Before coming to Edinburgh, I didn’t have a clear picture of what studying abroad would be like. I just knew there would be a lot of academic reading, group projects, and maybe a chance to see things from a different cultural perspective. Once the courses started, the pace was fast and the content dense—often abstract. Especially when we were discussing topics like media theory, future imaginaries, or social structures, I found myself constantly stuck in a space of “I think I get it, but I can’t quite explain it.”

But that uncertainty forced me to pay more attention to how I think. I used to draw clear lines between things: technology is technology, emotion is emotion, social inequality is another category altogether. But in many of our classes and projects, we were encouraged to analyze how these areas intersect—like how algorithmic bias shapes digital experiences, how AI-generated language can influence public narratives, or how advertising constructs certain ideas of an “ideal” life.

One of the biggest shifts for me was learning to ask better questions, and being more open to different answers. There weren’t any fixed “right” perspectives in our discussions. Instead, we were constantly asked: “How did you arrive at that conclusion?” or “What assumptions are built into your argument?” At first I found this exhausting, but over time, I realized it was helping me develop a way of thinking—one that slows down, looks at context, and avoids jumping to conclusions.

Beyond theory, I also appreciated the hands-on projects we worked on—from writing proposals to interviews and designing solutions. Each one pushed me to articulate my ideas more clearly, and helped me discover where my interests lie—somewhere between creativity and critical social questions. I used to think creativity was mainly about making things look good. Now I see it as a way of responding to the world.

I wouldn’t say I’ve mastered anything just yet, but I do feel clearer about what I care about, and what kind of problems I want to explore. And for me, that’s the most valuable part of studying here.

A Slow Process of Learning How to Understand the World / JUDY's BLOG💗 by is licensed under a