe and sound to Aberdeen, Scotland after a flight from Pittsburgh to New York to London, and finally Aberdeen, Scotland, where I was welcomed at the airport, by my Rotary host family Ron and Annie McKail. The McKail’s took me to my house on campus, and I met my “house-mate”, Sebastian.
Sebastian is from Northern Scotland, and is a first year student at Robert Gordon University (RGU) just like me. He will be studying Computer Science, does martial arts and thankfully is an excellent cook. He told me he would teach me how to cook any time I’d like and has already allowed me to sample his vegetable and minced meat lasagna, curry chili, and carrot soup!
I find myself comparing Scotland to Hong Kong, since the Chinese and Asian culture is the only other culture, aside from America, that I have experience with, and let me tell you Scotland in nothing like Hong Kong! Basically the only familiarity is the fact that in Scotland they also drive on the “wrong” side of the road. The driver’s side is on the right side of the car, making all traffic patterns opposite of what I’m used to. Even crossing the street I have to look for cars in the opposite direction.
The McKail’s have been extremely hospitable driving me around town, treating me to meals, and helping me get acquainted with Aberdeen. The first day they took me shopping for necessities at ASDA (the name for Wal-Mart in Scotland). ASDA is basically the same as Wal-Mart in America, it is just 2 stories instead on one. ASDA also has a McDonald’s attached to it, and I am happy to say ASDA sells Diet Coke! I am so happy Diet Coke is International!
I am excited to try all the different foods, so far I’ve seen a lot of “minced meat and tatties” which is basically ground beef and potatoes. No haggis yet. Rhubarb is apparently a common flavor in Scotland, which I am very excited about because rhubarb pies are my favorite!
Some little highlights of my trip so far have been going for my first run in Aberdeen, I am going to become an expert at running up and down “rolling hills”. So far I have seen at least 3 Starbucks, and lots of places to go shopping. I was also super excited when I found one of the lamps in my room is a touch lamp, haha…sometimes it’s the little things. And just now, Sebastian and I…well okay, just Sebastian, killed a spider in our house. The spider was big, black, and very, very fast!
The weather here is what I had been expecting, rainy, colder, and gray. There have been periods of sunshine, and with them I thankful for the little blessings. I already bought packs of hot chocolate. This cooler weather always makes me want to cuddle up and drink hot cocoa and tea!
I’ve got a week ahead full of orientation, meeting International students, being introduced to my Master program and the RGU Business School. I’m going to check out different organizations around campus and see where I can get involved – the Christian Student Union, a running group, and triathlon club, are just a few of the organizations that have already caught my attention. I did attend my first Rotary club meeting here in Scotland, where I was introduced to just over a dozen older gentlemen and community leaders, who I shared lunch with as they welcomed me to Aberdeen. Everyone is very friendly and I’m looking forward to future adventures, opportunities, and stories with friends – “Cheers”.
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