Hi everyone!
Courses and coursework at the University of Glasgow have started in earnest. Boy, has it been a crazy few weeks! Here is a certified breakdown of some observations and realizations I have had thus far.
Things that have shocked me so far:
The bottle caps here cannot be separated from the bottles! This is to promote sustainability, which is a value I adamantly agree with! However, it has admittedly taken some adjustments to drink properly with the cap attached.
Additionally, the birds here are so, so different from back home! While I logically knew that the fauna would be different, seeing the species in real life is something else! Their squirrels are tiny and gray, whilst their birds are huge and incredibly loud. It’s odd seeing a seagull that looks like the ones in the U.S., but when it opens its mouth, a completely different sound comes out!
Things that are making me sad:
The time change here has been a continuous struggle for me. Even as I am now a few weeks into my study abroad, I have been feeling exhausted every day. My family says that the culture shock may be a reason for this tiredness, but I am wondering if my internal rhythm is still shaken from the change.
Additionally, I am sad that I have not been able to attend as many events as I originally anticipated, simply because my health has been lapsing. In our study abroad orientation, they told us that the adjustment would take a while, but I suppose I did not want to believe them. I have always been overly ambitious as a person; perhaps my lesson here is to plan organically and take the time I need.
Things that are making me happy:
I am meeting so many people from so many differing cultures! Because I have attended many international student events, I have befriended students from Finland, Germany, Romania, and Belgium! I really enjoy asking each other questions and exchanging opinions on philosophy, cuisine, and politics. The other day, we went out for coffee and talked about theatre, and it was one of the most enlightening conversations of my life! On September 29th, a group of us toured Edinburgh together, as well!
Things I am looking forward to:
I am looking forward to genuinely joining some societies and organizations on campus. At the University of Oklahoma, I made most of my friends from class or from joining theatrical productions. Here, however, the classes are huge and intimidating, and the productions are not mandatory, so I have had a struggle meeting other Scottish students. It is an isolating feeling, but I have hope that once I join some clubs, things will pick up!
Things I have questions about:
I’m still not sure which side of the road to walk on. The locals have told me to keep right, while some social media has said left. In my observations, many people simply walk straight down the middle and avoid each other when needed. This may be a topic I simply need to continue investigating throughout my time here.
Things I miss:
I dearly miss my friends and loved ones. I’ve found that, when you are in a lovely or beautiful place, you do not forget other wonderful things, but are simply reminded of them. When I find a good coffee shop or see a beautiful view, I find myself wishing that the people I love were there to experience it with me. I’m thinking that this will remain a theme of my time here as well.
