Dayna's Exchange to University of Dundee | Scotland
I studied abroad in Scotland at the University of Dundee for a year – semester two, 2015 and semester one, 2016. Hands down, it is the best decision I’ve made.
After goodbyes to my family at the departure gate, I tried to get rid of my tears by the time I walked up to the lady at the customs gate. She reassured me this was normal and asked where and what I was studying in the UK – straight away this made me feel better. When the plane was about to take off from Perth, I was so excited, and of course nervous, but ready for everything I was about to experience in my year ahead. It’s a pretty crazy feeling to know you have no idea who your friends, and home will be for the next year. It’s still surreal to think about, one of the best and unexplainable feelings ever.
I had a friend living close to Dundee who I stayed with when I first got to Scotland and at various times of the year. They spoilt and welcomed me to Scotland like no one could for my entire year there – this is just a reflection of how welcome and accommodating Scottish people are. A friend at uni living in Edinburgh had only met me a few times, when she invited myself, and several friends that she hadn’t even met yet to stay with her over New Years, as she refused to let me pay accommodation at Edinburgh’s New Years prices haha – again this shows how generous Scottish people are… When you’re abroad things like this mean the world to you.
In my first days in Scotland my friend’s Mum said to me, “it’s funny when you first move somewhere, not knowing anyone in a city.” That’s when it really hit me – I had said goodnight to my friend’s family and realized everyone I knew was sleeping back home haha. I had the same feeling the first nights I moved into my flat in Dundee, but I never felt this again or was homesick.
Most of my bestfriends in Dundee were exchange students, most from Europe but also everywhere you can think of… I met a friend that studies in Germany but is from Ecuador, speaking fluent English, German and Spanish, pretty unique! It really is true you will meet people you never would have. Everyone is in the same position, like-minded, wanting to travel and have a good time. My flatmates were Scottish, which was great to mix with locals. The Scots are culturally really similar to us – always up for a good time (probably even more so than an Aussie haha), welcoming and hilarious. Their sarcasm is definitely stronger and better than ours too haha. Scottish slang is pretty unique, learning it from my flatmates definitely made for a few laughs, by the end of the year (even now), I still use some slang I picked up (constantly amusing my family since).
But about Dundee itself: Although Dundee isn’t the biggest city it is big enough and I wouldn’t have had it any other way! Not only did going to a friend’s place mean never more than a ten minute walk, you would always bump into someone at the uni library or when shopping at Lidl. It’s also between Edinburgh and Glasgow, making it perfect for weekend trips away and so close to major cities. One of the best things about Dundee and the university itself is the student union (for students, by students). Every Tuesday night, “Skint night”, the drinks are one pound with one pound entry, “nae bad” as the Scots would say. From Halloween to St Patricks Day, the union throws an amazing party, but the union itself is such an easy and cheap spot to meet with your friends: it has four levels, two nightclubs, two bars, a games room with pool tables, restaurant/food you can grab at uni in the day, and the union is on campus. The people and campus at the University are so friendly, which makes going to uni that much more enjoyable. And if you’re worried about the infamous UK weather, Dundee is the sunniest city in Scotland!
My highlights of Dundee are the travels, going to the Isle of Skye/highlands, seeing snow for the first time, parties, how friendly the uni is, and of course the people themselves. Dundee has such a homely vibe to it, every time I returned from a trip it was always a good feeling to be back in Dundee. I met up with a friend from Perth that was living in Edinburgh, we were comparing something and said “at home we..” – this was the first time I’d seen someone not from Dundee over there which allowed for this, and remember saying to my friend, “that was the first time I called Dundee home.” I had a similar feeling when I was telling my flatmate from Glasgow that I accidentally called my flatmates my family, when I was telling a story about them to my exchange friends. She replied by saying, “we are your Scottish family.” I’m smiling thinking of these times right now.
My exchange taught me so much. Situations where you’re able to hand in an assignment, find out about basketball registration, shop for a trip and pack for a weekend trip to munich, all in the space of one morning to be just a few minutes late when you’re called to leave to the aiport – makes you realize anything is possible! It also has made me so much more organized and confident within my degree, being totally independent at the start of your studies in an abroad country gives you independence like no other. It also gave me a better and global perspective of my degree (law).
Dundee, and Scottyland truly became my second home. It will always be the place I called my home away from home. I remember thinking in the last few months of my exchange, “I can actually see myself living here now, for good.” Whether I do or don’t isn’t the point, but it’s the fact exchange creates a whole life for you, and friends that are family. If there’s even a 1% feeling whether you should do exchange – do it. Life really doesn’t change much in a year in, and your friends and family will be here when you return. I travelled 14 countries, 30+ cities and made bestfriends and life-long friends from all around the world in my ten months abroad – I wouldn’t give my study abroad up for anything in the world, and can’t wait for the day I’ll return to Europe and catch up with my Dundee pals!
- Dayna studied abroad at the University of Dundee in Scotland
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Murdoch University Study Abroad & Exchange - Outbound
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTACT US!
EMAIL: studyabroad@murdoch.edu.au
PHONE: +61 8 93607836
VISIT: Murdoch University, Student Centre, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA, 6150
FIND US!
WEBSITE: http://our.murdoch.edu.au/Student-life/Join-in/Overseas-study-opportunities/
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/murdochoutbound
INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/murdochoutbound
