One of the greatest opportunities students have while studying abroad is traveling. Being in such close proximity to some of the most breathtaking views, historic sites and charming cities is a gift that should not be taken for granted.
That being said, I would argue that familiarizing yourself with your university abroad and the surrounding area is of equal importance. This is a lesson I’ve been slow to learn over these past few months and something I wish I realized sooner. Don’t get me wrong, traveling certainly has its perks, but I have found myself somewhat regretful of not exploring my beautiful home city sooner.
Over the past week, I have committed to long, daily walks. This has proven to be one of my new favorite aspects of my routine and one that I will continue for the foreseeable future. On my walks, I’ve been able to explore so much more of Edinburgh than I ever have before. I simply pick a spot on the map that I haven’t visited yet and that’s approximately 30 minutes away and walk there. On my explorations, I’ve found beautiful lookout spots, cozy cafes and wondrous buildings.
This morning, I walked to Abbeyhill, an area a bit north of me. Walking along the Royal Mile, I found shops, museums and even palaces that I was unaware of until today. The highlight of my journey had to be Holyrood Palace, just off of Canongate. As I approached the palace, I was pleasantly surprised to see just how gorgeous it truly is.
Located below Arthur’s Seat, the palace is a breathtaking sight, especially in the sunlight. I am so excited to bring along my friends to show them what I discovered. Along with the city, there are plenty of places just a few hours drive from Edinburgh that I’m thrilled to visit. This weekend, some friends and I will be taking a tour to see Loch Ness, the Scottish Highlands and Glencoe. Then in a couple weekends, we will be taking the short one-hour bus to visit Glasgow, another bustling city in Scotland.
Besides exploring the actual city of Edinburgh; something else that I wish I’d involved myself in are the heaps of clubs and societies available to students on campus. They have everything you could possibly imagine, from ballroom dancing to a cappella groups.
One that I tried out earlier in the semester was the Edinburgh University Modern Dance Society. I attended a “taster” session that showcased all the different styles of dance they offer and had an absolute blast. Unfortunately for me, the class that I was interested in didn’t quite work with my schedule, but I am so glad I discovered it.
Another perk of joining a society is the opportunity to attend a ball at some point during the semester. Pretty much every university society or club has a ball, and it’s a fun excuse to get dressed up, have a nice meal and get to know more of the people in your organization. Joining groups like these is a great way to get yourself more involved with the student life at your university.
Edinburgh is one of the most unique and charming cities I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting. I definitely took it for granted in the past, but I’m happy to be finally giving my beautiful city the love and appreciation it deserves.
If you are also abroad or looking to go abroad, don’t make the same mistakes I did. Explore the place where you are right now instead of waiting so long to cherish it. I feel lucky to have been placed in such a historic, charming and friendly city and I can’t wait to keep getting to know the wonderful place of Edinburgh, Scotland.
This post was contributed by Katherine Tschirhart, a Global Ambassador for Spring 2024. Katherine is a junior corporate communications studies major studying abroad in Edinburgh, Scotland.
wow!