… by Lauryn / from Ndola, Zambia / BSc Mathematics / 1st Year (UG)
So, Edinburgh is a long way from home… I had to take 3 planes and all that thinking time can be an opportunity for doubt to rear its ugly head. Going to a different continent and losing the steadfast direct support of your family is a really big deal. The university experience is a massive step into your future and your choice of university is one of many consequential decisions. As teenagers, we often feel too unprepared to make such a big choice and with numerous factors like ranking, where our friends are going, how far we’ll be from home, what’s the weather like, what degree options are available and every other little detail, it can be a literal assault on our mortal minds. I remember applying to universities in South Africa, Canada and the UK while still considering studying in the US. And each of the schools I considered were absolutely amazing! I dreamt about the kinds of experiences I would have at each and every one of them. Now, I live out this Scottish adventure and I really wouldn’t change it for anything. I thought I’d share my 5 reasons for choosing to leave my home and study abroad.
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Independence
Yes, I realise how cliché it sounds. We all get to that point, at the fringe of adulthood and our years of teenage angst and feel ready to be grown-ups. I didn’t feel that ready to be an adult but I was ready to push myself and make mistakes away from the safety net of my parents, long-time friends and extended family. Having the power to plan out how I spend my time is liberating and has been a good opportunity to improve on my time management skills. Six months in, that’s still a work in progress but I’m learning so much about myself in the process. Having to make a budget and stick to it or suffer the consequences of an online impulse buy makes for some creative cooking and funny stories. Making my own weekend plans without having to consider my younger siblings is definitely a perk! And knowing that I have total self-determination causes a giddy excitement which I’ll never be bored of.
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The Higher Quality of Education
The standards at this university are high. It’s high ranking reflects in the quick pace of teaching and the amount of independent work we are expected to do but I relish the challenge. Some weeks are horrible. All your deadlines converge and you cannot understand how one person can handle all of the stress. But, isn’t that the point of higher education? I want to extend myself and this environment asks a lot of me and facilitates the process of my intellectual and personal growth by putting me in these challenging situations. It’s not that bad though. The facilities available are absolutely incredible. Lecturers want to answer your questions and engage with you. Tutors can be interesting and inspiring. As a first year Maths student, I can go to the MathsBase in Appleton tower where PhD students are available to answer my questions. The library is open 24/7 which is useful if you’re like me and feel most productive after 11pm.
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Encountering New Perspectives
Even though Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland, I meet very few Scottish people. The student body at this university is multi-national and diverse and a big part of growing up is being exposed to new and different ways of thinking. This was a serious selling point for me as I was researching the university. I think that it’s important for young people to be global citizens who value cultural diversity and the most obvious way to become a global citizen is by exposure. I have made friends from all over the world. We relate on so many levels and also teach each other about our homes. I cannot say how epic they all are! -
Travel
Europe and its many gems and cultural hubs are a mere flight away. With sufficient fore-thought and planning, you can go on short, relatively cheap breaks and adventures in continental Europe, an opportunity I will take full advantage of. Travelling to Europe from my home in Zambia is desperately expensive. Also, you can plan these trips with your friends and make lifelong memories while also broadening your worldview and experiencing history in cities like Rome, Budapest, Amsterdam and so many others. I have an Italian adventure planned for after my exams this semester and having that to look forward to makes revision slightly more appealing.
5. The Mystique of Edinburgh
This city is stunning! I cannot even express how lucky I feel every day to look out my window and see Arthur’s Seat, currently covered in a blanket of snow due to the “Beast from the East” 2.0. Walking on cobbled streets has yet to lose its novelty effect because this city looks so different from the city I grew up in. Teviot House does kind of look like it was pulled straight out of Hogwarts. I am a part of that very small percentage of the world’s population who has yet to read the Harry Potter books so I don’t have Potter-head moments, but living in this city leaves me feeling inspired and I can see the magic here which fed into J.K Rowling creating that world. There are museums and comedy clubs, cute cafes and restaurants and because I have the privilege of living here, I can visit them all, which has done wonders for my Snap and Insta-feeds. The vibe is peaceful and happy, and I always feel really good as I walk the streets, no matter how long of a day it was. Appleton Tower sticks out as a glass and chrome sentinel and somehow it still blends into the landscape created by the older buildings. It is always windy which is something you just get used to. It hasn’t snowed here since 2015 yet I was lucky enough to experience a blizzard and 3 days of snow fun. This whole experience has a twinge of magic…
Edinburgh has this inexplicable charm which I live for and despite all the stress and confusion which university and fledgling adulthood can bring, I have never been happier!
