Scotland – Ellie
Student: Ellie
Course: Bachelor of Exercise & Sports Science
Program: Trimester exchange
How did you make friends and what sort of things did you do together?
I got extremely lucky with making some of the most beautiful and genuine friendships with the other people living in my flat and in the student accommodation. Many of my close friendships started from simply sparking a conversation about how nervous I was, asking people to go for coffee or joining people on their errands. Making an extra effort to spend time with people one-on-one at the beginning of my experience was crucial to making long lasting and genuine friendships.
My most important advice for anyone going on exchange is to remember that everyone else is as nervous as you, so be the person to break the ice. Everyone is on the exchange wanting the same adventure as you, so start conversation because I can guarantee that everyone wants to make friends. Invite people to go anywhere with you and keep increasing your social circle, because again everyone wants to make friends. My friends and I did a lot, we travelled together, went for lots of walks around Edinburgh, got coffee, went to the library and we explored the night life Edinburgh had to offer (it was pretty great!).
Did you go on any memorable trips to explore your host country or maybe a nearby country?
The Scottish Highlands is a most do for anyone studying aboard in Scotland or UK. The scenery is like nothing else, it was one of the highlights of my exchange. A group of 10 of my close friends and I travelled to the Isle of Skye, we genuinely had the time of our lives. I would do anything to go on a trip to the Scottish Highlands again.
Additionally, Paris with one of my best friends from exchange was a core memory. We spent three days in Paris biking around the city and we saw the Eiffel tower sparkle. I know Paris is an extremely popular destination, but exploring Paris in the off season was perfect. A little tip from me to you is to ask your friends from European countries where they recommend. We got advice from our Parisian friend about things to do in Paris, which meant we got to experience more niche and local spots rather than just the tourist hotspots. Ask those around you for recommendations, locals always know best.
Dublin for St Patricks day is also a major must!!
Describe a normal day in your life overseas: your university, your work placement or your study tour?
I was lucky enough to have classes with about seven of my friends. On days where we had class, we would all meet downstairs and walk to campus together. It was such a simple thing, but every time we walked, you would get the chance to chat with someone new, learn something, or develop a closer friendship. Those walks to class are something I will always cherish.
After class we would meet up with more friends in the café, sometimes we would all walk home together, stay and study or for go for lunch. Most nights my flat hosted something, either a Tuesday night flat night, cooking for each other or games night which was filled with cards, Just Dance and lots of chatting and laughing. I can’t even tell you how many late nights my core friendship group stayed up chatting in the living room.
If we weren’t all hanging out in our living room, then we would be out at the bars and pubs having fun together there. Looking back, it was all these simple, everyday moments that made my exchange experience so special.
What's your one piece of advice for a student who is preparing to study abroad? How should they prepare?
My most important advice to anyone studying aboard is say YES! Say yes to any and all opportunities. I have absolutely zero regrets from my experience because I did it all. I went out even when I was tired or had an early class and whenever anyone asked to do anything even if it was just to join them grocery shopping my answer was always yes. Say yes, I promise it will be worth it.
I went on five international trips and many day trips around Scotland. I think I found the perfect balance between travelling and spending time truly exploring and living in Edinburgh. Edinburgh is now my second city, so enjoy it as much as you can. Really live in and appreciate your host city.
When preparing for study abroad, to be completely honest don’t overthink it! Don’t read too much on anyone else’s experience because you won’t have their experience you will have your own unique experience.
Something I did learn the hard way is do not overpack! Your exchange city, especially Edinburgh, has fantastic shops, so there is no need to bring your entire wardrobe with you. Pack stable clothing and be realistic about what you will wear, or you’ll end up like me, spending a fortune trying to get all your clothes back to Australia.
Finally, write a journal throughout your experience, and be detailed when writing in it. I have already reread mine and reminisced about so many memories. Writing about all my experiences is something I am forever grateful I did because it makes those memories feel just a little bit more real. It is something you can look back on and reread for the rest of your life.
What was something that challenged you?
One of the biggest challenges I faced at the beginning of my time in Edinburgh was the overwhelming feeling of, “Oh wow, I’m really doing this completely alone.” I didn’t know anyone in the country and was the only person from Deakin studying in Edinburgh. It was definitely scary at first, but looking back, I think being on my own was one of the best things that could have happened to me. I didn’t have an established group of friends to fall back on, so I had to put myself out there. I had to start conversations, introduce myself to people, say yes to invitations and completely step outside my comfort zone. What initially felt overwhelming eventually became one of the most empowering feelings. Nobody knows your past or has preconceived ideas about who you are, which gives you the freedom to figure out who you really want to be. You can create a life that feels completely your own and discover parts of yourself that you may never have found at home. I think that is such a special and important experience to have at 20 years old. Edinburgh taught me that stepping into the unknown can be scary, but it can also be where you grow the most and create some of the best parts of yourself.