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An Unforgettable Year in Edinburgh
From Chile to Scotland: Why I Chose Edinburgh
I had always dreamed of pursuing an academic career, and studying abroad felt like the right path. The University of Edinburgh caught my attention because it was the first in the world to offer a programme in GIS (Geographical Information Science). On top of its academic reputation, I knew that living in Scotland would give me a new perspective, the chance to meet people from all over the world, and the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally.
The application process felt much less overwhelming thanks to the Across the Pond team, who guided me through every step. From preparing documents to answering my endless questions, their support made the journey smoother and more confident. I would recommend their help to anyone who is thinking about applying.
Settling into Life in Edinburgh
If you do not want the stress of searching for private housing, I strongly recommend applying through the university accommodation system. You can select three preferences, although it is common to be assigned somewhere different (as I learned from classmates). I felt lucky to end up close to the city centre, just a 20 minute walk from the central campus. Even better, I was matched with three amazing flatmates from China, Ireland and the United States. Living together with people from different cultures turned into one of the highlights of my experience.
Beyond accommodation, one of the things I appreciated most was the variety of study spaces. The main library is impressive, but the University is spread throughout the city, which means you can also study in different school buildings. This makes it easy to change your environment and enjoy different corners of Edinburgh while working.
Finding My Voice in English
Before arriving, I had never spoken English in daily life, only reading and vocabulary. A year before applying, I focused on preparing my verbal skills. It was intimidating at first, but I can honestly say you feel completely welcome here, and little by little, fluency comes naturally. If you are in a similar position, my advice is: take the leap.
A City That Feels Like a Movie Set
The first time I arrived in Edinburgh, I felt like I had stepped into another world. The cobblestones, medieval buildings and the ever present mist gave the city a unique atmosphere, as if I was in a film set in the past. I have visited London and even Copenhagen, but Edinburgh has a special charm that I have not found elsewhere.
One thing to keep in mind is the lack of sunlight in winter, especially in January and February. My best advice: bring vitamin D supplements. It really makes a difference.
Studies, Challenges and Opportunities
My GIS programme goes far beyond lectures. It includes a group project spanning three courses, designed to simulate working in a professional setting. One of the highlights was a five-day field trip to the Scottish Highlands, where we put our knowledge into practice.
Be prepared, as the programme is very intense. In many countries outside the UK, master’s degrees usually last two years, but here the programme is completed in just one, which means the workload is concentrated. It is challenging, but at the same time extremely rewarding.
Another great advantage is that the programme offers many networking opportunities throughout the year. You may collaborate with a researcher or lecturer for your dissertation, or work with an external professional or company related to your topic. These connections can open doors for future jobs and research opportunities.
Personally, I am passionate about the intersection of health and geography, and I was thrilled to discover that Edinburgh has a world-renowned research group in this field. These experiences have only reinforced my dream of continuing in academia.
Beyond the Classroom
The University makes it easy to meet people, especially during Welcome Week. In my case, joining the Tennis Club was the best decision. I made great friends while staying active. I also bonded with classmates over group projects and casual outings. Between accommodation, sports and classes, you will never feel isolated if you are open to trying new activities.
Edinburgh is also great to explore by bicycle. There are plenty of second hand options from students leaving the city, and the cycle paths take you not only around the city but also into areas of almost untouched nature. I even bought a second hand GoPro to film my rides, something I will treasure forever.
Everyday Tips and Looking Ahead
- Groceries: Lidl is your friend. It is affordable, varied and great quality.
- Supplements: Vitamin D for winter is a must.
Studying in Edinburgh has been transformative. From overcoming the language barrier to making lifelong friends and finding my academic path, I feel better prepared than ever to pursue my career. Scotland now feels like a second home, and I am excited to continue this journey here.
- Felipe
Reputation for high-quality education
Coming from Mexico, I wanted my postgraduate experience to be more than just academic. It had to challenge me culturally, creatively, and personally. The UK offered all of that. It has a strong reputation for high-quality education, access to diverse perspectives from around the world, and a thriving arts scene. I chose the University of Edinburgh because of its strong reputation in film and cultural studies, and the way my program combines theory with practical curatorial work. University life here is vibrant, there are thousands of societies to join. I joined the Photography and Jazz society where I was able to meet new skills and friends from all over the world.
