My personal experience with what I would consider the Scottish “Uni-Style”.

Now that I’ve been in Scotland for many months, I feel like I can finally say that I have a good idea of what the “Uni-Style” actually is. AKA the trends for college students in Aberdeen, Scotland. Of course, this can only really be relevant to the specific university where I am currently, however I do think some aspects of style are applicable all around the UK. 

My first week here I noticed a lot of things. We hadn’t started classes yet, but there were plenty of people walking around campus. Most of them were international students, so I couldn’t really gauge what the “style” in question would be, but there were aspects of international fashion that I found applied to the UK as well. As it so happens though, most of the international students I meet here (who are not Canadian or American) are from Europe, so there may be a correlation between UK fashion and just general European fashion. 

#1 – Tote Bags

Tote bags seem to be the most noticeable difference between the UK and US. I know that it varies by university in the US, but many people opt for a backpack rather than a tote bag. OU in particular, has what I would consider as majority backpacks and few tote bags. In Aberdeen, the tote bags are a fashion staple. Oftentimes I see girls with a tote bag, and guys with a satchel, rather than backpacks. However–I do still see backpacks. Backpacks aren’t unicorn status, but the vast majority of people do go for a tote bag. I do feel like I should note that these are quality tote bags. I see so many in stores and they have much more of a variety than I’m used to. The one most common is the Longchamp style (I don’t think they are actually Longchamps though).  

#2 – Trench Coat

To me, the idea of even wearing a coat most of the time is new. Oklahoma has temperatures that really only require a fleece or a light jacket (if anything) in the winter, so being in Aberdeen where the temperatures are quite a lot colder, I see a lot of coats which is a new experience for sure. Even in the Spring, it still can be in the 40s temperature-wise. One thing that really strikes me though is that even with the rainy and windy weather, the coats worn are “fashionable”. The students who I think have style (which is subjective I know) seem to brave the weather in a trench coat rather than a puffer. I’ll talk about the puffer below, but them choosing trench coats is incredibly interesting to me. If I had to guess, I’d say that most people here have both a puffer and a fashion-coat which is probably a trench. They’re not all the same kind, but rain or shine, the trenches are out. 

#3 – Black Puffer

This is honestly the biggest one on this list. Everyone and their whole family owns a black puffer jacket. They love their puffers here. The temperature makes it so that a black puffer fits the weather at any given moment. And since it may rain spontaneously, the fact that they’re waterproof makes it easy to stay dry. I see puffers of all lengths, on everyone. I seriously went to a football/soccer game recently and the entire stadium looked like ants in their black puffers. I did totally cave and get myself one early into the semester becuase I realized they’re actually very practical. (This has trained me to be really good at spotting my friends’ specific puffers too.)

#4 – Boots

Another thing to do with the weather I think is wearing boots. I see a lot of girls specifically who wear tall fashion-esque boots to class (not hiking boots is what I mean by that). This isn’t me saying that there aren’t any other shoes, because there are probably the same variety of shoes as there are at OU, it’s just an observation that boots are more popular. I think the biggest difference in the attire here and the attire at OU is how the weather will make you dress. In Oklahoma I’d be a lot more likely to see people in sandals in the fall or spring than I would here in Aberdeen. But the vice versa is true where I think it would be more likely to see people in boots in the summer here in Aberdeen than in the summer in Oklahoma. 

Those are my top four observations in what I would consider the “Uni Style” here in Aberdeen. Of course, this doesn’t cover the entirety of Scotland, let alone the UK. It may be very local to Aberdeen but it’s still one factor of culture I find very interesting!

That’s all!

Much love, 

Olivia Bird

Every semester, I usually write about OU Cousins because it’s a more traditional international organization, but this year I wanted to talk about the OU Spanish Club, which has also been impactful during my college career. Even though I’m no longer taking Spanish classes, I’ve kept going to meetings because it’s one of the few places where I can still use the language without the pressure of being graded. It feels way more natural, and I’ve realized I actually retain more when I’m just talking, listening, and being part of the environment.

