It has brought me much happiness

One of the best decisions of my life was to come to study at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland.

I had been working as a statistician for 14 years in Chile and although I liked my job and my life I felt that something was missing. After a year of thoughtful consideration I realised that what I wanted was to dedicate myself to writing. And that's when the doubts and fears flooded me. Where do I start? Do I study a career or just write something? In my country or abroad? And if I go outside Chile, where do I go? Will I have what it takes to pass my studies? Will I have enough money? Will it be worth the risk at 46 years old?

I chose to study an MLitt in Creative Writing in the UK because their curricula were more practice-oriented than academic. And of all the universities I researched and whose Virtual Open Days I attended, Aberdeen seemed to be the closest to the students and willing to give us all the necessary tools to successfully carry out our studies and at the same time nourish us with an enriching social and cultural life. In addition, my MLitt professors were very experienced in their respective fields, so their lectures and feedback on my work were invaluable, as was their constant support and encouragement. 

During the Welcome Week the University deployed a myriad of activities aimed at helping us, new students, to feel welcome and included, and also to guide us both academically and on a day-to-day basis. Thanks to all this organisation I was able to open my university email account, learn how to use the MyAberdeen platform (where much of the university's information is hosted as well as the courses I studied), get the necessary documents to open a bank account, sign up for a talk on how to open a bank account, signed up for a talk on how to manage our finances efficiently, took a tour around the campus (which is itself a monument, with over 500 years of history) and its surroundings (the local bookshop, cafes, pub, botanic garden, etc.) as well as the state-of-the-art library; I joined the Yoga Society and the Creative Writing Society, attended the WayWord literary festival and workshops for free, had a membership to the sports village, went to coffees and BBQs organised by AUSA (Aberdeen University Students' Association) where I met students from other majors and various nationalities. At the same time, the School of Language, Literature, Music and Visual Culture organised a meeting for the students to get to know the professors of the School and our fellow students, and also to orient us about which courses to take and how to enrol in them. 

During the year I studied my MLitt I had the opportunity to have a personal tutor, to go to the student association whenever I needed them and to access the careers and employability service that advised me in my job search (CV, interviews, etc.). I enjoyed preparing my thesis and graduated with commendation.

In this year I met my current partner and two great friends with whom we keep in regular contact even though we are now in countries as different as they are distant. With them I went to concerts, restaurants, pubs, plays, standup comedy, films, parties, castles, Highland Games, picnics on the beach, hikes in the mountains, among others, both in Aberdeen and the rest of Scotland.

I will not deny that coming to a new city, in another language (and adapting to the Scottish accent), studying again, being away from my family and friends was a bit overwhelming at first. Insecurities and apprehensions were very present when I arrived in the UK. However, all of that was made more bearable not only with the support of the university but also because they foster an environment of inclusion, learning and cultural exchange where all of us who studied here were willing to get to know each other, to accompany each other and to create community. 

Almost a year after graduating, I can't help but smile every time I remember my time at the MLitt, my heart races with joy and I am certain that this was one of the best decisions of my life because it has brought me much happiness.

- Claudia