Saints Around the World: Glasgow, Scotland

As a muggle (someone with no magical ability or connection to the wizarding world), Bella Ferragine '26 never could have studied at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy. Or so she assumed...

Ferragine received some bad advice. Fortunately, she didn't take it.

"When I was in high school, I would often daydream about where I'd study abroad. Part of the reason I chose Siena was because of our Study Abroad program. Because I love the outdoors, I wanted to go somewhere where I could explore in nice weather. When I looked at options and saw the beauty of the Scottish Highlands, I really started to consider Scotland. People tried to talk me out of it because they said it's always gray and rainy. That's not true at all."

Had she listened, she would have missed out on all the magic. Hogwarts is the fictional boarding school of magic for young wizards. Harry Potter is its most famous alumnus. In the Harry Potter universe, Hogwarts is located somewhere in the Highlands of Scotland. A few hours from the Highlands is the University of Glasgow, and its Gilbert Scott Building was the inspiration for Hogwarts. Author JK Rowling was actually living in Edinburgh when writing the first chapters of the series.

"My family came to visit, and we booked a tour through the Highlands. We saw all of these locations where the movies were filmed."

There's a deep magical connection to the Scottish Highlands, and Ferragine has felt a pull to the mystical atmosphere. But rugby has kept her grounded.

"I play rugby for Siena and my coach is from Dundee, Scotland. He had a connection with one of the club teams over here, and he told me I was going to play! They compete at a much higher level than I'm used to, but it's made me a better player and the camaraderie has been amazing."

Ferragine is playing for both the club team and the University of Glasgow squad, known as the Badgers. Women's rugby wasn't initially recognized by the university, so they played without university support and without the university moniker. The other sports are all known as the Tigers. The Badgers had to form their own path.

"As a women and gender studies minor, I found the history so fascinating. Our team motto is "Bitches not Badgers." As a program, the women had to earn the respect they were initially denied. I'm proud to be a part of this team, and I've gotten much better as a player."

Plus, Ferragine has figured out her tattoo. She currently has four tattoos, and they all have special meaning. The acorn on her forearm is a tribute to her late grandma who hoped to be reincarnated as an oak tree to "protect all of the little critters." Ferragine was hoping something in Scotland would feel that special. It does...

"I'm going to get a little badger tattoo before I leave. I want to bring this story and this experience home with me."

The magic of Hogwarts and the Highlands will stay in Scotland, but the experience (and the badger) will be with Ferragine forever.