Hi, I’m Daphne. I am from Germany and study Journalism and Film and Media. The Ceilidh is the third event from the Stirling School of English that I have attended.
I really enjoy the events organised by the School because they always bring people from different cultural backgrounds together and enable them to celebrate these differences while also introducing them to parts of Scottish culture. Traditional dishes, music and, in this case, even a demonstration by a bagpiper spark conversation and excitement.
Being from a different country myself and mostly having friends from the EU, the event made me feel more connected to Scotland than I normally experience in my daily routine. Also, it offered the opportunity to chat with other demographics and members of the community that I usually do not encounter in my student life.
For example, I talked to someone from Ukraine who used to be a photographer about photography while taking photos of the event. Especially the dancing felt like an easy way to connect with people as everyone was trying to learn the dances, and mistakes were not only unavoidable but even a good way to have a laugh together. Therefore, I experience the events of the School of English as an open, friendly and welcoming environment that I like to return to.