I Moved to Scotland!?!?

Travel, in case you can’t tell, is an incredibly important part of my life. Having grown up on the tales of my mum’s adventures during her exchange in Turkey and trips everywhere from the Galapagos to Singapore, the value of travel and how it broadens your world has been something I’ve not just accepted but embraced. I’ve been fortunate enough to have quite a few of my own adventures for my age; living in South Africa in the 10th grade(and starting my first blog), road tripping through Greece, the states, and Iceland; with every trip, the travel bug has just tightened its grip on me.

So, needless to say, I knew going into university that I wanted to spend some time abroad. The added bonus of adding archaeology to my list of majors, the idea made more and more sense as time went on. So, last year, I began the process. It’s not simple-there are applications to your home institution, applications to the school you’re nominated for, applications for visas, trying to sort out classes, housing, travel documents, and so much more. I honestly didn’t let myself get my hopes up until I was on the plane because there were so many gates I had to get through to get here. But, long story short, I moved to Scotland!

Glasgow, to be exact. Why? Well, to be blatently honest, because I wanted to. Because how many oppertunities like this do you have in your life. Because why the hell not?

I mean, I promise it’s more three dimensional than that. First of all, it had a complementary program that would work well with my u of t degree. It’s a country I’ve always had on my list of places I wanted to visit. It’s a short train from my exchange sister, someone I’ve missed immensly since saying goodbye to her a year ago. It also has a deep history itself. Given that my degree is partially archaeology, I really wanted a place that a) I could get involved in the research doe by the university and b) I could travel safely by myself.

So….what’s Scotland like so far?

Incredibly friendly. Beautiful weather(yeah, I was surprised too). and, as hippie-ish as this sounds, it has an incredible energy. In Toronto, as the school year starts, you can feel the anxiety and fear of missing out and stress in the very air. I love the place, but you walk out your front door and you’re struck with the feeling that you’re not doing enough and not good enough. Glasgow is different-the energy makes you want to do your best, but to enjoy yourself while doing it.

Maybe I’m over analyzing it though.

TLDR; It’s a lot of fun.

When I landed, the first person I saw was Carrie, my exchange sister! I was so flipping excited. We spent the day wandering the main shopping district, outfitting my new room with everything I could need and finished off the day with a beautiful dinner.

There’s nothing quite like bubbly rosé to celebrate a reunion, right?

The downtown shopping area of Glasgow is almost purely pedestrian, and it’s hard not to fall hard and fast for the city with the incredible archetecture, buskers, and the warm, sunny weather we’ve been getting.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been wandering, for the most part. I’m settling into living in a dorm again, learning the bus system, and participating in wayyyyy too many start of school parties. It’s been an adventure already, to say the least.

I’ve really loved walking through all the little markets and shops near the university, and even though I don’t have a kitchen, wandering through the food shops makes me feel right at home.

Scotland is known for its natural abundance, and its seafood is no different.

Glasgow has recently been dubbed the “foodie capital of Scotland” and while I am on a student budget and surviving off dorm food (big oof), the occasional artisan pastry has certainly made it easier.

Personally, my favourite part of the last few weeks has been wandering the museums. Unlike Toronto, museums here are open to the public, so even if I only have half an hour I can go learn something new.

And, as you can imagine, the Harry Potter nerd in me almost died when I first walked through the school. It is truly a building that looks like it belongs in a fairytale, and I can’t believe I’m fortunate enough to be able to study here for the next year.

The famousuniversity cloisters have been busy with club fairs, student union competitions, and the occasional swordfighter over the last two weeks. Seriously. Swordfights. Between that and the university offering bagpiping classes, I never forget I’m in Scotland.

But yeah! I moved to Scotland! I’m pretty excited to take this blog with me over the next year, and if you have any recommendations for my year abroad, let me know in the comments! If you want to follow the onslaught of photos, follow my instagram!