Scots around the globe: MC students reflect on summer study abroad experiences

Many Scots spent last summer representing the college internationally, through study abroad programs in Chile, England, Scotland, Spain, Thailand and other countries.

Clara Webster (‘26), an MC study abroad ambassador, studied in Chile for a month during the summer. 

“I have a minor in Spanish and had two classes left to take: grammar and conversation,” Webster said. “The program at the Pontifical University in Valparaiso, Chile, offered these exact classes, so it was an easy pick.”

Webster said she needed to take summer courses to maintain her three minors, including Spanish, so she decided to take them abroad. She emphasized the importance of international study and encouraged more students to participate if possible. 

“Studying abroad is so important in so many ways – it broadens your perspective and makes you aware of important cultural similarities and differences,” Webster said. “It teaches you how to live in a community with those different [from] you and face those differences head-on.” 

Clara Webster (‘26) represents MC in front of Andes Mountains, in Patagonia region of Chile. Photo courtesy of Clara Webster. 

McKenna Marr (‘28) studied in the United Kingdom during the summer. She said she wanted to experience opportunities unavailable in the United States, so she took advantage of MC’s study abroad program. 

“My study abroad experience was [amazing overall],” Marr said. “We met with several locals and spoke with people who had hands-on education and experience in the things we were studying. We got to see so many different parts of the UK, including Scotland, London, Edinburgh and more.”

Marr acknowledged that studying abroad can be intimidating but said the experience is worthwhile. “Studying abroad forces you to interact with people and the world in a way that might be a bit outside of your comfort zone, but ultimately will give you the experience you were looking for,” she said. 

McKenna Marr (‘28) stands in a field on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. Photo courtesy of McKenna Marr. 

Michael Howard (‘28) studied abroad in Barcelona and Catalonia, Spain, during the summer. Howard said his family was always adventurous, traveling throughout the United States, but he had never left the country. He said that he had always wanted to explore other countries, which sparked his interest in study abroad programs before committing to MC. 

The “exemplary” study abroad program at MC was a contributing factor in Howards’ decision to apply and eventually actually attend MC, he said. He discussed how much his trip to Barcelona and Catalonia taught him and expanded his worldview. Howard gained new friends through the experience and maintains contact with them.

“The Catalan culture may be one of the most unique cultures around the world,” said Howard, explaining that the autonomous community in Spain is dominated by Madrid and the Spanish population. 

“Their well preserved history tells a story of resistance, solidarity and community that stretches back centuries,” he said.

“A quote I heard recently in one of my classes is, ‘Traveling is the world’s greatest university,’ and I believe this in and of itself is the single biggest strength of study abroad–you will learn so many new things,” Howard said. 

He added that learning is not always about writing an essay or research paper, and that what he learned abroad surpasses what he has learned in classrooms.

“Being there, in that place, with the people who live there, genuinely and dutifully engaging in their culture, giving your best towards understanding them, that is true learning,” Howard said. 

Jasmine Muecke (‘28) studied in Thailand during the summer. Muecke had visited Thailand before with her family, but decided to take the opportunity to study abroad so she could visit her extended family while earning school credits. 

“The program opened my eyes to an entire side of Thailand I was unaware of since I had only been there with family,” said Muecke. “I realized the Thailand my mom grew up with and believed in was different from the Thailand the professor portrayed.”

She discussed the importance of studying abroad, given the new perspectives it can provide. 

“I feel like traveling is a great way for personal development,” Muecke said. “Our thoughts and actions are reinforced by our environment, and going abroad helps us reevaluate our beliefs and values.”