I flew from Edinburgh to Washington DC. When I cam back reluctantly, I left a great big part of me; the summer of 25' those were the best days of my life. This summer I had the fantastic opportunity to study at The George Washington University, I have learned so much about the differences between Scotland and America Education, poverty and the culture. I have grown in confidence and I can't thank the scholarship team, Saint Andrew's Society and my sponsor enough for believing in me, giving me a chance and the opportunity. My motto is Dream, Believe and Achieve. This has been a truly unforgettable experiences, gaining new friends, opening horizons and cultural diversities.
This blog is dedicated to my sponsor, his wife and family, and of course the star of the show Audrey.
Applying for The George Lauder Bursary
Back in January, I sat with my mum and contemplated one of the biggest decisions of my life. I had first heard about the bursary at my Higher National Diploma (HND) Childhood Studies graduation in November of 2024. A previous winner took to the stage and gave a speech to all graduating students about their time at Fife College. During the speech, they mentioned 'The George Lauder Bursary'. I discussed it with my mum and looked more into the bursary.
In January, I sent in my application (which was very late.... it was around the day applications closed! Whoops, but better to be late than never - I wanted to make sure my application was perfect and the university was the right choice for me, also... I was bad for not believing in myself. My self-limiting belief in myself almost made me not send away my application!!
I am so glad I pushed through and sent away my application - never looking back!
It took me a while to find courses which related to my field and current studies which were interesting. I wanted to make sure that I chose a university that promotes opportunities for all. When I was applying for the bursary, I remember looking into several different universities/colleges within a 250-mile radius of New York City. I have to admit, there was something about Washington which drew me in from the get-go. I looked into Georgetown University, George Washington University and a few others in the DC area.
I remember getting an email stating that I had been successful in the first stage of the application process – hurray! I felt proud at the time, even if I didn’t get selected, I was proud I had made it to the interview stage. On the day of the interview, I channelled my inner Taylor Swift *fake it till you make it!* I remember being so nervous, I was interviewed by previous bursary recipients and members of the Saint Andrew’s Society and the Adam Smith Scholarship team. The interviewers were lovely – I confidently said my answers, and I can confirm that what they say is true: if you act confident, you feel confident. I believed in where I wanted to go and study – therefore, my answers felt natural, true and personal. My mum was waiting in my car for me after my interview, and I remember she mentioned seeing a robin – who we believe is Harry, our dog, giving us signs, she said to me, “Harry says you’ve done well.” The next day, I received a phone call from Lyn Gold and the scholarship team… I WAS SELECTED! I was a chosen bursary recipient for 2025… YAY!! I instantly accepted the offer (I tried not to scream on the phone). I was so excited and grateful to be selected. Thank you truly from the bottom of my heart!
In February, the scholarship and college team hosted a lunch event. During lunch, I met all the previous winners and they discussed their time in the USA, Cameron (the other chosen recipient) and William Garner, who kindly sponsors and supports us while we are in the USA - The nicest man on the planet you will ever meet!
Also, I was fortunate to meet and discuss my application with Jim Metcalfe, James Thomson, Sarah-Jane Linton and other members of the Fife College team who came to the lunch to congratulate Cameron and I.
My mum and dad had a cake made for me and surprised me with it before I flew to DC! It was delicious, thank you mum and dad. I wouldn't be where I am today without your support!
Flying to DC!
This section was written shortly after take off in my notes app - I am sitting on the plane flying from Edinburgh to Washington DC. I am currently in the air, sitting in row 32L (the window seat) on the left side of the plane, bound for DC!!! The nerves on a scale of 1 to 10... are about 100! I am so proud of myself for getting on the plane myself - I did it! Here's to our adventure.. I wonder how much my life is going to change. America, watch out. Totally channelling Taylor Swift's fake it till you make it motto right now! I did fake it till I made it.. so it works , thanks Taylor!
I was sad to leave my mum and dad and a little nervous about my university and 'American life' to begin, but little did I know I was in for the greatest and best days of my life. Writing my thoughts/feelings helped me process everything and settle in during my flight. I did listen to Taylor Swift's music during the flight, it helped ease my mind. 'Mean', 'Look What You Made Me Do' and 'Better Than Revenge' are a few of my favourites. Also, I watched Shrek whilst I ate lunch.
I landed in DC in the later afternoon and met my sponsor, who was kindly waiting for me at the airport. He drove around DC and showed me some sights, we had a nice chat and then he took me to his home. I looked around, he showed me my room and I met Audrey. William kindly took me for dinner that evening to a lovely Tex-Mex restaurant, Cactus Cantina. It became one of my favourite restaurants during my time in DC.
First & Second Day - A Tour of DC, 'Paradise Blue', Art Museum and The Canal Town!
