Rachel Burton: Becoming a True Fighting Scot

       After attending Maryville College and visiting Scotland, you would think that I would already know what it takes to be a "Fighting Scot."  However, I feel that there is really no true way to become a "Scot" without immersing myself in the Scottish culture for more than a week.  After five months of making Scotland my residence, I hope to feel somewhat apart of the culture.  In the heart of Edinburgh, I evolve from looking completely  lost and confused, to looking like I know where I'm going and what I'm doing, to actually knowing where I am, how to get where I need to go, and to know what I'm doing.  Once I feel like I've mastered that, then I will feel much more unified with the Edinburgh community.
       When it comes to getting involved with the campus, I hope to find several organizations, clubs, and groups on campus that I can join.  I don't want to be seen as simply another international student.  I want to be known throughout both the international and Scottish undergraduate students.  I also want to be known by the locals by immersing myself in the city of Edinburgh on a daily basis.  I want to be remembered and keep long-lasting relationships with people after my semester there has finished.  I want to make a name for myself there, such as "Rachel Burton, the cool girl," instead of "that American international student."  I'm fine with being referred to as the American girl until I make my place there, but I definitely don't want to be seen as the cliche American: loud, obnoxious, and wild.
         Being a naturally social person, I don't foresee a problem in becoming a local in Edinburgh.  I will make the effort to become a "regular" at local coffee shops, grocery stores, etc., so that I am hopefully remembered and can make friendships with locals in the working community.  Knowing myself, I will be going out A LOT, from walking around the city, learning to navigate on my own after class, to exploring different restaurants, bars, and nightclubs on the weekends.  I know the campus and city is much larger than what I'm used to here at Maryville, but that's part of the excitement for me and the challenge in becoming known in a foreign country.
          I love to attend events, so it will be easy to get involved with the campus by attending international events, campus parties, or invitations to student gatherings.  I have an advantage by knowing someone in a nearby city of Aberdeen.  I will get the "inside scoop" from John before and while I'm there.  He has already told me a lot about social norms and general knowledge of living in Scotland and the education system of universities there.  He will be coming down to Edinburgh to visit some weekends while I'm studying there, so I'll have him give me an Edinburgh tour each time to become more familiar with the city on my own.  If he has any connections there, he will introduce me so that I can add to my list of locals I know.  Having him to guide me throughout the city will help keep me and my girlfriends safe when we're in the city late at night.