I originally started going in my freshman year just for extra credit, but it quickly turned into something I genuinely enjoy. This semester, I went to their Valentine’s movie night, where they showed San Valentín, and it was interesting to see how relationships and family dynamics are portrayed differently compared to what I’m used to. I also watched Todo Sobre Mi Madre, which honestly challenged me a bit more, but it helped me pick up on tone, emotion, and vocabulary, and actually understanding parts of it felt really rewarding. One of the most valuable meetings I attended, for me, was the Medical Spanish Workshop this semester. I just started working in HR for a healthcare company, which made going to this workshop feel relevant. We rotated through stations where we practiced patient intake questions, basic symptom descriptions, and how to explain instructions clearly in Spanish. I loved how practical the workshop was because these are real conversations that happen every day. In my role as a recruiter, we hire for places like Puerto Rico, where we often receive resumes in Spanish and work with more Spanish-speaking applicants. This workshop helped me feel more confident reviewing resumes, recognizing key terms, and communicating more effectively. Spanish Club has given me a way to keep building these skills while feeling connected, and that’s why I’ve kept coming back even after I stopped taking Spanish classes.

International Topic

Lately, I’ve been paying a lot more attention to how expensive travel has become, especially with how quickly prices seem to be rising. One of the biggest drivers behind this is the increase in jet fuel costs. Fuel can make up around 25 to 30 percent of an airline’s operating expenses, so when fuel prices rise, airlines almost always pass those costs on to consumers. Over the past year, jet fuel prices have increased significantly due to global supply issues and geopolitical tensions, and airlines have responded by raising ticket prices. In some cases, international airfare has gone up by 15 to 25 percent compared to previous years, which is a noticeable jump for travelers Another major factor is the shrinking presence of low-cost carriers like Spirit Airlines. Airlines like Spirit helped keep prices competitive by offering extremely low fares, sometimes under 50 dollars for domestic flights. When those types of airlines reduce routes or exit markets, studies have shown that airfare on those routes can increase by around 20 percent because there is less price competition. Even though Spirit mainly operates in the U.S., its impact carries into international travel because domestic pricing influences how airlines structure connecting and long-haul flights. I’m seeing this play out in real life with my own family. My dad and grandparents are traveling to London and Paris this summer, and they’ve told me their flights were hundreds of dollars more expensive than expected. On top of that, hotels and transportation in cities like London have also increased, making the overall trip much more expensive than similar trips in the past. It’s also making me rethink my own plans. I’ve been hoping to plan a trip to London this fall, but with round-trip flights now often ranging from 900 to over 1,200 dollars, it’s something I have to seriously consider. If prices don’t start to drop, it might not be realistic. Overall, rising fuel costs and fewer budget airline options are making travel more expensive and less accessible, both in the U.S. and around the world.

International Topic

Starting my first job in talent acquisition has made me realize that recruiting is not the same everywhere. As I get closer to graduating and plan to pursue recruiting full-time, I have become more interested in how hiring changes across cultures. My international human resources and business classes have made me think beyond the U.S. process and ask questions like, “What systems do other countries use?” How many interviews are normal? Are interviews virtual or face-to-face? What does a professional resume look like in another country?

In the U.S., recruiting is often very system-driven. In my role, we use platforms like iCIMS to track candidates, schedule interviews, and manage communication. A typical process may include a recruiter screen, a hiring manager interview, and sometimes a panel interview. Resumes are usually concise, and candidates are discouraged from including personal information like photos, age, or marital status. In Europe, the process can look different depending on the country. In Germany, France, Spain, and Italy, CVs are often more detailed and may include a professional photo, which would usually feel inappropriate in the U.S. In the United Kingdom, CVs are closer to the U.S. style, and photos are usually avoided. Larger global companies may use systems like Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, Greenhouse, or iCIMS, but local companies may use country-specific job boards and more direct communication. In Japan, hiring can be even more formal. Applicants often use a structured resume format called a rirekisho, and interviews may focus heavily on professionalism, respect, and long-term fit. In Latin America and places like Puerto Rico, language and culture also matter. Since my company hires in healthcare markets where we may receive resumes in Spanish or work with fewer English-speaking applicants, I have started to see how important it is to understand more than just qualifications.

Recruiting across cultures requires flexibility. It is not just about filling a role but also understanding how candidates communicate, present themselves, and expect the hiring process to work. As I grow in talent acquisition, I want to keep learning these differences so I can become a better, more culturally aware recruiter.

Cultural Event

When I studied abroad, I had the opportunity to visit Morocco, and it was one of the most unique places I have ever been. Compared to other countries I visited, Marrakech stood out immediately. From the busy souks and street vendors to the call to prayer echoing throughout the city, everything felt different in a way that made me want to understand more. Before going, I had been given certain precautions about safety and cultural norms, but looking back, I think having a better understanding of Morocco’s political and social structure would have helped me navigate the experience with more awareness. That is why when I saw the event Morocco Today: A Discussion with Prof. Mohamed Daadaoui, I knew I wanted to attend.

