Finding home in Edinburgh
By Lauren, from the USA, studying MSc Psychological Research.
Like most international students, I worried about feeling homesick before my move to Edinburgh to start my masters. I knew Edinburgh would feel different from home and I wasn’t sure I’d find community, comfort, and a connection to home.
Finding comfort in food
As a native New Yorker, one of my main concerns was saying goodbye to my favourite foods, since no one can make bagels or pizza quite like home (obviously). I was prepared for a completely new diet of sausage rolls, beans on toast, and Sunday roasts.
Since arriving in Edinburgh, I have had the pleasure of trying a Greggs sausage roll (really good, actually!) and I have absolutely loved trying traditional Scottish dishes and using food as a way to explore different cultures. But when homesickness hits and nothing feels familiar, I feel most comforted by dishes I’ve had since childhood.
Here are some spots that get my official stamp of approval on some classic New York foods.
A New York-style breakfast in Edinburgh
First and foremost, bagels are a staple New York breakfast food, and they are often eaten with cream cheese and lox (or smoked salmon).
If you’re looking for a great take on this delicious breakfast sandwich, I’d recommend going down to Babka on Brougham Place, right next to the Meadows! Babka’s bagel includes an extra sprinkle of dill, bringing me right back to the bagels I’d eat at home.
Searching for a New York slice
For a (pretty) authentic New York slice of pizza in Edinburgh, I’d recommend Civerinos.
They are a fan-favorite chain Italian restaurant across Edinburgh, but their Forrest Road location is right on the University of Edinburgh central campus. Civerinos slices are HUGE (¼ of a 20-inch pizza) and the dips are incredible– I have to shout out the truffle & garlic aioli! This thin-crust pizza is a great deal on a student budget and truly tastes like home.
Some of my absolute favourite memories at the University of Edinburgh so far have been trying new foods with friends and sharing dishes from our home countries. Whether eating a Civerinos slice sitting in the Meadows or on Portobello Beach, food has helped me feel at home and share that experience with my friends from all over the world.
Community through sports
Another way I’ve felt connected to home while in Edinburgh has been through playing Ultimate Frisbee. I began playing Ultimate in my first year of undergrad back in the United States and it has helped me build close relationships throughout the many years I’ve been playing.
As I prepared to move to Edinburgh, one of my biggest worries was how I’d build a social life without the support system that Ultimate has always provided.
I was thrilled to discover that the University of Edinburgh has its own competitive Ultimate Frisbee team, Ro Sham Bo. This club sport is open to postgraduate students as well as undergraduates, so I’ve had the opportunity to meet students of all ages.
Becoming a member of the Performance Team allows me to play competitively and take part in tournaments across the UK. Ro Sham is competing in the British Universities and Colleges Sport Women’s Outdoor Nationals in Nottingham in early April, so wish us luck! I have had an incredible experience playing a sport I know and love in a new country and connecting with people from around the world who share my love for Ultimate.
Looking back
When I decided to study at the University of Edinburgh, I knew I would be stepping into the unknown. But I wish I could reassure my past self that there are pieces of home everywhere, even when you least expect them. I’ve been able to keep my homesickness at bay through the delicious food around Edinburgh and sharing new experiences with the great friends I’ve made on my course. I’ve also found a great support network in the Ultimate community, which has taken care of me for the past six years, even in another country!
I guess my biggest takeaway from my time studying overseas is that it is always possible to feel connected to home, even from far away. And it feels even better to share your experiences of home with all the new friends you meet along the way!
