Right now, I am about two weeks into my year abroad in a small village in eastern France. I am working in a local primary school, helping teach English to the students. One of the first questions I have been asked in almost every single class has been, 'How far away exactly is Scotland?'. My answer was always slightly vague: 'Oh, it’s not too far, but it takes about two hours to get there from here on a plane'.
This question always made me smile, as the reaction from the students - as many are quite young - was always a look of amazement or wonder. It made me feel like I came from a magical, foreign land!
It also prompted me to think about all the things that I have been blessed with whilst living in Scotland. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love living in France and I am excited by all the opportunities that I have this year, but there is something about Scotland that is, indeed, a little bit magical. All it takes is for you to stop rushing around with everyday tasks and to stop and appreciate the smaller things.
For the past two years I have been studying for a degree in French at the University of Edinburgh. This city has to be one of my favourite places in the entire world. If you are lucky enough to be there as winter is turning into spring, take a walk through the meadows - the blossom trees that line the pathways are so breathtaking that you can't help but just stand still and appreciate them!
Where is your favourite place in the world and why?
