My First Days in the UK: Adjusting to Scotland

My move to Scotland didn’t feel real until I stepped into Aberdeen Airport, fresh from a 9.5-hour flight from Toronto. I staggered off the plane and walked towards baggage claim. Alone. I felt tired, thirsty, and completely unprepared for my journey ahead. I recalled the long hours editing personal statements, corresponding with references, and gathering writing samples. At the time, I thought nothing was more arduous than my postgraduate applications. But in hindsight, pressing “submit” was the easiest part of the process. Cramming my life into two suitcases, on the other hand? Quite the challenge.

ARRIVAL

Nothing truly compares to the experience of entering a new city. The world feels fresh and uncharted. Despite my sudden dose of reality, I couldn’t wait to begin my adventure in the UK. The first item on my To-Do list? Visiting the University of Aberdeen, A.K.A. my home for the next year.

The King’s College campus greeted me with weathered brick buildings and climbing ivy as I walked through the gates for the first time. Founded in 1495, the University of Aberdeen is the third oldest university in Scotland and the fifth oldest university the UK. If you have no other motivation to study in the UK, the cozy old-world charm of the universities ought to be a strong starting point.

SETTLING IN

Since moving abroad comes with a long checklist, finding an affordable student flat should not be your top priority. To save myself the hassle of house-hunting, I opted for off-campus student accommodation. Fortunately, the University placed me in a complex with other postgraduate students, making it easy to meet people with likeminded interests.

I arrived in Scotland one week before my check-in date, which is something I highly recommend. With one week to spare, I had time to overcome my jetlag, shop for items that wouldn’t fit in my suitcase (i.e. raincoat, bedding, stationary), and travel around Scotland. By the time I moved into my flat, I had already adapted to the groove of Aberdeen.

FRESHER’S WEEK

The University kicked into gear with Fresher’s Week on the day I moved in. Many events and activities are targeted towards undergraduates; however, all students are welcome to enjoy the many offerings of free food, live music, and poster sales.

Fresher’s Week also included promotional fairs, such as the “Societies Fayre” and “Sports Fayre.” During these events, student societies and sports teams arranged booths on campus for students to browse around and sign up. I can’t speak for every UK university, but societies and teams are a major component of student life at the University of Aberdeen. They can be a great way to meet new friends, so I definitely recommend attending Fresher’s Week for these initial meet-and-greets.

STARTING CLASSES

On Orientation Day, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that my program only consists of seven other people. Postgraduate programs in the UK are typically quite small, so you quickly become close with your classmates. The class structure, however, required more adjusting. For me, classes occur in blocks, with each class running back-to-back for three week intervals. This system has its pros and cons.

Con: Three weeks of intensive reading, lecturing, and studying.

Pro: No exams in December!

I won’t pretend that moving overseas is easy. I felt displaced for two weeks before I began to acclimatize and feel at home. But these initial feelings shrink in comparison to the people you’ll meet, the places you’ll visit, and the lifelong memories you’ll create.

- Hailey

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Studying Communications in the UK

Time passes quickly in Aberdeen. The leaves drop without warning and the sun sets earlier every day. It’s hard to believe that two months have passed since the beginning of the semester. I’ve submitted essays, worked on group projects, and given presentations. Yet, I still feel as if I only arrived last week.

I study an MSc in Professional Communication. The program combines linguistics and business, offering a practical approach to the science of communication. Prof. Comm. students learn to communicate effectively across disciplines – a feature that attracted me to the subject. Like any communications program, Prof. Comm. teaches skills that are invaluable and applicable to almost every field of study.

WHY COMMUNICATIONS?

Jim Rohn said, “Take advantage of every opportunity to practice your communication skills so that when important occasions arise, you will have the gift, the style, the sharpness, the clarity, and the emotions to affect other people.”

Like many 22-year-olds, my career is still up in the air. I’ve toyed with the ideas of writing, editing, journalism, and public relations. Sadly, no degree combines all of these areas.

Communications is a perfect option for people like us – those who haven’t quite made up their minds yet. I don’t imply that you should use a communications degree to kill time. Rather, you should study communications to add depth to your career. The subject is universal and timeless. You can bring these skills to any job, now or in the future.

Without a doubt, writing is my vocation. Yet, the idea of a full-blown communications degree appealed to me. Even if you have a strong understanding of your professional interests, communication is an extremely practical tool to have on your resume. It complements every field – you can’t go wrong.

WHY THE UK?

Communication is always relevant, no matter the country. That being said, I believe you have more to gain from studying communications in a new country. Here’s why:

You witness how different cultures communicate within themselves and with outsiders.
You incorporate new communicative styles into your behaviour that you can bring back to Canada.
Different countries teach different histories and methodologies. You learn about your subject from an alternative perspective.

COMMUNICATIONS IN THE UK VS. CANADA

Studying in the UK expands your travel options tenfold. Cheap airlines, trains, and busses offer you the opportunity to explore Europe on a student budget. Spain for the weekend? Sure. Edinburgh for lunch? No problem.

Program length is also a major contender for studying in the UK. In Canada, Master’s programs usually last two to three years, full-time. But in the UK, your Master’s will only take one year to complete. Studying in the UK is a great way to accelerate your degree if you want to enter the workforce faster.

BACHELOR’S WORKLOAD VS. MASTER’S WORKLOAD

Undergraduate degrees require you to take several courses at once – typically, full-time students take 4 or 5 a semester. But in my program, I’m only required to study one course at a time. The classes run back-to-back: I have three classes each semester and my final dissertation over the summer.

Naturally, program structures shift from undergraduate to graduate levels. A full-time Bachelor’s student will take a variety of different electives, on top of their required program courses. In my opinion, Master’s degrees are more efficient; I’m only required to take program-specific classes. You might discover that graduate classes demand more effort. However, you end up with more spare time, so your schedule balances out in the long-run.

Time drags when you choose a program or university out of convenience. Don’t settle. Make decisions that will lead to your happiness. Make decisions that will make the months feel like minutes.

- Hailey

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