By Mahina Warren

Student life:

Student life at Stirling University is never lonely. There are always clubs to join and activities to take part in, which me and my flat mates have thoroughly enjoyed. For example, we have been to a ping pong tournament where we were able to win a 10 pound food voucher, and we also participated in a true crime murder mystery night, which was also really fun and a cool way to meet new people. There are also many things to enjoy for students to enjoy in town and the surrounding area. Last week for Guy Fawkes night (or Bonfire night, as they call it in the UK), my friends and I went to a local park just down the road from campus where they had a big bonfire, food trucks, and fireworks for only 7 pounds a ticket! Another big bonus of being a student at Stirling is that you are entitled to the 20% off student discounts at various cafes and bars around town, which has helped me save so much money.

Travelling while abroad:

Study abroad actually gives you a lot of freedom to travel. During our mid semester break, I was able to go to Ireland for a week, with it being only an hour flight. I should have been nervous as this was my first ever SOLO trip to a foreign country, but after being in the UK for a month beforehand where I had to navigate public transport and new cities already, I found myself pleasantly equipped and untroubled. I stayed in Dublin a few nights, where I did a day trip to Glendalough in County Wicklow, and then travelled to the west coast of Ireland to Galway and Connemara.