Did you enjoy your semester in Dundee ?

“The best experience of my life”

Living abroad is not easy. We leave our family, friends, all our habits. We arrive in a new country with another language, culture and people.

The first days were complicated because I realised that I was alone and I was here for 4 months.

The first thing that I did was Facetime my family.

A few days after, it was better. I went to the university, I started to visit the country and I met my flatmates.

Now, when I’m thinking about this experience, I can say, “it’s the best experience of my life”. Why ?

Because I met people, I studied new courses; I saw another way of studying (which is better than in France). I discovered a new country and saw amazing places. I also did new sports like Kangoo Jump.

What did experience bring you ?

“Travel changes you”

I enjoyed my life in Scotland and I regret nothing.

I learned a lot of things during these 4 months, because I lived in a community so I had to be more clement and less strict.

Now, I know that we have one life and we have to enjoy it. It is important to discover other people and other country; it’s a way to be more open-minded.

“Travel often; getting lost will help you find yourself”

I will never forget all the places that I have seen, all the people that I met, all the moment that I shared here. Even when I was lost in the cities, I liked it. Because I had to search by myself, talk with people to have more information.

What did you enjoy the most ?

Maybe the best moments are:

-When my family came to Scotland :

During that week I had to speak English instead of my parents and translate for them. And that’s when I realised that my English was better because now I can have a conversation with someone. Even if I still make mistakes, my sentences are easily understandable.

-When I spent a weekend in Edinburgh:

It was the opportunity to see Scotland’s biggest city. To me, it’s also the most beautiful city.

-Stonehaven and Arbroath cliffs : it was amazing because I saw very beautiful landscapes

-All parties with my flatmates

How did you like the courses ?

To be honest, I liked all the courses. I liked the way of studying here. We have less courses than in France but it is an opportunity for us to focus on the most important points.

The best is “International Financial Accounting” because we studied the international accounting so it can be very useful in the future. The teacher was perfect because she spoke without an accent and not faster.

“Corporate Finance” and “Taxation” were less interesting but useful.

Would you recommend spending a semester in Dundee ?

Yeah, sure.

First, the city is very nice, there are a lot of students and there are so many things to do.

Moreover, the university is pretty good. The teachers are always here for us. If we need something they reply very fast! They are worried about our future, and they help students to be more confident for the exam and for the future.

And, Scotland is a very beautiful country. I saw a lot of fabulous landscapes: I will never forget this !

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The Christmas markets are a tradition of German culture, dating back to the Middle Ages. They are held every year in Edinburgh, where the famous Frankfurt Christmas Market is held.

The “Père Noël” is called Santa Claus or The Father Christmas.

On the 25^th December, most of families are going to the Church to listen carols. (The religion is important in Scotland).

After, they get together with for the Christmas lunch.

For the Christmas day the traditional menu is a roast turkey with potatoes and a pudding for dessert.

Edinburgh Christmas Market

Edinburgh Christmas Market

But the principal party in Scotland is the New Year. The real name is “The Hogmanay”.

At midnight, all people drink a glass of whisky (and not champagne, it is different than in France).

Moreover, a story said : “we have to wait The ‘Quaaltagh” or the ‘first foot’. This is the first visitor of this New Year. He will be a young, beautiful, tall and with black hair.” If this happened, you will be lucky all the year.

For the New Year the traditional main course is haggis. This is a “sheep’s stomach”. It is like the “black pudding”.

On 1^st January there is the Loony Dook. This is the “annual dive” in the Forth River in South Queensferry.

In Edinburgh, during this period there is a festival. People can dance and sing together. There are a lot of bagpipers. More than two thousands of people are in front of the castle to see the fireworks.

Most of the time, the party end up in a traditional pub.

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On Black Friday, shops prices plummet for 24 hours. The goal is that people buy a lot of things before Christmas. . The day earned its name, as it’s often the day shops ‘move into the black’, meaning they have enough money to cover their costs.

