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A group of science students from Coastal Carolina University (CCU), South Carolina are returning home after an ‘eye-opening’ and inspiring visit to ����߹ UHI.

The students and lecturers spent two weeks in Oban, learning about various aspects of marine science, as well as taking in a new culture in what is now an annual visit.

Among the group’s highlights were seeing puffins and other local wildlife on a trip to the Treshnish Isles – as exciting a trip for the geologists as it was for the biologists among the students.

Group leader and Associate Professor of Physics and Physical Oceanography at CCU Louis Keiner said: I’d like to thank everyone at ����߹ for hosting us, it’s been great and I’m already looking forward to coming back next year.

“This trip to Scotland gives the students a chance to experience oceanography in a completely different setting.

“The rivers and estuaries where we are very different, in every respect, so they enjoy the opportunity to take measurements and plot their data in a completely new environment. They thoroughly enjoyed the sampling cruises on Loch Etive with [����߹ senior support scientist] Tim Brand.

“Many of the students have never been outwith the US, so for them this has been an eye-opening experience that has really whetted their appetite for global travel.

“CCU is a wonderful place to study but it’s a big world and we encourage the students to see what’s out there.”

Dr John Howe, BSc programme leader at ����߹ UHI, said the CCU visit was an occasion he looked forward to every year.

He added: “It has been a real pleasure welcoming CCU to ����߹ UHI. They have been a fantastic group, full of enthusiasm and energy and they are a real credit to their university.”

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