Location

Edinburgh, Crieff, Fort William, Oban, Scotland

Program Description

Together we will study the connection between nature, creativity, and well-being across the lifespan – from childhood or old age - as you encounter the natural landscape of Scotland, with its rich history and wild spaces. This course involves an exploration of the relationship between the natural world and our mental health, psychological development, creativity, resilience, and overall well-being. Students will become academically and experientially familiar with the mental health and psychological benefits of connecting to the natural world through an examination of the research, reflective discussion and exercise, and experiential activities both pre-departure and in Scotland.

Pre-departure will include several Canvas modules, small group meetings, and activities related to students' personal relationship to nature, nature-connection, and creative activities. Students will have the opportunity to self-reflect and enjoy nature-based well-being practices before we depart for Scotland. Students will begin to gain insight into how nature impacts them personally and might inspire them professionally in the future. This course is highly experiential, will invite students outside their comfort zone, and will cultivate a sense of curiosity, awe, and wonder as we partner learning with exploration. Students will quickly discover that nature is more than just beautiful...it's necessary for healthy development, mental health and well-being! It's also an important part of cultural identity, meaning-making, and sense of place. Terms like biophilia, place attachment, nature connectedness, and nature deficit are part of this discussion in order to first understand the human connection and then develop an academic, practical and experiential understanding of how that connection influences our thoughts, actions, emotions, and relationships.

Additional in-country experiences will reflect nature across the lifespan and include time spent with a wonderful woodland nature kindergarten where sense of wonder and curiosity abound, a creative opportunity with a nature-focused art retreat, and mindfulness and forest bathing in the national park. We will explore all that nature provides for us through wild foraging and swimming, community gardens, and public arboretum spaces. We will connect with people who are preserving nature for future generations, coastal ranger hikes, national parks' efforts to connect people to the parks, and wildlife excursions. All of this will be through the lens of the Scottish people and culture.

This program received the 2024 The Forum on Education Abroad: Award for Excellence in Education Abroad Curriculum Design.

For more information, visit the program's Instagram page.

“And at the end of the day, your feet should be dirty, your hair messy and your eyes sparkling.” - Shanti

Location Description

Scotland is an extraordinary land of castles and lochs, forests and sea, myths and legends.

Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland and the seat of Scottish government, is known for its medieval street layout, historic buildings, and an intentional preservation of green space. Situated on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth, Edinburgh offers a well-balanced mix of vibrant cityscapes with numerous opportunities for immersion in nature. In addition to being a thriving urban center, Edinburgh is also home to Arthur’s Seat, the highest point of an extinct volcano, which offers a memorable, panoramic view of the city and is accessible via a scenic hike.

With this course, we are on the move and always out in the natural beauty of Scotland. While the weather is completely unpredictable and can change seasons throughout each day, we will be fully immersed in the natural spaces, with time in the woodlands of Crieff, the trails and nature preservation areas of Cairngorms National Park, coastlines and sea of Oban, the mountains and lakes of Fort William, and all sorts of incredible natural spaces.

Director

Debbie C Sturm | sturmdc@jmu.edu | Graduate Psychology

Renee Staton | statonar@jmu.edu | Graduate Psychology

Robin Anderson | ander2rd@jmu.edu | Graduate Psychology

Accommodations

Accommodations will include short hostel stays in the capital city of Edinburgh, with close proximity to most of the major historic and cultural sites. While working with Cairngorms National Park, the Art Hut, and Bushcraft Bairns in Crieff, we will stay at a sustainable farmhouse with easy access to the town, a farmer's market, and a large in-home kitchen for enjoying local fruit, vegetables, cheese and breads. While in Fort William and Oban, we'll be staying in hostels, with wonderful amenities and close proximity to the sea, shopping, restaurants, and amazing scenery. All lodging will include shared rooms (varies) and the hostels include breakfast. We will have internet access.

Students will be allocated a weekly meal stipend to cover approximately 8-10 meals a week. We will also have several groups meals, packed lunches, and shared meals during some of our site visits. The hostels include breakfast daily.

Additional Items to Consider

We will be spending every day outside in nature so you'll want to be comfortable enough with variations in weather, terrain, and activity.

Applicant Criteria

Applicants must have a GPA minimum of 2.0.

Open to all majors and academic levels.

PSYC majors should consult with their advisors on the appropriate section. No requirements for other majors.

Open to non-JMU students