Top 4 Reasons to Intern in Scotland

Cover Photo by Steve Collis via Wikimedia Commons

When people think about the UK, they usually think London – and why not? It’s one of the greatest cities in the world. But as one of the busiest and most expensive cities in the world, it’s not for everyone.

Before you pass on the UK, though, check out England’s sibling to the North, Scotland. The city of Glasgow is one of Europe’s true hidden gems. We just launched an Internships program in Scotland, and are thrilled to send our first participants to Glasgow soon!

Check out our Top 4 Reasons to Intern in Scotland, and contact a World Endeavors Adviser today to learn how you can get yourself over to Glasgow — as soon as this summer!

1. The Culture

Live music hums from nearly every cobblestone lane in Glasgow. Buskers line the corners, local and regional bands pack small, intimate venues, and major acts like The Killers and Florence and The Machine rock the legendary O2 ABC. In spring and summer, check out the Riverside Music Festival on the banks of the Kelvin River, or the West End Festival in one of the city’s hippest neighborhoods.

And if music isn’t your thing, there are a whole slew of cultural festivals throughout the year, like the Glasgow Film Festival, the International Comedy Festival, or Bard in the Botanics, a Shakespeare Festival staged in Glasgow’s Botanical Gardens.

See the full list of Glasgow Festivals here!

Florence and The Machine at the ABC Glasgow. Photo by Mcgovern001 via Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons

2. The Greenspace

Glasgo’s namesake, the Gaelic word Glaschu, means “Green Hollow,” or “Dear Green Place.” With over 90 parks and gardens, Glasgow is a haven for lovers of the outdoors, especially in the summer. And with Loch Lomond National Park (yes, THAT Loch Lomond!) just a stone’s throw away, Glasgow offers the best of both City and Country.

Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow. Photo by Argymeg via Wikimedia Commons

3. The History

Glasgow’s been around since the 6th Century, and is not a place that paves over its history. Its cobbelstones, cathedrals, historic homes and graveyards radiate the years gone by, and history lovers will be in no shortage of interesting places to visit. Check out the Glasgow Cathedral (built in 1136 as a Catholic Church, long before the Scottish Reformation) and the nearby Glasgow Necropolis, a sprawling garden cemetery filled with with moss-covered headstones.

Glasgow Cathedral. Photo by Colin via Wikimedia Commons

Glasgow Necropolis. Photo by Steve Collis via Wikimedia Commons

The University of Glasgow, the 4th oldest “Uni” in the world, and the Kelvingrove Museum are great places to get your fill of official and academic history. But if you’re not one for museums and libraries, just by living in Glasgow you’ll be filled with awe for its storied past.

University of Glasgow Cloisters. Photo by Lorna M Campbell via Wikimedia Commons

4. The People

“People Make Glasgow” became the city’s official motto in 2013, for good reason. Living and working among “Glaswegians” or “Weegies” will prove delightful and you may actually pick up some memorable phrases in Glasgow Patter if you are lucky!

If you’re wondering about the Glaswegian sense of humor, check out the famous statue of the Duke of Wellington, which local residents continually don with a traffic cone hat (despite local authorities best attempts to keep him looking regal!)

Duke of Wellington Statue. Photo from Wikimedia Commons, Author Unknown