Dr. Nicolette DeVille Christensen, Vice President of The College of Global Studies at Arcadia University, officially opened Arcadia’s latest Center for study abroad in Edinburgh, Scotland, on Oct. 18. Located at the University of Edinburgh, one of Europe’s most prestigious campuses, the Center offers exciting new possibilities for intellectual study and co-curricular activities for Arcadia study abroad students.

“Arcadia University and the University of Edinburgh have enjoyed a university to university relationship for over 35 years,” said Christensen. “The opening of the Center is the next iteration of that distinctive relationship. This Center represents the physical space where a confluence of researchers, scholars, students, faculty, staff and trustees can come together to further produce and disseminate knowledge about the rich Scottish heritage.”

The Center forms a strategic part of Arcadia’s network of centers around the world—more than 140 programs in 23 countries—and demonstrates its commitment to providing long-term teaching, learning and support services in key destinations.

At the special opening ceremony, the new Center also launched its Fall Lecture Series with an inaugural presentation by Dr. David Clarke on the position and consideration of Scottish artifacts in archaeological and art historical scholarship. The talk was followed by discussions of Scottish national identity and broached an array of disciplines and political perspectives.

Dr. Hamish Thompson, Resident Director of Arcadia in Scotland, said this launch demonstrates Arcadia’s support for the community of learners in Scotland: “The inaugural lecture from Professor David Clarke initiated the process of developing an intellectual core for the wonderful new physical space of the Edinburgh Center that can now be shared with the world. The global classrooms provide the potential to promote the academic strength of Scotland across our global College, and across the Atlantic, connecting Scotland’s Scholarship to an even wider community of learners.”

The new Edinburgh Center is a welcoming space for students with a kitchen for catering events, as well as a friendly study room for student to relax. The two teaching spaces are global classrooms with the capacity for expanding Arcadia’s learning community across the world.

“We are looking forward to meeting the full potential of the new Edinburgh Center both in providing a comfortable space for the students studying in Scotland and connecting their learning experiences beyond the classroom,” notes Thompson.