顶级国产视频

Eleanor Metz 鈥�27 long dreamed of exploring archaeological sites across the United Kingdom. The 顶级国产视频 & Marshall College anthropology major made this a reality, not once, but twice. 

Metz first crossed the Atlantic in 2025 for a summer in Bath, England, where she studied Roman history. She returned to the U.K. this past spring for a full semester at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, venturing to the ancient landscapes she鈥檇 only ever read about.

Read Metz's firsthand account of her experience as she reflects on stepping out of her comfort zone, gaining confidence as an independent traveler, and exploring her passion for Neolithic archaeology.

As told by Eleanor Metz '27

I knew during my first year at F&M that I wanted to study abroad in the beautiful country of Scotland. It鈥檚 not just Brave, my favorite Disney movie, or my love of Outlander that made this country my top choice for a semester overseas. As an anthropology major with a focus in archaeology, Scotland has always fascinated me. I have a passion for Neolithic archaeology of the British Isles, the study of the transition from hunter-gatherer lifestyles to settled, farming-based societies. I am especially interested in how ritual intersected with daily life for early agricultural communities thousands of years ago. 

During my junior year, I finally got my opportunity to spend a semester in Scotland while studying at University of Edinburgh. Leaving all my friends and family to spend over four months in a foreign country was a leap of faith, and I channeled Merida [a Scottish princess in Brave] for one of the bravest things I鈥檝e done. The first week was intimidating, stressful, and lonely: I was in a new city and adjusting to a different culture, enrolling at a new university, figuring out the logistics of an overseas phone plan, budgeting for groceries, and even navigating a mice infestation in my Edinburgh apartment. But then things got better: I went to an orientation for visiting students like me, which is where I met the people who would become my best friends. We came from all over 鈥� the U.S., Germany, Canada, and Finland 鈥� and we were all new to Scotland and looking to meet new people. I went from knowing absolutely no one in Edinburgh to having a great support network of friends.

Beyond the classrooms of Edinburgh, my studies in Scotland allowed me to experience Neolithic archaeology firsthand. I visited the Orkney Islands, which is famous for its Neolithic archaeological sites such as Skara Brae, the oldest preserved village in Europe; the Ring of Brodgar, a henge and stone circle; the Standing Stones of Stenness, a monument; and the Maes Howe passage tomb, a burial monument. I visited the first three sites on a solo biking trip on the main island in February. This trip was extremely meaningful to me; it was a dream of mine to visit Skara Brae and see a Neolithic settlement dating back 5,000 years. The people of Skara Brae were among the first farming communities of the British Isles. Not only did they build impressive ritual structures, such as standing stones and passage tombs aligned to the solstices, but they also built elaborate craft furniture, jewelry, and even a sewage system demonstrating an advanced understanding of hygiene. Visiting Skara Brae helped me visualize the people who used the ritual sites I enjoy studying, which was incredibly inspiring. 

Achaeological sites Skara Brae, the oldest preserved village in Europe. Photo credit: Eleanor Metz '27

During my spring break, I solo-traveled to France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. I stayed in hostels, which is something I had never imagined myself doing. It was intimidating to travel to places where I did not speak the native language very well. I felt so accomplished when I spoke my first sentence in French, figured out the Paris metro, managed the local bus routes in Bruges, and took regional trips within the Netherlands. And while I enjoyed these excursions, it felt like I was back home when I returned to Scotland after two weeks. 

The days, weeks, and months of my semester flew by too fast. Each day I would wake up and walk to the university鈥檚 George Square campus, passing the same shops and cafes day in and day out. I miss the ordinariness of going about my day, going to classes, cooking meals for myself, and living in Edinburgh as a student. In my mind, I can still smell the crisp Scottish air and hear the sound of the bagpipes coming from the . I miss the liveliness and excitement spilling out from the pubs along the Cowgate and on Saturday nights. Most of all, I miss my friends, with whom I explored the rugged and beautiful Highlands, celebrated birthdays, and built a supportive international friend group. 

My semester abroad in Scotland was, in many ways, the best and hardest part of my college journey. Studying abroad involved taking a risk and moving out of my comfort zone, but it has been the most formative part of my college experience. I was challenged over and over again in numerous aspects, transforming me and making me realize my fullest potential. I left Scotland sad that my time there was over but knowing that I had once-in-a-lifetime experiences, met lifelong friends, and had transformed into a resilient, adventurous, and independent young woman.