The city is a magical experience
Hi! My name is Claudio, from Chile, and I want to tell you about the wonders of living and studying in Scotland, in the UK, and how you can ease much of the stress and uncertainty of applying with the help of Across the Pond.
Decisions and applications
The idea of studying abroad had been on my mind for a few years, and I couldn’t quite decide to go for it, until I heard of two possibilities that got me moving: first, that the UK had a unique type of postgraduate studies in psychology for people who did not have an undergraduate degree on the field (which was my case, with a Bachelors in Sociology); and second, I heard about Edinburgh, a city that combined the buzz of international students (with several universities in town), the ease of a smaller scale city (at least compared to Santiago, where I’m from) and the unique possibility of living on the skirts of the world-famous Scottish Highlands.
Once the decision was made, I still struggled to narrow the specific degree I would like to pursue and was overwhelmed with the different stages involved in the application process. Through a friend I heard of the support that was available through Across the Pond, not quite believing it would be free of charge. I emailed, received a quick response and from then things went smoothly throughout the process: my advisor (to whom I’m incredibly grateful) supported me in everything from narrowing my options and deciding on a degree, understanding and completing all the documentation that was required, even to the process of applying to my visa and getting through immigration into the UK (which can be the scariest part!). I honestly don’t know how I would’ve handled the process if it wasn’t for the support of Across the Pond and my advisor.
Edinburgh city and university
The experience of living in Edinburgh and Scotland is one of a kind. Just walking through the city is a magical experience that never ceased to amaze me. The historical buildings of Old Town, the bustling Royal Mile, the winding, cobbled streets of Stockbridge, and always the stunning and towering Castle looking over town. The city is small enough you can make your way around walking or biking, but also has plenty of lovely neighbourhoods to explore, like Leith shore with its pubs and restaurants, Bruntsfield’s cafes and charity shops, or the high street of Princes Street in New Town.
The student life is remarkable as well. Edinburgh has four universities, with the University of Edinburgh being the biggest and best known of them. There are always activities going on and plenty of international students, which guarantees you will have the full cosmopolitan experience during your stay. The University of Edinburgh, where I studied, has an impressive student life as well, with more student societies (anything from whiskey to Harry Potter) and sport clubs (from parkour to martial arts) that you could go through during your studies.
I was also incredibly lucky with my programme of study. The course is called MSc Psychology of Mental Health and, as I mentioned, is a graduate course for students with no background on psychology. Because of this, the cohort included not only students from every part of the world (which allows me now to have close friends from India, Germany, and Greece, among other countries), but also from different professional backgrounds. This made for an enriching student experience. The faculty was incredible capable and managed to squeeze an intense and rigorous foundation on psychology in just a year.
Nature at your doorstep
The biggest surprise and delight of my experience was how close I lived to nature, and how beautiful and accessible the landscapes were. In Edinburgh itself you are always walking distance from nature. The trails by the river Water of Leith run throughout town and provide refuge from the noise, and Arthur’s Seat hill stands the tallest point in Edinburgh, with views that stretch from the North Sea to the three massive bridges that cross the Firth of Forth. The Royal Botanical Gardens, free of charge, are located just by Inverleith Park, providing both a panoramic view of Old Town’s skyline and plenty of forest trails you can admire throughout the seasons. If you are willing to take a bus or train, the possibilities are endless, the best known being the Pentland Hills Regional Park. The park is located just outside town and provides endless trails and many peaks for weekend adventures (particularly exciting in snowy days!).
And I can’t leave out perhaps the greatest perk of life in Edinburgh: how close you are the Scottish Highlands and Islands. Being from Chile, I’m quite used to long drives into nature, but Scotland has incredibly manageable distances you can cover either by train or with a car. I spent countless days and nights hiking, camping, and simply enjoying the beautiful sights. I can’t overstate what a privilege it is to have these stunning landscapes at your doorstep.
Possibilities after studying
Finally, I wanted to share some of the recent new possibilities to continue your stay after studying. I was lucky of arriving on the UK the year that a new visa was introduced: the Graduate Visa. The visa allows you to stay for two years in the UK (three if you finished a PhD) and work without requiring a work visa. It’s a straightforward process to apply for the visa and it allowed me to continue living in the country I was enjoying thoroughly. After studying I had the possibility to work first as a barista in Edinburgh, which was an enjoyable change of pace after so many months spent in research and my computer. And then I was able to move to Glasgow and work in a charity supporting homeless people transition to their permanent housing. The experience of working in a Scottish Charity was a great complement to having studied in the country, helping me deepen practice of English and gaining new professional skills I now bring back to my country of origin. It was also a wonderful experience to get to live in a new city in the country. Glasgow is the biggest city in Scotland (and one of the largest of the UK) and a massive hub of music, arts, and outdoor enthusiasts. It is a city I highly recommend for a day trip, music gigs, forest walks, and of course to live there as well.
The experience of studying and working in Scotland, all while being able to explore its natural landscapes and getting to meet its people, has been one of the most transformative experiences of my life. I’m incredibly grateful for the possibility I had to live through these experiences. And of the many people I owe gratitude, Across the Pond has a significant role: those first stages after making the decision to study abroad can be the most daunting, with what feels like endless options and a ton of paperwork. The patient guidance from Across the Pond advisors was essential to ease my fears and push through to make this dream a reality.
- Claudio