William showed me all around his hometown during my first weekend, giving me tips and places to visit. I really enjoyed my sponsor's company, stories and knowledge; his infinite wisdom has inspired me to continue with my studies and to see new/different perspectives in other areas of life. I am indebted to this man - truly.
Saturday 28th June 2025 - FIRST DAY!!! When I woke up, it hit me: I am in DC!
When I first woke up, I was greeted by Audrey. She was studying me. It was as if she said to me: Hello, who are you? Where did you come from? You have lots of new smells.
After spending some of the morning adjusting to waking up in America, I went downstairs to say good morning to my sponsor and have breakfast. I decided to go for a walk around the neighbourhood and upon my travels, came across the National Cathedral. The architecture was beautiful, and the cathedral gardens were so peaceful.
In the evening, my sponsor invited me to go and see an interactive play his friend had written, 'Paradise Blue'.
Studio transforms the Victor Shargai Theatre into a jazz club for Dominique Morisseau’s music-filled drama about resilience, self-preservation, and community. The play, set in Detroit in 1949, takes place in a jazz club that has seen better days, and focuses on Blue, the club’s trumpet-playing owner, who is ready to leave this town and his family demons behind. However, his band and partner have dreams of their own, so when widow Silver enters the picture looking for some business—and some pleasure—love, lust, and legacy collide in the fight for Paradise. The play was just over 2 hours and had a 15-minute intermission. During the break, my sponsor kindly bought some sweet potato pie and wine. Overall, it was such a lovely evening and a great first day in DC!
Sunday, 29th June 2025 - Today, my sponsor took me to the Potomac River Falls. We spoke in the car about where he grew up, I learned about his interests/family life, and not to canoe down the falls (haha!).
I really enjoyed my sponsor's company and stories about his life and the advice he gave me.
Today, my sponsor also had me drive. I was absolutely petrified! Again, adopting *fake it till you make it* haha! I remember my palms sweating, my sponsor's nice car, and me driving?! It was probably the biggest car I have ever driven, so between that and it being the other side of the road - scary! However, I did it! There is more on this further down with pictures!
Thank you for helping me settle in. I appreciated it more than you know.
Driving On The OTHER SIDE Of The ROAD!
AH! I drove on the other side of the road! It was scary, thrilling and such a proud moment.
Although, this may not seem like such a 'big' moment to others for me personally, this was a huge step for my confidence , skills and personal growth.
Thank you for trusting me enough with your car - even when I did not trust myself. Your belief in me is slowing rubbing off onto me.. I got this.
Rules when driving in America - Don't crash, get from A to B and most importantly always do a great parking job. Easy right?!
My Breakfast Buddy - Meow!!
Lots more photos/updates about what Audrey's been up to on her very own special section of the website - she deservers her own page
Audrey definitely agrees - Meow!
My First Full Week in DC!
27th June - 4th July
From sightseeing, going to see 'Paradise Blue' an interactive play, trying sweet potato pie for the first time, meeting new friends and my sponsors family, hearing the amazing music of the Tabla for the first time, spending time with Audrey , starting university and much more!!!
I am so thankful to my sponsor William, he is an amazing, generous and knowledgeable individual. I have thoroughly enjoyed his stories, company and being shown were he grew up and meeting his friends and family. I have felt so welcomed into his home and this has truly opened new experiences and opportunities, I am eternally grateful for all he has done and continues to do for me
There are more photos within the photo and video gallery section of the website.
Here are some snippets from this week, it was so hard to choose a few photos as I have taken lots - please check out the photo/video gallery to see them all! :-
Tabla for Two
Please check out their social media pages and show them some well deserved love and support!
Masood is known for his extraordinary talent in his ability to play the tabla and sing simultaneously - a rare and beautiful talent! Abigail plays the daya (right tabla) and harmonium. Together, they have visited many different parts of the world to share this wonderful healing and powerful music!
Tabla playing is built on bols (syllables) which represent strokes, and these strokes are spoken in a rhythmic language which a tabla player can “speak”. Tabla players can often speak the rhythms before playing them – rhythm is deeply connected to both the mind and body.
Within Indian tradition, Tabla music carries symbolism within rhythm (day and night, seasons and heartbeat), making it more than entertainment; it is a meditation on rhythm. Providing a rhythmic backbone to music.
Today, the tabla can be heard in jazz, electronica, and global fusion projects, and is central to North Indian (Hindustani) classical music.
Their repertoire spans classical Afghan and Indian pieces, Bollywood songs, and Masood’s original compositions (which I was fortunate and privileged to hear), referred to by Tabla for Two as ‘Music for the New World’. Their music is mesmerising, transcendent, and I believe healing – a meditative soundscape of peace.