One of the most interesting parts of the discussion was learning about Morocco’s political structure as a constitutional monarchy and how much influence the king still holds over key decisions. Professor Daadaoui explained how stability is a major priority for Morocco, especially compared to other countries in North Africa that have experienced more political instability. Hearing that made me think back to how present security felt in Marrakech, especially in tourist-heavy areas. At the time, I just accepted it as part of traveling, but now I understand it as a deliberate effort to maintain order and protect tourism, which is such a major part of the economy. It also gave context to the cultural expectations I experienced, like being more aware of how I dressed and acted in public spaces. Another part of the discussion that stood out to me was how Morocco balances modernization with tradition. While the country is developing economically and investing in tourism, there is still a strong emphasis on preserving cultural and religious identity. I saw that contrast firsthand in Marrakech, where modern restaurants and hotels existed right next to traditional markets and historic architecture. The conversation helped me connect those observations to larger political and social decisions, rather than just seeing them as surface-level differences. It made me realize that what I experienced as a visitor was shaped by intentional choices within the country’s leadership and priorities, and it gave me a much more meaningful understanding of my time there.

Cultural Event

This semester, I’ve been taking several legal studies and human resources management courses as part of my HR certificate, and one topic that comes up constantly is ethics. Whether we’re talking about workplace policies, employee relations, or decision-making, ethical frameworks are always part of the conversation. Because of that, I was really interested when I saw the lunch and presentation “Ethics for the Physician to the Body Politic” by Dr. Harry Gould. The idea of applying medical ethics to international politics sounded like a completely different way of thinking about something I’ve mostly studied in a business context.

I found it insightful how Dr. Gould discussed the “body politic” and compared leaders to physicians diagnosing and treating problems within a state. I’ve heard that kind of language before, but I had never really thought about what it would mean to actually take the analogy seriously. He explained how medical ethics, especially the idea of “do no harm,” could be applied to political decision-making in conflict or high-stakes international situations. That really stuck with me because in HR, we talk a lot about how decisions are rarely black and white. You are constantly balancing what benefits the organization with what is fair and ethical for employees, and those two things do not always align. It made me realize how similar those types of decisions are to what leaders face on a much larger scale. Since I am entering the corporate side of healthcare, this perspective felt even more relevant. In my role, hiring decisions impact not just a company but the quality of care patients ultimately receive. I also found it interesting how he connected ethical frameworks like utilitarianism and deontology across both medicine and international politics. In my classes, we usually apply these theories to workplace scenarios, but hearing them discussed in a global context made them feel more complex and real. It made me think more critically about how decisions are made, who they affect, and how ethical reasoning applies across industries. Overall, it reinforced that ethics is not just theoretical; it is something that directly shapes outcomes in both business and global politics.

每年我都會寫了一篇關於元宵節(和很多其他中文社會的活動)的博客文章，所以今年我覺得我沒有什麼新東西要告訴你們。這主要是我在中文社會元宵節與人們共度時光的紀錄。今年我們在台灣交換老師帶了台灣小吃和糖果，比如大白兔奶糖。我們還做了一個手工藝品， 小小紙做的燈籠。外面上我們寫祝福中文成語，比如 ‘身體健康’、 ‘學業有成’、萬事如意、等等。中文社會也在這次活動中提供了食物。我的一位中文教授帶來了她自己做的裝滿黑芝麻醬的湯圓，這是我最喜歡的，所以我很興奮。中文社會還從當地一家中餐館購買了實物。我們吃了青豆、炒飯、麻浦豆腐、等等。我總是喜歡和朋友聊天，更多的了解中國文化，吃好吃的食物。

祝好, 郭玫瑰

Translation:

Every year, I write a blog post about the Lantern Festival (plus many other events hosted by the Chinese Club), so this year, I feel I don’t have much new material to share with you. This post serves primarily as a record of the time I spent with others at the Chinese Club’s Lantern Festival celebration. This year, our exchange teacher from Taiwan brought along various Taiwanese snacks and candies, such as White Rabbit Candies. We also worked on a craft project: making small paper lanterns. On the outside of these lanterns, we inscribed auspicious Chinese idioms, phrases wishing for things such as “good health,” “academic success,” “all your wishes come true,” and so on. The Chinese Club also provided food for the event. One of my Chinese professors brought in tangyuan (sweet sticky rice balls) that she had made herself, filled with black sesame paste; since these are my absolute favorite, I was absolutely thrilled. Additionally, the Chinese Society ordered food from a local Chinese restaurant. We enjoyed dishes such as green beans, fried rice, Mapo tofu, and more. I always enjoy chatting with friends, learning more about Chinese culture, and eating delicious food.

