By: Rhys Trask

Student Life

Life as a student at the University of Stirling has been an adventure, and an adventure that I will look back on for many years. Even from my first week, everyone I speak to is very friendly and very welcoming, and they love to hear about New Zealand. Whenever I tell people I have come all the way from New Zealand, they always ask: What is it like? Are you from the North or South Island? How long was the flight? And why have you come all the way to Scotland? Being from New Zealand has been a great ice breaker and a great starter conversation to get to know people.

The university campus is stunning, with a loch in the middle that reflects the sky above and clear days and the rolling hills behind, including Dumyat Hill. The sports facilities at the university are some of the best I have ever seen, and students can use them if they get a membership. The campus also has some shops like the university shop, a pharmacy, and for food, a supermarket, vegan food, and scran for pizza and other food. Over here, there are only three papers each semester rather than four at Waikato, which has allowed me plenty of free time to see Scotland and explore the town of Stirling.

One of the coolest parts of being on exchange is meeting people from all over the world, from Singapore, Hong Kong, and the United States, to name a few. It’s been so interesting comparing our countries’ slang terms, pronunciation, culture, and cuisines.

Travelling while abroad

I am halfway through my exchange at the University of Stirling, and it has been amazing. Since I arrived in Scotland, I have been amazed by the scenery, historic buildings, and landscapes. Scotland has proved that there are many things to do, and I have barely scratched the surface.

During my time here, I have travelled to Edinburgh and was amazed by how much there is to do there, and I still have a list of things to do there, Glasgow, to watch Celtic FC play against Hibernian, Loch Lomond truly amazed me and going up Calton hill to get one of the best views I’ve ever seen, St Andrews was on my list to go to as I got to see the old golf course, and see the quaint town. I have plans to go to the Isle of Skye, Fort William, Inverness, and Thurso, the northernmost town on the British mainland.

Something I didn’t expect travelling around Scotland as being under 22, all buses are free when you get a Young Scot Card. The railway network in Scotland reaches all parts of the country and is discounted with a railcard.

So far, I haven’t left Scotland, only travelled within the country, and yet there is still so much more to see. The landscapes of Scotland are truly astonishing, from the mountains to the lakes and the little towns next to them. During my time here, I have hiked up Conic Hill to see a view of Loch Lomond and Dumyat Hill over the back of the university to see a view of Stirling and the surrounding towns. I have planned to go up many different mountains, such as Ben Ledi, Arthur’s Seat, The Law, Ben Cleuch, Ben Ever, Dumgoyne Hill, Ben More, and Stob Binnein. With half of a semester left to go, I hope to do everything on my list. Overall, my experiences have been once in a lifetime, and I’m looking forward to my future adventures while still in Scotland. Using my time on the opposite side of the world to see as much of Scotland as I can while still doing my studies.