US exchange students to get taste of Scotland

TOP students from one of the world’s most prestigious international exchange programmes are to be introduced to the delights of a seaside fish supper, washed down by Scotland’s other national drink, when they visit Dundee next week.

US students: Set to try fish supper. Picture: PA

• US students on Fulbright Scotland Summer Institute programme to be hosted by Dundee and Strathclyde universities

• Nine students will be invited to sample fish and chips and Irn Bru on their five-week visit as they learn about Scottish culture

Dundee and Strathclyde universities have won a bid to host the first Fulbright Scotland Summer Institute in a unique partnership between the two institutions.

US students visiting Dundee will be invited to sample fish and chips and Irn Bru during their visit. Pictrue: Ian Rutherford

Nine students from universities in the United States are to spend five weeks in Dundee and Glasgow for an intensive programme of lectures, seminars and cultural visits on the theme “Scotland: Culture, Identity and Innovation.”

And they are to be treated to a haddock supper, accompanied by Irn Bru, soon after they arrive in Dundee at the weekend.

A university spokesman said: “The cohort will touch down in Scotland on Saturday and will head to Dundee for a weekend of welcome events and the chance to familiarise with their new surroundings before the programme begins in earnest on Monday. The students will receive guided tours of the university campus and The McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery and Museum before being taken to the seaside suburb of Broughty Ferry.

“They will be shown around the historic fishing village before visiting the 15th century Broughty Castle. Afterwards, they will be treated to a fish supper and Irn Bru procured from one of the nearby ‘chippers’ to help immerse the American visitors in a different aspect of Scottish culture.”

The Fulbright-Scotland Summer Institute is being led by staff at the Centre for Archive and Information Studies (CAIS) at Dundee in collaboration with historians at Strathclyde’s School of Humanities.

Patricia Whatley, of CAIS, said: “We have a rich cultural tradition, which can be seen right up to the present day, with Dundee being shortlisted for UK City of Culture 2017. An exciting academic and cultural programme of visits, talks and other events has been put together which will immerse our visitors in Scottish culture and allow them to gain an understanding of our identity, history and future.

‘We will also be showcasing the internationally excellent research taking place here at the university, including a day with Professor Sue Black’s Forensic Anthropology team, as well as hosting a series of social events. Fish and chips and Irn Bru might seem incongruous items on a cultural itinerary, but in fact these items help to tell the story of Scotland.”

The Fulbright Programme is the flagship educational and cultural exchange programme of the US Department of State which promotes mutual understanding between the people of the United States and those in more than 155 countries. The US Consulate in Edinburgh will host a reception for the students during one of two visits they will make to Edinburgh. Visits to St Andrews, Stirling, Perthshire and Glamis, Balmoral and Dunottar castles are also planned.