Becky Sokolow's Experience as a Thouron Scholar

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I have now been living in Edinburgh, Scotland for five months, and in that time I have had many chances to consider how lucky I am to be here on the Thouron Award.  Every time I look up at the majestic buildings that appear to be straight out of a Harry Potter movie set, or gaze out at Arthur’s Seat looming over the Meadows, a park right near my flat, I marvel at the fact that I somehow get to live in this beautiful place.  I chose to come to Edinburgh for many reasons, including that it would be somewhere totally new for me.  The Thouron Award has allowed me the freedom to explore Scotland and learn about its unique history and traditions, from going up to the Isle of Skye in the Highlands, to attending a Celtic soccer match in Glasgow and a national rugby match in Edinburgh, to touring castles in Inverness, Stirling, St. Andrews, and Edinburgh, to taking part in Hogmanay (New Year’s in Edinburgh), and Burns Night, to volunteering in a Scottish high school history class.  I have been able to travel elsewhere as well, from seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland to visiting the United Nations in Geneva.

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But all of this serves as a backdrop for the biggest gift of all: academic exploration.  I graduated Penn as a Diplomatic History major keen to work on current issues of international affairs.  The Thouron Award gave me the chance to study International Relations—not only to learn the foundational information and skills that will allow me to work in the field, but also to explore and learn what it is that I like about the discipline and what I don’t.  This ability to explore has been invaluable in guiding me toward a future path.  I have also learned all the more from being able to study International Relations outside of the United States.  Every day I get to hear outside perspectives on international affairs, and the role of the United States in them.  In addition, I have taken advantage of various opportunities outside of the classroom to learn more about global politics. I have heard the Irish Consul in Edinburgh speak about Brexit and the Slovak Ambassador speak about the refugee crisis, I have visited the Scottish Parliament to hear a committee debate about the implications of Brexit for human rights legislation, and I will be going on a university-sponsored trip to Brussels to visit NATO, the European Parliament, and other institutions.  In this way I am getting a truly international experience, and can observe first-hand how other systems work. 

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My fellowship year has been a holistic learning experience, and one that I value greatly.  It has been challenging at times to learn a new discipline, but I have taken a great deal from facing these challenges and I know that I am better prepared for the future I want because of my time in the United Kingdom.  And, as a bonus, I have been having a blast. I would recommend this experience to anyone in a heartbeat.

Becky Sokolow (C '15) is currently living and studying in Scotland on a Thouron Award.  She is studying for an MSc in International Relations at the University of Edinburgh.  Before beginning her fellowship, she worked with College Possible, an AmeriCorps program, at George Washington High School in Northeast Philadelphia

The views expressed in contributed blog posts belong solely to the indicated author and do not necessarily respresent those of the Center for Undergraduate Research & Fellowships or those of the University of Pennsylvania.

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