I was very fortunate to be invited to watch them practice and hear the amazing instruments they play. The instruments were beautiful, and I felt at peace when listening to Masood and Abigail play together. It was as if we had left the world behind and were at peace within those moments, absolutely wonderful. Thank you for allowing me to step into your Tabla-sphere and welcoming me in to share the music and experience.
Thank you for inviting me into your space, into your home and allowing me to learn about and hear the tabla.
I had such a wonderful time, it was lovely to meet you all and a privilege to hear your music. I really hope I have the privilege to hear you play live again one day.
My Second, Third and Fourth Week in DC!
July 4th - July 27th
Fourth of July, trips to the zoo and lots of Audrey pictures!! I'm absolutely loving my time here and this whole experience.
University was in full swing! I have been learning about America's education systems, children's development and how trauma impacts this, plus much more!! There will be more information about this on the George Washington University section of my blog!
Also, I started my volunteering at 'The National Centre For Children and Families (NCCF)', which was a great experience. This has allowed me to learn about the social services systems here and how different/ similar they are to Scotland.
During these weeks, I have been to many great places in DC, met some of my sponsors' lovely family/friends before he flew out of the USA, and of course, met some lovely people in my university courses! It has been a super busy few weeks, and I have lots of photos and memories to share. I visited The People's House, DC Zoo, The National History Museum of American History, The American Holocaust Memorial Museum and The Museum of Natural History. Here are some snippets from this week. It was so hard to choose a few photos as I have taken lots - please check out the photo/video gallery to see them all! :-
I loved the animals at the DC Zoo! The zoo was free to enter, I left a donation. I felt that for free the zoo was amazing to the size of the zoo, all the animals to see - it was definitely such a good day out and accessible for all families!
Yes, you are seeing this right.... iPods are in the museum! HOW?!
I remember my first iPod, I felt so cool with my portable music - haha!
4th July 2025 - Friends & DC Fireworks!🎆
Firstly, MOSQUITOES.... the only thing I will not miss. I woke up on the Fourth with lots of bites... Let's just say my body is a drama queen and does not like mosquito bites. A very big thank you to my sponsor, William, for treating my mosquito bites and dressing them for me - it helped the itching tremendously. PS: Thank you for the bug spray supplies. After this incident, the spray pretty much made them leave me alone!
I wanted to create a separate post for the Fourth of July to thank my sponsors and friends for being so kind and inviting me along to have lunch with them. Rebecca and Max were lovely hosts and so kind to me. I would love to go back at some point to say thank you.
July Fourth in DC was an experience I will never forget. I was able to spend it with some of my sponsors' close friends in Virginia and see the DC city fireworks by night, we had a nice lunch, and I was able to hear some amazing stories from their lives, meet their dogs and enjoy some great company! The homemade cake was delicious - I wish I could have brought that home with me, haha! The pasta and wine were great too! Such a lovely bunch, and it was a privilege to be in all your company. Definitely a Fourth of July I won't forget! My sponsor was so kind to me and has been an absolutely amazing, kind and generous man - I am so grateful every day and feel very lucky to have met him.
A True Friend
My Fifth Week in DC post goes to a special friend.
See more updates on Audrey's own section of this website - she is a very special cat indeed!
In light of it recently being International Cat Day, to Audrey. Audrey's been there throughout my whole DC journey, from watching me unpack my suitcase.. To then live and sleep in it, literally making it her personal bed! Audrey was my friend during all the university late nights of work, when I handed in assessments, and she celebrated with me when I received feedback. She was definitely one of my biggest supporters.
Meowing to welcome me home.
She was always there, making it her nightly ritual to come beside me and cuddle. Yes, she had a time schedule I had to follow! Audrey showed me it's okay to love other animals after Harry's passing. A friend forever - see more on my Audrey section to see all the suitcase photos and updates!
A welcome home from university, the minute I opened the door I heard Audrey saying hello!
Week Six!
Six weeks in nearly seven. This week I had two assessments and a presentation for my university courses. I decided to work from home with the best company - Audrey was making sure I was doing my work, supervising meow!
Also, I was able to do two days of volunteering at the NCCF during this week.
Founded in 1915, the National Centre for Children and Families (NCCF) has built a long-standing reputation for serving homeless families, victims of domestic abuse and at-risk youth through holistic, wraparound services. The organisation’s structure and program models are widely regarded as benchmarks in the human services field across the Washington, DC metropolitan region.
The NCCF offers a broad spectrum of support services aimed at vulnerable children, youth and families across Washington, DC and nearby areas, including Bethesda, MD. They offer emergency shelter and transitional housing for homeless families, support for teen parents and youth transitioning to independence.
Also, they offer therapeutic and traditional foster care, including adoption services and in-home services such as counselling, community-based prevention programs which drive academic achievements, parental engagement, economic stability and family health.