I lived in university accommodation, sharing a kitchen with seven other students from different countries. At first, adjusting to a shared space required communication between flatmates, especially when you’re used to your own spice cabinet back home. Now, I see it as part of my whole experience studying in the UK. We swap recipes, share late-night tea, and sometimes discover how differently people define "clean." If you’ve ever been to Mexico, you know the sunshine allows for long days in the park in short sleeves. Edinburgh’s weather, on the other hand, teaches you that in other parts of the world the seasons are noticeable and learning how to layer clothes is essential! Rain and wind are common, but the reward is watching the city’s stone streets and green hills change with the light, it’s magical in its way.
By studying Film Exhibition and Curation, I was able to explore how films are shared with audiences, from major festivals to community screenings. I valued that the University professors pushed me to think critically, experiment with creative projects, and connect cinema with larger cultural conversations. It was the perfect place to merge my passion for film with my interest in how stories are presented and experienced. Walking through Edinburgh sometimes feels like stepping into a perfectly framed shot. Between the medieval Old Town, the elegant Georgian New Town, and the dramatic backdrop of Arthur’s Seat, there’s plenty of inspiration. The city also has a lively arts calendar, from the famous Fringe Festival to small, intimate film screenings.
One of the best parts of studying here is meeting people from all over the world. My friends come from places I’d only read about before, and our conversations range from comparing national cuisines to discussing cinema across cultures. In my free time, I explored hidden cafés, visited free museums, or took day trips to the Highlands. While I’ve studied in English before, doing a full master’s degree in it, especially in an academic setting, can be intense. Sometimes my thoughts start in Spanish, switch to English, and land somewhere in Spanglish. The good news is that you improve every week, and the professors here are supportive.
If there's one thing I wish I’d known before packing my bags, it’s how fast time flies here. A year feels long before you arrive, but between classes, social life, and exploring Scotland, it goes by quickly. My advice is to arrive with an open mind, a good raincoat, and a willingness to try things outside your comfort zone. You might just find a new version of yourself.
- Jorge
Broadened my academic horizons
After 16 months since the start of my program, I can confidently say that my experience as a PhD student in Applied Mathematics at the School of Mathematics of the University of Edinburgh has been deeply rewarding, thanks to the institution’s high academic standards and its dynamic research environment. From the very beginning, I have progressively developed my research project, focused on the study of the interaction between electromagnetic waves and matter, actively contributing to scientific output and publishing results in collaboration with experts in the field. I have also taken courses directly related to my work, both at the School of Mathematics and the School of Physics, which has strengthened my interdisciplinary background.
The School of Mathematics offers extensive opportunities to carry out research stays at other universities and to attend international conferences, which has significantly broadened my academic horizons and allowed me to build valuable networks with researchers from around the world. During this time, I completed a one-month research stay in Pennsylvania, USA, and in October I will participate in two international conferences.
Furthermore, the School has given me the opportunity to work as a tutor for various undergraduate mathematics courses, an experience that has complemented my academic training, enhanced my teaching skills, and sparked my interest in pursuing an academic career even before completing my studies.
- Hector Miguel
Something academically that I couldn't find in other countries
The United Kingdom offers something academically that I couldn't find in other countries: a wide range of master's programs in interdisciplinary studies. For a long time, I was interested in Environmental Humanities (the intersection between Humanities and Environmental Studies), specifically in ecocriticism (the study of nature in literature), but in Mexico, where I’m from, there isn't a university that specializes in this field. Additionally, I wanted a master’s program that would provide practical tools for the job market, not just theory. I found these specific requirements in the MSc in Environment, Culture, and Society at the University of Edinburgh, a comprehensive program with courses in art and environment, political ecology, and environmental philosophy. We also had field trips and meetings with artists that beautifully complemented the theoretical classes.
What I appreciated most about studying there is that the programs generally have a multidimensional perspective. Environmental problems and solutions, for example, aren’t just technical issues, but also human and social ones.
Although I knew that similar programs existed in the United States, I chose the United Kingdom for the lifestyle, and that's what I want to talk about.
A City of Short Distances
During my university years in Mexico, I spent three hours a day in traffic getting to and from school. In Edinburgh, on the other hand, it took me just 25 minutes to walk from my house to campus, and 15 minutes by bike. This small but significant change in my life allowed me to do so much more: join student associations, have a better social life, have more time to eat well and exercise, and I even managed to keep a part-time job!
