Studying Abroad in Scotland

My name is Xander Stultz and I am an Urban Planning and Sustainability student at Ohio University. This summer, I will be going on a study abroad trip to Edinburgh, Scotland! The program lasts from the very end of May to the very end of June, and I'll be fulfilling two credits toward my major.

The program is heavily themed to environmental sustainability and urban planning, which are my passions. Some of the key topics are urban planning and governance, infrastructure design and management, resource provisioning and conservation, urban ecology, and social and environmental justice. I'll be attending lectures by professors from the University of Edinburgh and I'll be taking frequent trips around the city to see implementation of green infrastructure first hand!

What I think will be most valuable about this experience is a different perspective on my field. So far, everything I have learned about sustainability and urban planning has been EXTRAORDINARILY America-centric, and the United States isn't the only country in the world. There are more cities out there that are taking unique steps to combat age-old issues such as urban redevelopment and gentrification, but also more pressing problems such as renewable energy and global climate change. Gaining another perspective on these issues and getting hands-on experience with how solutions are being tested will be critical to helping American cities move toward more sustainable choices and healthier lifestyles. We have a lot we can learn, but we can do it.

I'm currently working on applying for scholarships to help fund this experience, and I'll do my best to earn as much as I can. Any help is appreciated, and I can assure you I will put what I learn on this trip to good use.