But, frequently there are fights between people because they want to buy the same things. Indeed, people are crazy during this night.

The term originates from the U.S. The day after Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday, It officially marks the beginning of the holiday season as retailers prepare for Christmas trade. Although in the past it has traditionally occurred within the U.S., now British retailers want to offer similar deals for UK customers.

Black Friday

This year, Black Friday will fall on Friday 25 November.

All stores, online and offline, offer big promotions on products. Larger retailers such as Amazon and Argos offer up to 75% off. It’s a big day for the purchase of electrical goods, mobiles and tablets (such as HD TVs, phones, beauty products, home accessories, fashion and toys)

Moreover, some retailers begin before such as “Amazon” who launched his Black Friday 12 days early.

But, be careful, unfortunately we can’t expect too many laptop bargains. Because Both Apple and Microsoft say they will raise prices in the UK by about 20 per cent due to the fall in the pound’s value since the UK voted to leave the EU.

A lot of shops are doing the Black Friday, even the most famous supermarket in UK : “Tesco”.

The nightclubs also do the Black Friday, such as “The Union”. We can have the enter at 99p (instead of £5) on 25^th November but also one week before (18^th November)

The real question is, at what time does it start?

In the US, traditionally stores opened at 6am. However more recently retailers want to open at midnight.

In Scotland, it will start at 6am and end at 8pm.

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Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland.

There are 2 different districts: the old town where there is the castle and the new town.

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle

It is situated on the Castle Rock, a volcanic hill.

The gun is fired at 1pm every day except Sundays, Christmas Day or Good Friday, with crowds gathering to enjoy the spectacle.

There are so many places :

-The Great hall: A wonder of medieval Scotland, it was completed in 1511 for James IV. It is the heart of the castle.

-The Royal palace: For kings and queens the palace was a richly decorated and with comfortable furnishing

-St Margaret’s Chapel: It was built around 1130 by David I and dedicated to his mother Queen Margaret. The chapel is still used for christenings and weddings.

-Scottish National War Museum: Commemorating the dead of both world wars and of military campaigns since 1945.

-Prisons of War : Between 1757 and 1815, there were one thousand of French and American prisoners

Edinburgh Castle

Royal Botanical Garden

The 28-hectares of the Garden are calm and relaxing. This is free except greenhouses

The rhododendrons are one of the main attractions in the garden.

Inside of the futurist greenhouse we can walk on sinuous ways.

Greenhouses

In the botanical Garden we can easily see squirrels.

Squirrel in the Botanical Garden

Calton hill

It is at one hundred metre of altitude. It is called the “Edinburgh Acropolis”

We can see there the National Monument of Scotland. It is the Scotland’s national memorial to the Scottish soldiers and sailors who died fighting in the Napoleonic Wars. It was designed during 1823 – 1826 and is modeled upon the Parthenon in Athens. Construction started in 1826 and, due to the lack of funds, was left unfinished in 1829.

National Monument of Scotland

Holyrood

Palace of holyrood

Palace of Holyroodhouse:

There are many rooms :

-State Apartments

-Throne Room

-Evening Drawing Room

-Morning Drawing Room

-King’s suite

-King’s chamber

-Historic apartments

Holyrood park and Arthur’s seat:

The parks highest point is Arthurs Seat, an ancient volcano, and sits 251m above sea level giving excellent view of the city. This is one of four hill forts dating from around 2000 years ago.

Arthur’s seat

Arthur’s seat

Royal yacht Britannia

In The Royal Yacht Britannia some of the world’s most famous people came.

It was home for the British Royal Family for over 40 years.

The visit starts at the bridge, after we can discover the Royal Apartments and explore the Crew’s Quarters. The last place is the Engine Room.

The most beautiful places inside are:

-Magnificent Royal Apartments and Royal Bedrooms

-The Sun Lounge: The Queen’s favourite room

Royal Mile

Four streets constitute the royal mile: Castle Hill, Lawnmarket, High Street and Canongate. This is the most beautiful and the biggest road.

