Hello, my name is Brianna Jentz and I have a Mountain Dew addiction.  In the United States, this isn't a big deal.  Actually I think it may be encouraged.  Before I left the United States, I didn't realize that it is not that popular in Scotland and the rest of Europe.  During the entire semester, I only had one can which I found at a tiny bakery while in the Highlands.  Instead of Mountain Dew, the Scots drink a highly caffeinated soda called Irn Bru.  Personally, I thought it tasted like a stale orange cream soda.  Needless to say, it didn't satisfy my addiction.  But I did develop a tea addiction which I was in Scotland which hasn't subsided.

Since the age of ten, I had wanted to study abroad.  I don't remember the precise moment that I decided this, but over the years this yearning to go somewhere new increased.  I wanted to gain more of a worldly view as well as more travel experience.  I was really nervous about booking my plane ticket.  Seriously, what if I accidentally ended up sending myself to Stockholm instead of Edinburgh?  I'm not sure how this could happen, but I was worried about it.  My advice would be to be organized, but also remember that everything that happens is a chance to learn.  I chose WIS because it was very reasonable on my checkbook and because it was located in the United Kingdom.  My time in Scotland was a wonderful experience.  Experiencing the majesty of the Highlands and Loch Ness, planning a day trip to St. Andrews, and exploring the wonders of Edinburgh were only a few of the highlights of the time that I spent in Scotland.  Seeing the "Importance of Being Earnest" and "Romeo and Juliet" at the Royal Lyceum theater where David Tennant played before his "Doctor Who" career was an experience full of theatrical greatness.  I would definitely recommend checking out the Edinburgh Botanical Gardens and Mary King's Close.  I also traveled to London where I saw a wonderful production of "Wicked" and went on a six day tour of Ireland.  Overall, it was as magical as I could have imagined.