Through castles, cathedrals, live theatre and cultural experiences, Asbury University students discovered how Scotland tells its stories while building connections beyond the classroom.
Asbury University students traveled across Scotland on Aug. 3-15 for “Scotland and the Art of Story,” an immersive travel course led by Professor of Communication Dr. Jim Shores and Professor Carol Anderson.
Throughout the journey, students explored the relationship between storytelling, culture and the arts while experiencing some of Scotland’s most significant historic and cultural sites. The group visited castles, palaces, cathedrals and ruins, including Stirling Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Lindisfarne Abbey. Students also explored Rosslyn Chapel, climbed Arthur’s Seat and experienced Scottish music and dance.
Through immersive experiences with Scotland’s people, places and creative traditions, students moved beyond studying storytelling in the classroom to experiencing how stories shape communities and cultures firsthand.
A highlight of the trip was attending performances at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the world’s largest arts festival, where students encountered a wide range of theatrical approaches and storytelling traditions.
The students were engaged, enthusiastic, and fun. We got to see so many castles, palaces, and cathedrals, while taking in excellent theatre at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.”
For Shores, one memory captured the spirit of the experience: students dancing a traditional Scottish ceilidh (jig) beside the ocean while classmates played penny whistle, pipes and drums.
For Gentry Osbourn ’27, Scotland itself became part of the story.
“What I loved most was the overall beauty Scotland had to offer, including its historic buildings, exotic nature, and every community we visited,” Osbourn said. “I enjoyed every second of being fully immersed in the culture and seeing firsthand how they celebrate music and the arts!”
Luke Ulmer ’29 particularly appreciated the craftsmanship and architecture he encountered throughout the country.
“I think seeing the amazing structures across Scotland was the most enjoyable thing for me,” Ulmer said. “No matter where we went, I could count on one building being made with true craft and with the intent of being beautiful.”
The Scotland experience continues Asbury’s emphasis on learning beyond campus through Cross-Cultural Engagement opportunities. Students can build on that tradition through the upcoming “Storytelling in London” travel course, May 4-15, 2027.
Also led by Shores and Anderson, the London course will explore theatre, visual art, architecture and history, including devised theatre study with Complicité Theatre Company, service learning with a local church and visits to museums, royal palaces, historic sites and gardens. The three-credit THA 393 course is eligible to count toward Asbury’s Cross-Cultural Engagement requirement.
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