The Innovative Family Connections (IFC) Program assists families under DC Superior Court supervision due to child abuse and/or neglect. It provides therapeutic foster care, reunification services, guardianship, adoption, housing assistance, mentoring, tutoring, in-home services and advocacy for both parents. IFC is noted as the second-largest care provider in DC, serving over 200 children. The NCCF’s mission is “to create total, healthy living environments for vulnerable children, youth and families, and the quality of life which empowers them to thrive and demonstrate responsibility.”
Thank you for having me for a short time over the summer! I really enjoyed my time with you all! I hope to return one day and work with you all again soon!
Below are the NCCF social media pages, check them out!
My university courses are nearly over - such a bittersweet feeling. I have really enjoyed my time at university, I have been fortunate to meet amazing people during my time at university and gain valuable insights from my professors and new friends. I have gone into a lot more detail over on the George Washington University section of my blog! In this section I discuss all things about my courses, what I got up to in class, my professors and assignments!
Dad Comes to Visit!
007 and 057!
July 31st - August 8th🎂🎉
My dad came to visit me for my birthday! We went to the zoo, lots of museums, sat on James Bond's snow vehicle at the Bond in Motion exhibition, took a bus tour around the DC monuments and did lots of shopping! It was really nice to have a chauffeur (sometimes, as I was on airport pick up duty and drove a lot!) and chef again - haha! It was such a fun and busy week!!
We went to the James Bond 'Bond In Motion' Exhibition, located within The National Spy Museum. My dad and I really enjoyed the museum and the exhibition. When we were given our spy codes/names, it made the exhibition a lot more interactive. My dad, of course, being the better spy... how does making one mistake make me a bad spy... knocking down my points was shocking!
My dad really enjoyed Dakshin Indique, he liked the chicken tikka masala curry - so much so, we went three times during his week's visit! It was so nice having my dad visit for my birthday. Thank you to my sponsor and his family for allowing my dad to stay in their home.
MY BIRTHDAY IN DC!
August 1st in DC, we went to the zoo and L'Ardente for dinner to try the famous 40 layer lasagne - can confirm it was delicious!!!
Someone wanted to see what it felt like sitting on the other side of the steering wheel. PS: I personally think I was a great chauffeur, I mean... I navigated the highways at night on the airport run, took one wrong turn but, found my home - haha beep beep!
The New President - A Trip to The People's House
For someone who said they hadn't been golfing since the 80s...... getting at least 4 holes in 1 (and on the first hole too).. says different!!
Last Couple of Days Spent with My Sponsor
My sponsor took Cameron (the other bursary recipient) and I to Little Washington, where we were very fortunate to meet his friend Mary-Sherman, who joined us for lunch at Patty O's Cafe in Little Washington. The food was absolutely delicious and so was the mimosa!
Mary talked to us about many different things from her homelife, horses, her job at GW, discussed what we had learned/studied over the summer and asked both Cameron and I about our future plans.
She is a professor of creative writing at George Washington University. I was intrigued by her unique teaching style, which requires students to use only pen and paper for note-taking in class. Mary-Sherman explained that she believes students learn and engage more deeply without technology. Reflecting on this, I agree with her— I find that I focus better when my laptop is switched off and I have decided to adopt this approach with my university studies this year.
I’m so grateful to my sponsor for treating us to such a lovely lunch and for introducing us to Mary-Sherman. It was a pleasure to meet her and to stroll through the beautiful grounds of The Inn.
Later, William showed us the grounds of Foxcroft, driving around the grounds he explained that his mother had attended the private school when she was younger. It was fascinating to hear about the school and his family while seeing the grounds in person.
Virginia is truly beautiful. Thank you William, for sharing some of these special places of your past/present and telling us about where you grew up/about your family.
It was truly an honour to be able to hear your stories, share your knowledge and to have your trust. It was invaluable. Truly, I will never forget you, this experience and everything you have taught me.
Flying back to Scotland
A very very hard day, I found it very difficult getting on the plane to Scotland, it was a hard goodbye. Although it is not a goodbye.. it's see you later DC.
Washington DC, America, you have changed me.
Thank you to my sponsor and his family for everything: from welcoming me into your home, Audrey, driving your car, allowing me to attend university and volunteering, words are not enough for how grateful I am. Thank you for opening doors I never thought possible, it was an honour to be a DC citizen over the summer living as a American citizen, living the American dream.
I felt I fit right in and have left a piece of me in America. As Taylor Swift says some day I will be living in a big old city - featured at the end of the video, I hope to see DC again very soon.
See You Soon DC
Thank you for everything. DC has completely changed everything for me - my perspectives, opportunities, friendships and much more which I am eternally grateful and indebted to you for. Thank you.
I will see you again very soon DC. The summer of 25' best days of my life.