Other good places in Edinburgh

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Hourly Rate :

The minimum hourly rate depends on the age of people.

The current rates for the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage are :

-25 and over : £7.20

-21 to 24: £6.70

-18 to 20: £5.30

-Under 18: £3.87

Working time regulations

Workers over 18 are usually entitled to 3 types of break :

♦ Rest breaks at work : Workers have the right to one uninterrupted 20 minute rest break during their working day, if they work more than 6 hours a day.

The break doesn’t have to be paid (it depends on their employment contract).

♦ Daily rest : Workers have the right to 11 hours rest between working days.

♦ Weekly rest : Workers have the right to either

-an uninterrupted 24 hours without any work each week

-an uninterrupted 48 hours without any work each fortnight

⇒ There is no statutory right to cigarette breaks

They don’t need to work more than 48 hours in a week and they are entitled to 5.6 weeks paid leave per year. Their employer can choose to include public holidays in this total.

Special working conditions for young people

If you are 14 or 15, there are restrictions :

• You won’t be able to work in places like factories or in most pubs or betting shops
• In the summer holidays, you can work for up to 35 hours a week; or eight hours a day
• If you work for more than four hours in a day you must take a rest break of one hour
• You need to take two consecutive weeks of holiday a year, during the school holidays
• You can’t do a job which might be harmful to your health

Christmas

Large shops (over 280 square metres) in England, Wales and Scotland are not allowed to open on Christmas Day. This is regardless of which day of the week it falls on. This means that if you work in one of these shops, you must be given Christmas Day off. However, whether or not you will be paid will depend on your contract of employment.

⇒ We can see that most of the rights and working conditions are almost the same as in France. The largest difference is the hourly rate which depends on the age of people

⊗ Opening hours particularity in Scotland :

Big shops usually open at 9am and close around 5-6pm depending on the day. But small shops open around 8 am and close at 11pm. Workers in shops must be at work 30 minutes before the shop opens because they have to make sure all the stocks are fine, count the money and clean. They leave 30 minutes after the shops close because they have to clean and restock.

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1- The company, the history:

Bonar Yarns is one of the oldest independent (and most successful) producers of synthetic yarns, created in 1965 by its parents group Low & Bonar. On this way the company has been synonymous with synthetic turf since the late 1970s and founded on over a century of expertise and experience in the manufacture of fibers.

Currently the company are well respected in the marketplace, sitting on advisory Boards and providing advice and consultation to organisations in the sports sector but also on the landscape sector.

Bonar Yarns is a global market leader in supplying the most advanced yarns to the world’s synthetic turf producers and woven carpet manufacturers. The company has two manufacturing plants dedicated to yarns. The first is in Dundee and the others in Abu Dhabi (but can sell in all the world) through strategic distribution hubs, to provide a local and comprehensive service

2- Products and services

The product that Bonar Yarn sells is synthetic yarn for turf and woven carpets. The idea of their product is to replace traditional natural grass surfaces for sports grounds and gardens. The benefit of this type of product to the customer is that is it low maintenance, more durability particular useful for contact sports and it is usable in all types of weather.

3- Production

Bonar Yarn is very efficient and precise in their operations, just by looking at their innovation, production and website information. Just as the slogan reads ‘greatness is in the detail’, they ensure their product machinery is serviced and maintained to a very high standard. Furthermore Raw materials, semi- finished yarns and completed products are checked constantly against relevant parameters ensuring every detail is to a bench marked standard. These extensive tests and quality checks at all stages ensure the company maintains a high quality image. This is a strength in their strategy and could allow for higher prices or greater emphasis when marketing amongst competitors.

4- Brief market analysis

Bonar Yarns products can be sells to two different groups of consumer:

• Sport: the sport companies (like FIFA) for the grounds of their event, or the cities for the public grounds or the sport club. (with sub-segmentations corresponded to different sport: soccer, hockey, tennis …)
• Leisure & landscaping: the city for the public playground, hostel, private individual etc.

