Internship Experience Abroad at Stirling Castle, Scotland

Article and photos by Heidi Lindsley

Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum at Stirling Castle, Scotland, where the author fulfilled her internship.

I have always wanted to study abroad. In fact, when choosing which university to attend after high school, one of the primary considerations was the type of study abroad programs available. Travel and immersion in another culture are what I craved. However, since I spent two years at a local university and then transferred to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire as a junior, I was worried that I had missed my chance. At the 2-year university, I completed all of my general requirement courses so that once I did transfer schools, I took only courses going toward my major. During a semester abroad, I probably could not take all the required courses I needed to stay on track and graduate in four years.

During the second semester of my junior year, I received an email with a link to the study abroad programs available at my university. It was through this email that I found a 2-month summer session in Scotland. Scotland and the United Kingdom are destinations that I have always wanted to visit, so I immediately applied to the program. Here was a chance to study abroad without worrying about getting behind on my degree. On June 10, 2016, I set foot on a plane in Chicago with Stirling, Scotland, as my destination. Upon arrival, I soon started my program with the International Summer School (ISS) at the University of Stirling.

Overview of the Internship Program

The ISS program consists of two 4-week blocks. As a part of the program, I was required to take three classes throughout those blocks. I took Contemporary Scottish Literature and an upper-level photography course during the first block, which I chose because they filled graduation and major requirements at UW-Eau Claire. One of the courses offered through the ISS at Stirling during the second block was an international internship. I was initially interested in taking this course because it would fulfill my home university's "service hours" requirement. I signed up for the course and filled out an application describing my areas of experience and interest.

A few months later, I received my internship placement. I was placed with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum at Stirling Castle. My job was researching, writing articles based on what I learned, and posting those articles to Wikipedia. Being an English major hoping to start a career in publishing, I could clearly see the connection between my major, my goals, and my internship placement.

My Daily Life at Stirling Castle

My job was researching Scottish women's roles during the Crimean War and the World Wars. I used online resources and the museum’s archives to find information. As I did the research, I wrote articles on my findings. The articles will be posted to Wikipedia. Later, QR codes will be made that link to the article and placed in the museum so visitors can scan the QR code with their phones and read more information. I only worked about 20 hours weekly, which allowed me plenty of time to travel.

I worked at the museum at Stirling Castle for a month in Scotland, and it was the most interesting and memorable experience I had throughout my entire study abroad program. My workday consisted of going to a castle and researching primarily in their historical archives, allowing me to see and touch pieces of history I never thought I could access. I held a letter written in the 1850s by a Scottish soldier during the Crimean War. I was able to flip through field journals that were used during the First World War. The items I could see and touch were fascinating and an experience like no other I could imagine.

As a part of working in the castle, I was provided complimentary admission, allowing me to visit Stirling Castle when I wasn’t working. Stirling Castle is one of the most important and historically significant castles in the United Kingdom. The city of Stirling is located at the base of the Scottish Highlands, which meant that whichever country wanted to control the Highlands, be that Scotland, England, or Rome, had to gain control of Stirling Castle. Stirling Castle was also the childhood home of Mary Queen of Scots, and it was also the home of Robert the Bruce. It is also just a short way from where William Wallace is more commonly known today as “Braveheart.” His army defeated the English at the Battle of Stirling Bridge. The first record of the castle’s existence dates back to 1,110, and the oldest remaining part of the castle was built in the 1300s. During my time off, I was able to simply roam about the grounds, exploring the castle and learning more about its history.

The author here seated in the Great Hall of Stirling Castle, Stirling, Scotland, where she had unusual access due to her internship.

Lessons Learned and Skills Gained

I do not regret anything about my experience studying abroad. I met many people and made friends from all across the United States. I went outside my comfort zone almost daily, and I have gained so much confidence since returning. Also, having such a remarkable international internship on my résumé will be an asset when I begin to apply for a postgraduate career. Finally, because I completed nine credits in Scotland, I will graduate from my home university a semester early, after only three and a half years.

Recommendations for Future Interns

When you think of studying abroad in college, you usually don’t think about working. However, students have many opportunities to work, intern, and volunteer abroad. I do not believe enough students realize they have this fantastic opportunity. So many internships are available in areas pertaining to every major or career. I am happy that I not only had a memorable experience abroad and a unique internship, but I also participated in an internship directly related to my future career. I feel that my confidence and skills have developed so much as to improve my future career prospects.

A view of the ramparts at Stirling Castle.