UK – Rebecca
Student: Rebecca
Course: Bachelor of Creative Writing
Program: Trimester exchange T2 2024
Describe the city you were living in: the landscape, the culture, the weather etc.
Edinburgh is a city that is steeped in a vast history that is both dark and gruesome, but absolutely fascinating. From Old Town’s cobbled streets, closes and gothic architecture that is centuries old, to New Town’s contrasting neoclassical influences. Edinburgh has two amazing viewpoints to overlook the city’s beauty, Catlon Hill and Arthur’s Seat – absolute must do activities when visiting. Doing my exchange in T2 meant I got to experience a Scottish Winter. However, even though some days max temperature was 1°, there’s nothing an extra layer, beanie and gloves can’t fix. Though it honestly felt warmer than some Melbourne Winters! But getting to experience snow falling in a city for the first time was pretty magical.
How did you spend your weekends?
Having visited Scotland before, I focused on exploring more parts of the city at the beginning of my exchange. I walked the Water of Leith Walkway all the way into the city, visited all the museums to learn more about Scottish history, cafe hopped, and sort out all the bookstores I could find! I also was lucky to attend some book signing events getting to meet some of my favourite authors, as well as music events that Edinburgh had to offer. Later during my exchange I travelled to the beautiful Highlands, visited London and York, England, and jetted off to Malta for a wee holiday.
What was something that challenged you?
For me, adjusting to the Scottish university structure was what I found the most challenging. There are slight differences in how material is taught compared to back home and there are more weeks in the trimester too, sometimes making motivation to get over the last hurdle a little bit of a struggle. However, once I wrapped my head around these differences and fell into the groove, I was able to thrive under the guidance of the amazing teachers at ENU. The units, while challenging, also allowed me the opportunity to think more critically on perspectives and theories I had not encountered before, and through the Narratives of Nature unit, I gained a deeper appreciation for nature and the environment. It also has inspired me to reflect on my own individual impacts – becoming one of the most influential units I have studied, and that will continue to inform my efforts in the future.