WWU Student Attends Summer School in Scotland

6/14/2011 Mary Ann Beahon
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (573) 592-1127

 

 
Britain and America may be, in the words of Winston Churchill, “Two nations divided by a common language,” but U.S. students attending an international summer school in Scotland have found an entertaining way of overcoming communication problems.

Julia PeairsThe nine students – including William Woods University undergraduate Julia Peairs of Chandler, Ariz. – took in the modern Scottish-themed classic movies “Braveheart” and “Trainspotting” to “tune in” to local accents before heading for Oatridge College in rural West Lothian.
 
In addition to Peairs, who is a senior at William Woods majoring in equestrian science and biology with a pre-veterinary concentration, the members of the group represent six U.S. institutions: Southern Illinois, California, Midway College, Louisiana State, Missouri and Arkansas.
 
All are studying animal science and during their five weeks at Oatridge are concentrating on equine studies and aiming for unit qualifications that will count towards their degrees.
 
The college, one of Scotland’s smallest, specializes in a range of rural programs, including agriculture, horticulture, animal care and environmental management. It is also the home of the Scottish National Equestrian Centre, which has two international-standard indoor riding arenas and a range of outdoor riding facilities, including all-weather gallops and a cross country course.
                                                           
This year’s U.S. visitors have been particularly impressed by the summer Students in Scotlandschool’s expert and “laid back” teaching style, the “well-rounded curriculum,” the beauty of the college estate and surrounding countryside and the sights of Edinburgh, the Scottish capital city, which is a half-hour bus ride away.
 
They are however, hoping for a change in the weather – it’s rained most days since their arrival – before they embark on a series of trips to other parts of the country.
 
And a far as the language issue is concerned: “It’s getting easier the longer we’re here,” one of the students said. “The other students have been great and are always inviting us to join them for social events. We’re really looking forward to a traditional ‘Scottish Night’ of singing and dancing.”
 
Read more about the College on the Oatridge website: www.oatridge.ac.uk.   For more information, contact Colin Adams Media and PR, public relations support to Oatridge College, at cadams@oatridge.ac.uk or colinadams@blueyonder.co.uk.
                                                                      
 
CUTLINE:
William Woods University student Julia Peairs (front row, left) with the other U.S. students attending an international summer school in Scotland.