I was also lucky that my house and the library were very close to one of Edinburgh's large parks, so if I felt stressed, sometimes just a 15-minute walk would help me reset before getting back to studying.
The transportation system here is very efficient and offers many options, which made it easy to make plans with friends because I knew I could get anywhere easily. Also, being close to the train station meant that if I wanted to visit a small town like Stirling or Perth on the weekend, or take a short hike in Linlithgow, I could get there with ease.
My Study Days in a Beautiful City
If there was one thing the various University of Edinburgh campuses had in abundance, it was study spaces. Whether on couches, tables, in libraries, study buildings, or cafes, you could find a spot to study before, after, or between classes. In my school, we also had something called the Hub, where you could access with your student ID. Inside, besides computers and study spaces, there was a small kitchen where students could store and heat their food, prepare tea or coffee, and then wash their dishes. There was something similar in a building dedicated to study spaces, which also had a microwave, hot water, and tables for eating. This made my life easier because on days when I didn't have classes, I would bring my lunch and spend the whole day studying, writing essays, and taking breaks to eat and make myself coffee before heading home.
Every now and then, I would change my study spot to explore other campuses or simply to take different routes through the city. For example, sometimes I would go to the Architecture, Art, and Design library because I liked passing through the Old Town. Sometimes, before or after studying, I’d take a walk there and enjoy the views.
An Inclusive and Supportive University
The University of Edinburgh has a Disability & Learning Support Service that you can turn to if you have learning difficulties. There are special booths in the library, and there are also wellbeing services if you're struggling. This allowed me, for example, when I had mental and physical health issues, to ask for help and receive support in my studies. Without a doubt, this enabled me to have better academic and personal development.
My Temporary Home
I was fortunate to "inherit" the apartment of a girl who had the same scholarship as me (Chevening). So I recommend contacting scholarship holders or students to ask if they know of any accommodation. Maybe they’re about to leave theirs!
I preferred to stay in a private apartment for reasons of privacy, cleanliness, and having the opportunity to host friends or family. Also, since I decided to stay for more than a year, it was quite convenient. Friends who stayed in student accommodation had to move out once their contract year ended, but I was able to extend mine.
Whether you stay in student accommodation or a private apartment, I recommend choosing one close to your campus. Make sure to check where your classes will be.
Don’t Be Afraid of the Scottish Accent
At first, I was very nervous about speaking because my pronunciation isn’t the best, and neither is my level of English, but in Scotland, people are very patient. Try to listen carefully and ask if you don't understand a phrase or word. The Scots will certainly try to make themselves understood. Also, since Edinburgh is such a multicultural city, you’re sure to find people from all over the world, even some who speak your language.
Don’t Be Afraid of the Weather Either
In Edinburgh, they say that if you don’t like the weather, just wait 15 minutes. That’s how changeable it is. It can start sunny, then rain, then have strong winds, and then end with a beautiful sunset all in one day. So never take anything for granted and always carry your raincoat. I don’t recommend buying an umbrella because they break in the wind, but a good raincoat and maybe some boots will make your life much easier. Always check the wind conditions because it can be sunny and at a nice temperature, but if it’s windy, you’ll feel cold. In the summer, make the most of the sunny days by organizing picnics in The Meadows or Holyrood Park or hikes with your classmates or friends.
Also, prepare for winter because it gets dark at 3:30 pm, and the sun doesn’t rise until 9 am. It may seem terrible, but I learned to enjoy it by lighting scented candles (not recommended if you’re in student accommodation because the fire alarm will go off), burning incense, and drinking lots of hot chocolate with marshmallows and mulled wine. That said, try to keep going out and making plans with your friends, even if it’s raining and windy. That will help you maintain a balanced mental state. On the other hand, in the summer, the roles are reversed, so you’ll have very long days and can watch sunsets at 11 pm.
Some Tips I Wish I Had Known
- Look for the cheapest supermarkets, even if you must take the bus. Sometimes it’s better to invest in transportation than go to nearby but expensive places.
- Don’t be afraid to visit Charity Shops. There’s a lot of good quality and very cheap clothing. Go as soon as possible because that’s when outgoing students leave their stuff, so you’ll find everything: plates, baskets, organizers, jackets, raincoats, etc.
- Look for and use all the student discounts. You can’t imagine how much you can save—on streaming platforms, pharmacies, delivery services, cell phone services, and a long list of others.
- Before buying something new, look for second hand groups in Facebook.
