Intergenerational scholars return from Scotland.
Jerriann and Don Wilson returned from Scotland with smiles on their faces and stories to share.
“Everything was fantastic,” Jerriann says. “Everything clicked. Everything we did was an outstanding experience. Nothing was ‘oh well, ho-hum.’ Every day, we were off doing something exciting.”
The Wilsons—longtime Edenwald independent living residents and experienced world travelers—were part of the inaugural Edenwald/Goucher College study abroad trip, which explored Edinburgh, Scotland, in August 2025.
“This trip is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of all the intergenerational learning opportunities that will be available as Edenwald evolves into a college-enriched senior living community,” Edenwald President and CEO Mark Beggs says. “Our residents and the Goucher College students are very much alike in that they embrace life’s adventures with open arms and an open mind. I was excited to join this trip for both everything I learned, and for being a part of our first international trip with Goucher College. Having experiences like this never gets old.”
In addition to the Wilsons, the trip included three Goucher College professors, two Edenwald executives, and 32 Goucher College students, including one familiar face.
Jerriann knew Sam Koseff, a recent Goucher College graduate, from their time together on the Coordinating Council, a group comprising both Goucher College and Edenwald representatives that explores the most beneficial ways the two communities can interact. Jerriann is a strong advocate for the council’s work. “I think intergenerational knowledge is critical. I mean, it’s so important that different generations know how the other is thinking and feeling,” she says. “It was great to connect with Sam again.”
Prior to the trip, each student prepared a presentation on one aspect of Scottish culture or history they were scheduled to encounter as a part of their course credit. The presentations covered subjects like Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, select castles, closes (narrow alleyways that branch off the Royal Mile), and more.
Cindy Paige Desi, Goucher College Assistant Director of Education Abroad, who was also on the Scotland trip, shared the presentations with the Wilsons before they departed. “The PowerPoint presentations included photos and lots of information. It was wonderful for us to see the presentations, then speak with the student who created them as we encountered their subjects,” Jerriann says.
Busy. Busy. Busy.
When Jerriann is asked to describe a typical day on the trip, she has a one-word response, “busy.” She elaborates, “Every morning, we were off to see a castle, or a farm … we had an exact schedule for each day. They took us places and did things we would never have done without their planning. For example, one night we went to a restaurant we wouldn’t have known about. We had a nice dinner, and then we went to this castle about five blocks away. In the Grand Ballroom on the second floor, they had Scottish dances for the rest of the night, and that was fascinating.”
The Edinburgh locals who were dancing encouraged members of the tour group to join in. Before accepting the invitation, Jerriann developed a strategy. “I saw a man with a kilt and a beard,” she says, “and I thought, this is the guy. So, I had my first dance with him, and he was a very experienced dancer and taught me all the steps.”
The students were better prepared for Scottish dancing. Amanda Woodson, professor of dance and integrative arts at Goucher College—a native Scot who organized the trip (her eighth)—had taught the students some of the steps before the trip. She also invited the Wilsons to come onto campus to see what she was teaching them.
Also on the Edinburgh itinerary was a Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo session. “The tattoo was amazing,” Don says. “We had seen a video of it before, so we knew what to expect, and it was thrilling. To see the coordination of the soldiers doing formations and hear the bagpipes, brass, and drums, it was all very moving.”
The Wilsons were treated to a high tea service in the Palm Court of the Balmoral Hotel, an Edinburgh icon for more than a century.
Scotland has its share of culinary icons, and Don and Jerriann embraced them enthusiastically, especially Scotland’s national dish, haggis. “Every haggis we encountered was different,” Jerriann says. “One would be very spicy and the next would be mild. But, yes, we certainly had haggis—haggis on toast, haggis on avocado, haggis here, haggis there…” Don developed a fondness for Cullen skink, a creamy, traditional Scottish soup made with smoked haddock, potatoes, and onions.
Independent living that supports independent learning.
After five days of experiencing Edinburgh with the group, the Wilsons spent their final two days exploring the city on their own. “We loved all the organized activities, but it was terrific to have the two days at the end, when we could do whatever we wanted.”
Jerriann and Don visited Holyrood Palace, the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland since the 16th century, as well as the Royal Yacht Britannia, which was launched by Queen Elizabeth II in 1954 and decommissioned in 1997. “That was fantastic,” Don says of the 400+ foot-long ship. “That was a real eye-opener. When the ship was operational, they had a crew of 200—a full band, doctors, the whole show.”
Don was equally impressed by the Falkirk Wheel, the only rotating boat lift in the world. “Being an engineer,” he says, “I was absolutely fascinated by it.”
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the world’s largest performing arts festival, and Jerriann and Don made sure they got a taste of it. “There were musicians and comedians, and I thought it would be fun to see a puppet show,” Jerriann says.
“The puppet in this case was a little doll that looked like a large version of a gingerbread man with arms out and legs made of burlap,” Jerriann explains. The puppeteer was a Hungarian woman who silently used her puppet to recreate the plot of a well-known Hungarian novel. “It was really beautifully done,” Jerriann says. “I’ve never seen anything quite like it before. Now I’m eager to find out the name of that novel.”
Future travel plans.
What would the Wilsons advise any of their fellow Edenwald residents considering taking a Goucher College study abroad trip in the future? “I would say, go for it!” Don exclaims.
“We had a great experience,” Jerriann adds. “Everything was so well organized. The Goucher College people [Amanda Woodsen, Cindy Paige Desi, and Associate Professor Theater Rebecca Free] were incredible.”
The Wilsons are looking forward to taking another Edenwald/Goucher College study abroad trip. “They’re planning to go to Barcelona next year,” Don says. “That would really be interesting.”
If you’d like to learn more about the Edenwald/Goucher College study abroad program, the INSPIRE expansion, and other ways Edenwald is partnering with Goucher College to become Maryland’s first college-enriched senior living community, call an Edenwald Residency Counselor at 410-339-6263.
Edenwald’s expansion project is subject to final approval by the Maryland Department of Aging.