On the following diagram we can see the activities with major synthetic turf installation. The major installation is for contact sports (soccer, American Football and rugby) following by leisure.

Market analysis

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Stonehaven

There are 2 different districts: the Old town around the harbour and the New town on the hill with the beach. A walk connects the two districts.

Historically the principal activity of Stonehaven is fishing. Now, The harbour has become a yacht harbour.

Dunnottar Castle, perched on a rock, was home to the Keith family, and during the Scottish Wars of independence, the Scottish Crown Jewels were hidden there.

The castle dates back to the 9th century, but a part of the castle was restored in 1926.

Nowadays the primary industries are marine services and tourism, with Dunnottar Castle, a local landmark, bringing in a large number of tourists every year. Dunnottar Castle is regularly used in advertising by the Scottish tourism industry. It was used in the 1990 movie Hamlet, and appeared as a featured desktop background in the UK edition of Microsoft Windows 7.

Arbroath Cliffs

Arbroath is situated right on the North-East coast of Scotland, by the North Sea. You have to visit this place to breathe in some fresh air and the walk is beautiful along the cliff trail from Arbroath. Arbroath cliffs are unusual rock formations made from red sandstone, and they are quite unique and special. It’s a great walk!

When I walked on the cliffs I saw a lot of flowers on benches in homage to dead people (because there are often suicides).

The Arbroath Cliffs rock formations each have their own name such as Needle’s E’e, Seaman’s Grave, Mermaid’s Kirk and Deil’s Heid. The Arbroath Cliffs are known as the Seaton Cliffs, and as you walk along the cliff path you will go through the Seaton Wildlife Reserve.

The Arbroath Cliff Walk starts at the east end of Victoria Park.

After the cliffs I went to Arbroath centre and walked in the city where I had the opportunity to see The Arbroath Abbey.

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St Andrews

This city is situated on the East coast of the North Sea.

The place is centred on the tourism, and exploits its beaches, its cliffs, but also all its historic monuments.

It is at fifteen minutes of Dundee by bus. This city is famous thanks to these golfs because they are old and very beautiful.

The university of St. Andrews is renowned and it is the oldest university in Scotland.

The most beautiful place is St. Andrews Castle and the Cathedral (£8 to see both monuments).

St Andrews Castle

St Andrews Castle

The remains of St Andrews Cathedral, which was Scotland’s largest cathedral and most magnificent church, show how impressive it used to be. The ruins indicate that the building was approximately 119m long, and is the largest church to have been built in Scotland.

St Andrews Cathedral

The view from above the cathedral

♥ BONUS : Kate and William met at St Andrew's university, that they both
joined into 2001 and where they were studying the art history.

Broughty Ferry

Broughty Ferry is a pleasant suburb four miles east of Dundee with a good selection of pubs and restaurants. Its harbour is pretty and calm. This city is relaxing.
The Broughty Castle and Museum, right by the seashore are beautiful. Built in the 15th century to protect the city, its four floors show the history of Broughty Ferry (it’s mainly to show that Brought Ferry was a fishing village)

In 1495 Broughty Castle was built and remained in use as a major defensive structure until 1932. The castle stands alongside two beaches, one of sand, the other of pebbles.

Glamis Castle

Glamis Castle

The entrance with a tour guide is £10 (for the Castle and gardens).

Once inside, every room has its own story and your own enthusiastic tour guides bring the evolution of the castle and its legendary tales and secrets to life.

Italian Garden

There are four wonderful gardens :

-The Italian Garden Walk

-The Nature Trail Walk

-The Pinetum Walk

-The River Dean Walk

Glamis today looks more like a French Castle than a medieval fortress, because it was extensively restored in the 17th and 18th centuries.

