University of Wisconsin Experience Scotland Program

Are you an Ambassador for Scotland?

By Nancy Lynner

Years ago the University of Wisconsin started a study abroad program in Scotland, and several AWCCS members were buddies to students, having them in their home, or meeting them for outings around Edinburgh.  This program ended abruptly with Covid-19.

The new program is different, and the administration of the University of Wisconsin River Falls calls their new version of study abroad “Experience Scotland”.  The local campus they use for both the Autumn and Spring terms is Newbattle Abbey College.

Cynthia and I met with administrators when they reached out to us to see how AWCCS might give a small amount of support to their program.  Here is what their plan involves:

The 2024 Spring term is January 18- mid May, and round about mid-April the students will benefit from hearing stories of how other Americans have carved out lives in Scotland.  As their term in Scotland draws to a close, many will begin to wonder if they’ll ever get back to Europe or the United Kingdom.

The Experience Scotland Spring 2024 team would like 3 or 4 members to come to Newbattle Abbey College on Tuesday 16 April for a 2:00 PM – 3:00 session involving

• A short (5 minutes) speeches to the 18 students on how you came to be living in Scotland from the USA
• Questions and Answers
• Tea and biscuits
• A Student-led tour of Newbattle Abbey College campus

Reply to Nancy Lynner nlynner@gmail.com and the first who reply will be the AWCCS representatives for this opportunity.  Should this prove successful, there may be many future opportunities so that all members who are interested can get a chance to volunteer in this small but important way.

Help Wanted!

To organise June and July events in Edinburgh

Nancy is going to be away in June and early July, so if there are to be any events in June or a celebration of American Independence Day in July, we need volunteers to host three events.

For June 2024 we are looking for volunteers to create and host two events in Edinburgh: a June Coffee Morning and a June Birthday Bash.  One benefit of hosting is that you choose a date that works for YOU and at a venue that you like and that meets your own price range. If you would like to host one or both of these events, contact Nancy at nlynner@gmail.com.

In July, Edinburgh needs someone to host the American Independence Day Picnic. In recent years the picnic has taken place at Portobello Beach, where each family Brings Their Own Everything. Given Scotland’s unpredictable weather, this means that the event can easily be cancelled on the day and no food is wasted.

The host’s two responsibilities are:

• To check the weather and decide the morning of the event if it should be cancelled, and to contact those planning to come and be contactable as to whether or not it will go ahead.
• To show up early if the weather is good.

The weekend before July 4 is Saturday June 29/Sunday June 30 and the weekend after July 4 is Saturday July 6/Sunday July 7.  The host can choose the afternoon that fits their personal schedule.

This is an important American celebration and we hope someone who plans to attend the event will volunteer to be the host. Please contact Nancy at nlynner@gmail.com by May 30.