Hey guys! I’m Andria and I’m a current first year medical student. As an international student from Taiwan, I have had to move (quite literally) across the world to Edinburgh. At the time, I remember being quite excited but also a bit nervous as I wasn’t sure what to expect, a feeling I’m sure many of you can relate to. Now that I have been here for almost half a year, I wanted to share a bit about my experiences in Edinburgh so far!
Arrival & Settling In
When you first arrive at a new place, it can be quite hectic as there are many errands to run, from setting up a bank account to buying home essentials for your new room. I highly recommend checking the University’s website, where you can find instructions and advice about move-in dates for their accommodation, VISA documents, etc. And don’t forget to reach out to staff for help when you need it as some things can be quite complicated the first time!
When moving into your accommodation, I also found it really worthwhile to spend time making your room feel like home, or just a familiar, comfortable place you can always return to. This could be by decorating your room with fairy lights, buying a potted plant, or lining the cork board with pictures of family and friends.
Freshers’ week is also an especially great opportunity to meet new friends and get to know the different clubs and societies, as this will help you find a “home away from home.”
Tapping Into Reminders of Home
Homesickness is something almost everyone struggles with, but there are also many ways to navigate it and create a sense of belonging in a new environment. Depending on the people you meet and where you’re originally from, you may not find many friends from your home country, which was my experience until I started signing up for society events. There are many country-specific societies across the University, like the Taiwanese Society and Singaporean Society, that regularly host social events where you can not only enjoy local dishes, but also meet new people – a lot of whom may be from the same culture as you!
Regarding food specifically, there are many, many cultural restaurants around the main campus as well, and it is always nice to go have a meal with your friends every now and then.
And, as always, a simple remedy for homesickness is simply facetiming your family back home. No matter how busy I am during the day, I always take some time out, even if it’s just ten minutes, to call my parents. This is something I look forward to everyday, and knowing that your family is always there for you, one call away, can also be very reassuring!
Weather
And of course, no discussion about Edinburgh is complete without mentioning the weather. Coming from a tropical country, I found Edinburgh to be very, very windy, which can make you feel cold no matter the actual temperature. Therefore, I recommend owning a few scarves and at least one thick jacket, like a puffer, that is preferably water resistant as well (it tends to drizzle often, and umbrellas may not be too useful with the winds). The sunny days, when they do happen, are always a great opportunity to go out on a walk, even if it’s just around the meadows, which is very pretty in the sun!
Moving to University can be exciting with its own set of challenges, but even if you may feel a little lost at first, give it time. Step outside your comfort zone, and give yourself the opportunity to explore all that Edinburgh has to offer, from ceilidhs to their famous Christmas market and Hogmanay celebrations. And slowly this new place will feel like home!
