I know you were all anxiously awaiting a post about the history of the Parliament building but that's just going to have to wait.
Around this time last week I was seeing my new campus for the first time. I got off of the bus with no idea where to go. The first person I talked to was a Spanish exchange student in the same situation. Exchange students were lugging bags all over campus. Freshmen were moving in as well but they were distinguishable due to having families and lots of stuff being pulled out of a car. All of us travelling abroad generally stumbled out of buses or taxis with two suitcases and a backpack.
At the dorms we were given our keys and shown around. The rooms are small but they are our own. Every twenty rooms or so share a kitchen. The kitchen has quickly become our home base. Our kitchen in particular is known throughout the building. Within the first day or two we had exchange students and freshers from all over the building in there socializing.
The dorms here are where I have noticed the biggest differences between the US and Scotland. The drinking age here is 18 so people drinking in the dorms isn't a problem, it is an accepted part of living here. Those who are in charge don't mind if we have alcohol as long as we don't walk about with open containers. We are even allowed to smoke in our rooms as long as it is done near the open window - careful to not set off the fire alarms.
Somewhat annoyingly to many of us here, all of the American exchange students have been put in the same section. While I do wish there were a few more actual Scottish people on our floor i'll admit it is nice having people at the same place in life around. The freshmen are lovely but it has been their first week at Uni, away from their parents for the first time. There is a lot learned when living on your own for the first time.
Friendships have been made already. Plans are growing to see other parts of the UK and Scotland. Many of us have various connections across Europe so we hope to build off of each other to see as much as we can in the next few weeks and months.
Around this time last week I was seeing my new campus for the first time. I got off of the bus with no idea where to go. The first person I talked to was a Spanish exchange student in the same situation. Exchange students were lugging bags all over campus. Freshmen were moving in as well but they were distinguishable due to having families and lots of stuff being pulled out of a car. All of us travelling abroad generally stumbled out of buses or taxis with two suitcases and a backpack.
At the dorms we were given our keys and shown around. The rooms are small but they are our own. Every twenty rooms or so share a kitchen. The kitchen has quickly become our home base. Our kitchen in particular is known throughout the building. Within the first day or two we had exchange students and freshers from all over the building in there socializing.
Main cooking area. Two stoves and two ovens, cupboards for rooms as well as general storage
Main eating and food storage area. Complete with locked cupboards for each room, two fridges, toaster, microwave, and hot water heater.
The dorms here are where I have noticed the biggest differences between the US and Scotland. The drinking age here is 18 so people drinking in the dorms isn't a problem, it is an accepted part of living here. Those who are in charge don't mind if we have alcohol as long as we don't walk about with open containers. We are even allowed to smoke in our rooms as long as it is done near the open window - careful to not set off the fire alarms.
Somewhat annoyingly to many of us here, all of the American exchange students have been put in the same section. While I do wish there were a few more actual Scottish people on our floor i'll admit it is nice having people at the same place in life around. The freshmen are lovely but it has been their first week at Uni, away from their parents for the first time. There is a lot learned when living on your own for the first time.
Friendships have been made already. Plans are growing to see other parts of the UK and Scotland. Many of us have various connections across Europe so we hope to build off of each other to see as much as we can in the next few weeks and months.
Rainbow over the west wing of AK Davidson as viewed from my kitchen in the west wing.
Nice rainbow picture!
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