Laura (Sem 1, 2023)

My Exchange at The University of Edinburgh

I discovered the 360 International exchange programme through the 360 International exchange email. As I always wanted to travel around Europe and make new friends, I decided to participate in this programme, which I’m very glad I did.

When I arrived in Edinburgh, I was filled with excitement and anticipation. The city’s rich history and stunning architecture amazed me. As I arrived in January, the weather wasn’t the best, and it was much colder than in New Zealand. It was quite windy and more rainy during the winter. However, the city itself is quite historical and slow-paced. It gave me a similar living style to Auckland but also quite distinct from it as Edinburgh is less commercialised. The vibrant atmosphere and welcoming locals made me feel instantly at home.

Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is a captivating city with a perfect blend of historical charm and modern amenities. The city offers a rich cultural scene, picturesque landscapes, and a bustling social life. I managed to visit London once, it was a great city with a lot of activities but very fast-paced and busy. Compared to Auckland, I found the cost of living in Edinburgh was relatively similar. However, there were slight differences in expenses such as accommodation and transportation. Budgeting wisely and taking advantage of student discounts to manage expenses effectively is essential. A useful tip is to apply for a Young-Scot card which is a national entitlement card that provides free transportation to people under 22 years old throughout Scotland.

My accommodation was on Riego Street, a student accommodation organised by the University of Edinburgh. It has a great location that is only about a 13-minute walk to George Square campus, and about 10 minutes walk to the main street, Princess Street. It is located quite closely to the Grassmarket, which is a main tourist place. The main grocery stores such as Sainsbury, Tesco and Co-op are across the street hence it is very convenient to get groceries. Every room has an individual sink that is very helpful. Every flat in the Riego Street accommodation is different but based on mine, there were five of us and we shared two fridges and two couches in a spacious kitchen space. The accommodation hosted an exchange students’ meet-up event on the first week I moved in, where I made a few good friends, as a good beginning to my exchange life.

During my exchange, I joined clubs related to my hobbies and interests such as the boxing society and photography society, explored the Scottish countryside through organized trips such Isle of Skye. These experiences allowed me to make new friends and create lasting memories. Also, there were a lot of welcoming events on the first two weeks for exchange students, such as speed-friending, society-exploration, campus tours and more. It gave me a good overview of some must-do activities in Edinburgh and also get to know people.

In terms of studying and workload in the university, I personally found there is less in-class time compared to the University of Auckland, but all the lecturers are approachable and friendly to exchange students. As less time in class, it required students to study before and after class. As there are different teaching systems between universities, there are some background knowledge differences in particular courses, and they are always willing to help with questions. My Visiting Student advisor, Cara, is also very nice and always checked up on me to ensure I was adapting to courses well.

Some of the highlights of my exchange included immersing myself in the local culture, exploring historical sites like Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile, and forming meaningful connections with people from diverse backgrounds. The opportunity to travel and experience different parts of Scotland was also my favourite during my exchange.

Based on my experiences, I would strongly recommend people to do an exchange. It is a great way to make friends from around the world as there are other exchange students from other countries. It is a course of independence and a journey of self-learning. I learned a lot about myself, and stepping out of my comfort zone improved my confidence and social skills. It is a journey that I will remember and treasure forever.

Q&A

What were some of the highlights of the academic experience at your host university?

– Lecturers were very nice and friendly

– Great study facilities and support in the university, such as bookable study rooms, high-quality computers, and a lot of study space

– A great study environment

Would you recommend any particular activity/activities unique to your host country or university?

– Visit Edinburgh castle

– Whiskey and Gin tasting

– Visit the Isle of Skye

– Visit London

– Climb Arthur’s Seat

What are your top 3 tips for future students attending your host university or going on exchange to your host country?

– Edinburgh is always cold and rainy and there is no proper summer, so make sure you have more spring/fall clothes. Most importantly, the winter is extremely cold, windy and rainy so you must have a puffer jacket and thermal clothing to survive. During the winter, it gets dark very early, so it might be slightly depressing. Be prepared for the weather.

– Try to get a Young Scot card. It is a national entitlement card that provides free public transportation throughout Scotland for people under 22 years old. It is also free to travel between cities in Scotland with that card.

– Lidl is usually the cheapest in terms of groceries. Tesco provides a really nice meal deal for a really cheap price so it would be a great option for an easy meal and save money.

How much did you budget for your exchange? Was this enough? Were there any lessons learned that would help future students budget for their own exchange?

I personally did not set a budget for the exchange, especially with extra travelling expenses that made it a bit hard for me to keep track. However, based on my experiences and from others, it is definitely cheaper to cook yourself as eating out is quite expensive compared with Auckland. If you want to buy any utensils or accessories, visit some charity shops/op shops as they always have those for a really cheap price and in good condition. You can even find some unique ones.

What are your most significant takeaways from your experience abroad?

There were a lot of things I learned from the exchange. I improved my social and communication skills significantly. I met a lot of new people and became close friends with some of them, which I believe will be a life-long relationship. As the exchange is also a course of independence, I learnt to be more comfortable with myself and know what makes me happy/sad. There were definitely some mental breakdown moments, but managing to overcome them has improved me as an individual. More importantly, I gained a more clear image of my future career development and plans.