Scotland Study Abroad Orientation & Excursions

Arrival and orientation

• Airport pick-up for group flight travelers
• Two- to four-day orientation in Edinburgh for semester/year students: Includes transportation, accommodation, activities and most meals
• Welcome meal
• Introduction to Scottish culture
• Discussion of academic differences and expectations
• IFSA-Butler staff walk students through everything from how to succeed academically to integrating socially in the host university
• Two-day visit with a local family
• Transportation to host university accommodation at conclusion of orientation

Excursions

• 3-day Highland weekend (fall): Includes sightseeing throughout the Highlands, castles, hill walking, Loch Ness cruise, whisky distillery tour
• 3-day Isle of Skye weekend (spring): Includes tour of the Highlands and the magical Isle of Skye, visits to the Cuillin Mountains and hiking to the Old Man of Storr. Students also visit Armadale Castle, Glencoe, Rannoch Moor and Eilean Donan Castle
• Argyll adventure weekend (spring): Spend the weekend in the Argyll region of Scotland and take a ferry trip from Gourock to the beautiful town of Dunoon. Also included is a guided night walk through the Argyll woodland, a visit to Scotland's oldest National Park and an opportunity to see the spectacular views of Loch Lomond. Outdoor activities include hiking, underground caving, canoeing, mountain biking, gorge scrambling (spelunking) and a high ropes course

Other activities

• Reunion meals during semester
• Thanksgiving celebration (fall semester)
• Afternoon tea
• Free hooded sweatshirt for students