- Meal deals will save your life. Keep this in mind.
- Finally, sooner or later, you’ll miss home, so pack those spices, cans, flours, sauces, and other products that will be hard to find here. It’s better to bring a lot of things that you can use up here so that you can go back to your country with things you won’t find there.
- One more thing: don’t accumulate too much stuff. Remember that sooner or later, you’ll return to your home country, so only acquire what you need to live here, and sell, donate, or give away what you no longer need before you leave.
Thank You, Across the Pond!
It seemed impossible to receive personalized advice and constant help without being charged for it, and I’ve seen that many people worry that the help offered by Across the Pond isn’t real, but I can assure you that everything is legitimate.
My advisor helped me from start to finish while I was also applying for the scholarship. Their extensive experience made many processes easier, gave me very valuable tips before, during, and after the application, and even helped me make better decisions.
Thank you so much for your invaluable help and for answering all my questions!
- Karla
I wanted to study in the best University of the UK
My name is Isela, a postgraduate student of MSc Advanced Sustainable Design at the University of Edinburgh. Today I want to share my experience about the beautiful journey of studying in the UK.
First of all, studying abroad became one of my biggest goals since I had the opportunity to meet foreign students during high school, I realized that the quality of education in other countries especially in the UK is amazing, and the experience of knowing different cultures even more, so from that moment the idea of experiencing this first hand, living in another country, meeting people from different parts of the world got me so excited that I set it in my goals.
My goal was to study in the UK, but not only in there, what I wanted is to study in the best University of the UK. I always knew I wanted to focus my studies into sustainability, therefore the next step was to find the best programme to do it, I remember I listed all Universities of the UK according to QS ranking, then I wrote the programmes to find out which one has the best to suit to my objectives. Since that moment the University of Edinburgh became my gold dream.
Despite diverse circumstances that impacted my life, this aim always remained in my mind, but I was not sure where to start. Fortunately, I found an advertise online about Across the Pond, they truly helped me to leave my fears behind and chasing my dreams, clearing my thoughts by showing me every step I needed to achieve this objective. They advised me on the options available to cover the expenses, from scholarships to student loans, of which I was not aware, and they were always willing to answer any questions that arose in the process.
I applied to many universities until I finally got an acceptance letter from the university of my dreams. From that moment on my life changed and I am sure that it has been one of the best decisions I have ever made, as a year after living in Edinburgh I am even more convinced that I could not have chosen a better university or a better country to study my postgraduate degree. The United Kingdom is amazing, but Scotland and the city of Edinburgh have so much charm that I fell in love with them from the first moment I arrived here. From its cobbled streets with a medieval atmosphere and the castle in the middle of the city, to Hollyrood Park, where Arthurs Seat mountain is located, it makes you feel like you are in the Highlands themselves in the middle of the city.
The passion for teaching and the preparation of the teachers, the quality of the programs and without forgetting the work spaces with cutting-edge technology, the physical and digital libraries, computers and laptops available to all students at any time, as well as the natural environment, make this a very pleasant experience. Being a non-native English speaking student, I was very nervous and worried at the beginning, but both the patience of the teachers as well as the help of my classmates were key to helping me develop my language skills in a better way.
In addition to studying, I was also part of some university societies, such as the rifle and swimming clubs. From the first time I visited the gym facilities, I was impressed by the high-quality equipment and the well-suited spaces for engaging in a wide range of activities.
Student life in the city of Edinburgh is very fun and cheerful, the amount of activities on and off campus is immense, as well as the benefits that we as students have, such as discounts in most shops for food, clothing, events, transportation and even pharmacy and leisure. Student housing is out of this world, it has much more than just basic facilities but also spaces that allow you to have a healthy coexistence that encourages cultural exchange even more, such as play and meeting areas, gyms, cafeterias, laundry services and spaces with musical instruments.
Lastly, I had the great opportunity to meet and connect with amazing people from various parts of the world, such as India, Taiwan, China, Germany, Canada, Turkey, the USA, and South America. Getting to know their cultures, traditions, and perspectives on life has broadened my worldview. The personal and professional growth I have experienced over the past year has been unparalleled, thanks to this wonderful interaction.
I conclude this text by inviting students to take this big step, which they will undoubtedly never regret, and if they feel afraid or do not know what to do, do not hesitate to approach experts like Across the Pond, who will undoubtedly make this experience extremely light and pleasant.
- Isela
