By Justice Bufford Abroad writer
I’ve always wanted to go to Japan. I’m not sure if it was the art or the culture that attracted me first, but I knew that I was simply fascinated by the country. Yet here I am in Scotland. I really am enjoying my time here.
At first I was a bit bitter about this. I knew little about Scotland and the culture that made Scotland what it is. But as I’ve lived here for a little over a month, I’ve come to appreciate the unique culture that can’t really be explained over the course of a semester.
Much to my surprise, Scotland is steeped in a deep history of nationalism and cultural invasion from Britain, to the point where present day culture—at least at the university—has reached a strange equilibrium of partially Scottish and partially British. I’ve noticed that Scotland is far more unique than I originally pegged it.
The University of Stirling makes full use of its country’s uniqueness to not only bring out the best qualities of Scottish culture and education but also to incorporate the cultures of other countries. In this way, an enriching learning environment is explored that certainly gives me a glimpse at what Scotland looks like in relation to the rest of the world.
Putting aside its large international student base, Stirling has often taken the initiative to highlight different cultures while at the same time retaining its Scottish roots.
Stirling hosted “Japan Week” during our mid-semester break. Here’s the reason why I mentioned Japan in the beginning—Stirling has brought the country to me. Figuratively.
During the week’s planned events, the university hosted the Edinburgh String Quartet, composed of two violins, a viola and a cello, for a short concert “Revolution!” It immediately captured my every sense and was a very intimate experience with the performers as I could feel their emotions through the pieces.
And true to the theme they explained the pieces they performed and their relation to Japan as well as Scotland. Several famous Western composers were performed, hinting at the exoticism of Japanese music, and their Eastern counterparts answered beautifully by imagining quartets in simple and clean tones.
This juxtaposition between East and West truly highlighted the differences between the cultures, creating a sense of disconnect. It was beautiful.
If I had to sum up the evening and the overall purpose of hosting such an event called “Japan Week,” it would be for moments when two seemingly different cultures come together to create something that works well, even though I’m not sure why. But despite not knowing, I’m still fascinated to see how these cultures— one which I’ve always loved and another that I’ve grown to admire—intersect in a way that is unique but still remains true to their origins.
And maybe that’s the point of these GO Programs. Traveling is all fine and dandy, but at the end of the day, it is these moments of intersecting cultures that teach us something amazing.
For me, these interactions that force my culture and other cultures to cross paths result in something beautiful. When this happens, I am reminded that no matter where I am or who I meet, we’re all human. And these things that separate us are not as dividing as they seem. The lens may change, but the beauty does not.
The editorials of The Quill reflect the views of individual members of the editorial board. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the entire editorial board or of the university. The content of the Forum page is the responsibility of the editor in chief and the Forum editor.