I have some exciting news that I can’t wait to share with you! I’m going to Italy to study abroad for two weeks this summer! I am so excited. I am going to be staying in Rome and Arezzo with two day trips to Florence. I have never been to Italy so I am extremely excited. Right now, I am taking a “Greek gods and heroes in art” class and a ton of my favorite pieces are in Italy. I am excited to learn Italian culture and meet some locals. I don’t know any Italian which makes me a little bit nervous, but mostly I’m excited. We will be doing educational day trips as well as fun activities such as cooking classes during this time. I am going from June 5th – June 19th and before these two weeks, I will be going to Athens, Greece for a few days. I believe that this trip will teach me a lot about both Greek and Italian culture as well as a lot about myself. I am making it a goal for myself to venture out of my comfort zone and try new things. I want to meet locals and talk to them about their experience growing up in Italy and maybe answer some questions that they may have about America. Italy is full of art and culture and I can’t wait to experience it. The part that I am most excited about is the art. Through my art class this year, I have fallen in love with the stories that inspire the artists as well as the art itself. As of right now, sculptures are my favorite medium and I am excited to go to Florence and Rome to see all of these wonderful pieces

This is kind of an odd international topic to write about but I believe it is important. As many of you know, I am an OU Journalism student. Coming into college, I kept trying to find how journalism could aid my love of travel and other cultures and then it dawned on me. Journalism has such a profound effect on International perspective. As a journalist, it is extremely important that I present other cultures with accuracy and truth as I report on different events. To be able to do this, I must know about the different cultures that I am reporting on. This requires proper research and, if available, experience. Knowing that, as a journalist, I could have such a big impact on how people see other cultures keeps me motivated to continue to learn and experience new things. The combination of international experience and journalism will make me an accurate source and I am so blessed that I get to have these experiences so that I can try and bring truth to the world and trust back to the media. I have learned through my recent cultural experiences that I need to experience instead of assume. Even more than just reporting, journalists have a responsibility to show the deeper context when reporting on global issues. Overall, I believe that, for me, it was extremely important to do something where I could make a difference and with journalism, I get to connect my love for other cultures and international experiences with my love for writing and presenting.

I have not joined an International organization on campus yet, but I have two in mind for next year. The first one is OU Cousins. I like the idea of OU Cousins because one of my favorite parts of going abroad has always been meeting people from all over the world. I would love to be a friend to someone who is experiencing a new culture and I would love to learn from them as well. I believe that OU Cousins would be good for me because it would help me learn from others experiences and show them a fun, american college experience. I want to show someone what it means to be SEC, and be involved in Greek Life and everything that OU has to offer. In addition to OU Cousins, I have also been looking into the American Sign Language Club. I have really enjoyed learning about Deaf Culture and I believe that ASL is a language that I could use in my life in the future to communicate with those in the Deaf Culture. I honestly love learning different signs and how to communicate without words. I enjoy communicating with the Deaf Community and learning from them. I also really enjoyed the Deaf Coffee Chat that I attended and I would love to attend more events in the future with the Deaf Community. The Deaf Coffee Chat was an event that I was hesitant to go to then I ended up loving it so I would like to experience more of those through the American Sign Language Club. Those are the two organizations that I am looking into for next semester.

This cultural event was not one that was necessarily associated with OU either. I actually heard of this event from my teacher. I attended a Deaf Coffee Chat. This event was scary because my sign language is honestly not that good. I am about to finish ASL 2, and for the most part, I can understand what is being said, but my signing is not up to par. This event was at a Starbucks off campus and was open to the whole Norman and beyond Deaf community. This event was extremely special to me because I got to see the culture that I have been learning about for two years. I got to practice the habits and behaviors that are expected of me when I am around the Deaf community. This event was encouraging because it showed me the good and the love of people in all different cultures and communities. For example, when I was at this event, there was this one older man who was being extremely patient with us. There were quite a few OU students who were currently learning ASL who attended this event. I stood towards the back and just observed as this man resigned the same word and even fingerspelled it over and over for this one student who was trying to have a conversation with him. At first, I was nervous that he would be annoyed and start signing to someone else, but he was patient and he was kind. He had the biggest smile on his face and it genuinely seemed like he enjoyed helping us learn. This event showed me, once again, that it is extremely important to step out of your comfort zone. Even when it’s scary, I believe that people are for the most part good and they want to help you succeed. This man appreciated the communication and the time that student was taking to learn his culture and understand him. I believe that this world could use a little more patience and understanding and that’s why it is important to go to different cultural events and experience different things, so that you can understand someone else’s perspective in addition to your own.

