It seems like my life has been twisted upside down, turned around on its side, and restarted. I’ve officially settled into Edinburgh, registered for classes, and am in every way except for attending classes (which starts next week) feel like a University of Edinburgh student. My flatmates have both settled in as well, and I am so lucky to have found such great friends to share this crazy new life with.
Most of this weekend was spent in Texas time—as in I slept during the day and stayed up till about 6 only because I couldn’t sleep before then!—but I think I’m finally getting into the swing of things. My flat is literally thirty seconds away from the main part of the campus, and my bedroom the Meadows, which is one of the prettiest views I've ever had, without a doubt! I’ve explored the Old and the New Towns of Edinburgh and I am just amazed at the beauty around me. It took me five days to realize that I’ve been walking well over three miles every day in just my day to day errands because I’m constantly distracted by the architecture, the people, and the atmosphere. What a difference from where I went to school in the US, College Station--in Aggieland, I would drive my car directly from my house to the business school lot, park, walk into the building and my classes, drive to work, and then drive home. I already feel healthier, and I imagine I’ll come back to the States addicted to walking.
I’ve just had a bit of experience with the actual University—I met with my Director of Studies today, which is almost the same as our US advisors back home. Basically, my DoS is in charge of making sure that all my classes work with my degree programme, which for me, just means that the classes I wanted are in my schedule, as I’m just visiting for the year. It’s different enough that I’ve had to take things in as they go; the class schedules have very low contact hours compared to many programs in the United States, and rely on self guidance quite a bit. What’s really interesting is that there are compulsory tutorials that exist for each course, so even though I only meet with my International Law class on Mondays and Thursdays from 11:10-12, I’ve got additional meeting times that I must attend. In these tutorials, at least to my understanding, you’re given work from your prof that the class works on or goes through together. The idea is that you are constantly being required to actively be involved in the class, beyond simply attending. This is different than in the States, as, at least in my experience, lectures are pretty much all that's required.
I’ve started to pick up some new words from living with the Scots, which is going to make this year more fun than I’d imagined. My flatmates, both of whom are from the Highlands, are slightly beyond understandable at times, to the point that I have to ask them to repeat themselves and concentrate really hard to figure out what in tarnation they’re saying! My favorites so far are the words they say in normal conversation: my flatmate Hamish actually says ‘och’ and ‘aye’ and ‘wee’ all the time, and Sheena has the more obscure Inverness words that I can’t even remember after she’s said them. I never really thought that I had a strong Texas accent until I moved in with the Highlanders who giggle every time I say ‘y’all’ and repeat everything I say. It’s all in good fun, though—I drive them to hysterics with my attempts at a Highland brogue.
Probably the word that I’ve picked up and used the most so far is ‘knackered,’ which just means ‘tired,’ but is so much more fun to say. That being said, I am completely knackered at the moment from transitioning from Texas, so I’ll leave off by announcing that I’m taking yet another adventure tomorrow, this time to Bavaria! I’m off to Munich for the Munich Lindy Exchange (and directly coming back for the start of term), so I hope everyone has a great week!!
Peace y’all!-- Erika
