Hi everyone, I’m McKenna! I’m a rising junior at the University of Pittsburgh, with a double major in Economics and History and a minor in Law, Criminal Justice, and Society. Alongside this, I am completing a certificate in Medieval and Renaissance Studies and another in Public and Professional Writing.
This month I traveled to Edinburgh on an abroad program to study Magic & Witchcraft in Scotland. While not the focus of my studies, this program topic will provide insight for my studies in History and Law, Criminal Justice, and Society. While on site, we will learn how injustices were carried out against certain groups of people (85% women) through accusations and persecutions of witchcraft. Two courses make up the study abroad program: Magical Landscapes by Dr. Elise Ryan and Magical Nature by Dr. Hannah Johnson. The first is a writing intensive course, meant to strengthen our writing skills and express our connections while writing in place. The second course is centered on the historical background and significance of the witchcraft trials and accusations. Overall, these courses are meant to interconnect and build on one another, especially about how magical landscapes can influence the historical and cultural beliefs of a specific place and time.
Most importantly, this program will feed my history-loving brain. Every since I was little, I have been passionate about history and found every opportunity to learn more about it. Although concentrating on ancient history within my major, I am fascinated by the Medieval and Renaissance times as well. Specifically, I enjoy analyzing how and why certain things happened in history, including the witchcraft trials. Before this trip, I have only briefly studied the Salem Witchcraft Trials from America. So, I am very interested to compare the two witchcraft trials historically and culturally.
As a person who has traced their ancestry back to Scotland, I am excited to personally immerse myself into Scottish culture, while directly exploring the breathtaking sights Scotland has to offer. Earlier this year over spring break, I went on another study abroad program reflecting on the times of The Troubles in Northern Ireland. Besides this, I have never been on a study abroad for an entire month. So I can definitely say that I am a bit nervous about navigating around a new city with people I haven’t met before. There are 13 others on this trip including myself. Many of us come from differing areas of study and interests. I hope to connect more with them since we have so much time together this month.
One culture shock that I’ve noticed while here is that Scotland, along with Ireland, does not use stop signs or stoplights like in America. Instead, there are tons of roundabouts where vehicles from each side has to yield to oncoming traffic. I haven’t figured out yet if this way of arranging traffic speeds up or slows down the flow of cars. On a similar vein, I have realized that there are no large trucks or SUVs on Scottish roads. Similar versions of SUVs from the US are driven here, such as the Hyundai Tuscon, but it seems that cars are either elongated or shrunk in size. A possible reason for this is the nature of the roads, which are a lot smaller than American ones. I’m intrigued about other culture shocks that I might experience in my remaining time in Scotland.
Over Christmas break, I was gifted a digital camera and have been familiarizing myself with the aperture and shutter speed buttons. Although I have been on the trip for a few weeks already, I have taken around 2,500 pictures on my Canon Rebel. That is excluding the pictures on my iPhone camera. As one who is absolutely enamored by historical architecture, I have loved getting the perfect shots that I can share!