This semester, I did something fun but honestly a little scary. I had to go to an event of a different religion or culture for my Media Writing and Storytelling class. I have been raised and I identify as a non-denominational Protestant Christian so to go to a church of a different religion was scary. I have seen different religions practiced in different countries and I have met many people of different religions but I had never actually been to a religious service that was not of my religion. I ended up choosing to go to a Catholic Mass. Honestly, I chose Catholic Mass because of how similar the beliefs are. Both my religion and that of the Catholic Mass are based on the same core principles and teachings, but I was shocked how different the service was. The Catholic Church puts an emphasis on tradition that is not present in the non-denominational church. For example, throughout the service there are many different prayers and songs led by the leaders of the church and recited back by the members of the church. I found it interesting and impressive that the members of the church seemed to innately know what to do. Everyone at Mass seemed to know intuitively how to follow all of the traditions and when to respond to the priest or say certain prayers. The members also seemed to know when to sit, stand or kneel. This shows just how strong tradition and loyalty is in the Catholic Church. Many members present looked as though they had been going their whole life. It was impressive and encouraging to see such a united community. This experience showed me just how different two denominations can be. It taught me to never assume that I know something that I don’t. This experience showed me the importance of showing up, participating and getting out of your comfort zone to experience something new. Even though this was not an OU sanctioned event, I believe that it was a good cultural experience that opened my eyes to a religion that was different from my own.

Eve of Nation is a yearly event at the University of Oklahoma that is hosted by IAC. This year, it was hosted April 10th, 2026 at the McCasland Field House. This year the theme was Kairos.

They had a lot of new countries represented this year, such as Russia, Madagascar, and Slovakia that I do not recall being in previous years. We had guest performances alongside the student organizations. My favorite performance this year was the Dhamaka Dance Team which is a part of the Iranian Student Association. I believe they deserved number one, but that was taken by Afrobeatz, which represented the East African Alliance. They are usually my favorite (and they win every year), but this year I felt like they were topped.

The Venezuelan Student Association was amazing, and the girl singer performed splendidly.

I enjoyed the messages that were given out during the performances. One of the stories about Afghanistan was a very eye opening one, in my opinion. It was about how all women are not the same, especially in such a strict regime. Another one was titled “Freedom Comes Tomorrow”, and it inspired many young girls to become change makers in their community.

Overall, the event was filled with culture from all over the world that came together on one stage. It is the largest international event at the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma in general. It is a place that fosters global connections and celebrates the heritage of most of the countries represented in the student body at the University of Oklahoma. This is why I went to this event for all four years of my time, and I will genuinely miss it when I am no longer here.

Best,

Destiny Monroe

Hi everyone, Sam again! The last international event that I went to this year was the end-of-year picnic hosted by OU Cousins. This event was, of course, hosted by OU Cousins, of which I am a part, and it took place on Monday, April 27th, from 6-8 pm on OU’s South Oval. At this event, they had some sandwiches, cookies, and a few yard games as well for people to play.

I was actually able to go to this event with my OU cousin, Iris Winters, who is from the UK, and it was a really great final event for us to go to before she has to fly back home in late May. My Roommate (Soph) and I brought our own picnic blankets to sit on, and we also brought our own snacks like strawberries, and a small meat, cheese, and cracker tray. We met my cousin at the South Oval since she decided she just wanted to walk from her apartment at Traditions, and while Soph and I set up our blankets, she went to get a sandwich. The three of us didn’t play any games, but we did sit out on the Soval until it got dark and talked each other’s ears off the whole time about finals and our respective summer plans. We then gathered up our things, and we opted to drive Iris back to her apartment since it was getting dark. On the walk to our car, we decided that before we dropped her off, we should get some blizzards from Dairy Queen.

It was a really great time! I’m glad I got to go to one last event with my OU cousin before she left!