♠ Ghosts in the Castle : The family chapel is haunted by a Grey Lady, 
who is said to be the spirit of Lady Janet Douglas, burned at the 
stake as a witch on Castle Hill, Edinburgh in 1537, on charges of 
plotting to poison the King.

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Dundee is a city where there are many students. That’s why, it has to be attractive for them.

To be appealing, all shops in the city propose good opportunities for students.

-The first is “Pancake place” : All Monday’s afternoon students can have a reduction of 25%.

-The bar “Counting house” : they propose some reductions in a booklet. You can have a reduction on beer, British breakfast, nachos… You just have to cut out the page and give it to the barman. This bar is really good for students because it is cheap.

Booklet with reductions

-The “Bar One” : It is in the student centre. We can have cocktails for just £3. I think it’s a very good opportunity for students.

-The restaurant “Project pie” : Pizzas are very good and traditional (They are better than Domino’s pizzas). With our student card we have 15% off.

-“The Union nightclub” : On Tuesday night the entrance is only £2 and all drinks cost £1 whereas the other nights the entrance is £5

-“The liquid nightclub” : On Wednesday the entrance cost £3.5 if you have the flyer. The flyer is available in the library in the welcome lounge.

Bracelet

Overgate Student Night Flyer

We participated at the “Overgate student night” in the commercial centre “Overgate”. It begin at 6pm to 9pm. We have reduction in almost of the shops inside (such as H&M, TOPSHOP..). Moreover inside we have free foods and free drinks.

The entrance is free but we have had to book by filling out a form and take a bracelet.

Be careful. We have had to be there thirty minutes before because there are a lot of people.

Finally, to do sport, we go to the gym with Abertay Sport (£30 per semester) because it is cheaper than the gym in the centre (£20 per months)

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Before your departure you are going to get so excited about the idea of a new experience, but you have to prepare your departure properly and don’t forget important things. That’s why this article is for you, I am writing some advice to help you to get prepared to leave.

 I think you have to begin your organisation 4 months before leaving by booking your flight. There are many companies (Air France-KLM, Easy jet, Ryanair..) but be careful, many flights leave from Paris to Edinburgh, and not from Nantes to Edinburgh. To me, the easier is to choose Air France but it is a little more expensive.

Paris International Airport CDG

Then, you have to choose your accommodation. The university offers many rooms (they are a little expensive)

You can also look for an apartment on Internet but it is more difficult than if you accept the University offer. Moreover, with the university accommodation you share the kitchen. I think it is essential to improve your English, meet people and talk !

Two months before your departure, you have to call your “social security” SMEBA or LMDE to have your European Health Insurance Card. It is very important if you have any problem in Scotland.

You can also take an additional insurance (always with SMEBA and LMDE). The price is 25€ (for SMEBA). This insurance is optional it depends of your health. You have to know the doctor’s appointments are more expensive than in France and you will be reimburse only the French price of the consultation.

One month before you can book your train or bus for the ride from Edinburgh Airport to Dundee.

To me, the better way is the train because you can buy an “Anytime single Day” ticket. You can take any train in the day, you have not to respect timetable. (link : www.trainline.com)

It is possible to go by bus but you have to book online and respect the timetable, so be careful if your flight is delayed. (link : www.citylink.co.uk)

Finally, I advise you to buy duvet, pillow and order the free starter pack (including crockery, pan..) on the Abertay Online Shop before your departure. It is easier than buying them in shops because when you arrive in your room they have already been delivered !

“GOOD ADVICE”

Before your departure you have to :

-check the expiry of you Identity Card and your debit card.

-check the Banking commission because each bank has his exchange rate. Generally, it is cheaper to buy all things by card than by cash.

-buy adaptors (two adaptors is good) for sockets before your departure

-check your mobile phone contract (to know If you can send message in Scotland)

But, don’t worry there is free WiFi almost everywhere ! You can communicate easily with the other foreign students !

I think, now you know the most important. Enjoy your trip, your semester or your year abroad ! 🙂

STEUX Audrey