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 !

STEUX Audrey

It is the end of the semester in Abertay University and the end of our semester abroad as well, that’s why with Emilie and Audrey we decided to each write a post about our experience abroad in Dundee, this week answering the same questions so you can get an overview of what it is like to spend a semester in Scotland.

Did you enjoy your semester in Dundee ?

Yes, I enjoyed it a lot. I have a great group of friends here with who I travel around Scotland during the weekends it was great.

What did you enjoy the most ?

I would say what I enjoyed the most was to spend a weekend on the isle of Skye with a lot of other international students. It was great to see the beautiful landscapes the isle has to offer and to spend a weekend with friends.

How did you like the courses ?

The courses were good, all the lecturers are really involved into their job and you feel like they really want you to succeed. My modules were interesting but also challenging because the level is some time a little bit high. The thing which is very good about eduction in Scotland is how organize the teachers are here, for example during the first class they give you a time table of what you are going to do during the semester and this timetable is really followed.

Would you recommend spending a semester in Dundee ?

Absolutely ! I am really happy I have been lucky enough to spend a semester in Dundee. Here I had 9 hours of classes per week, so even if I had to work quite a lot by my self I could enjoy quite a lot of free time. Dundee is a great starting point if you want to discover Scotland beautiful landscapes. You are also near the main Scottish cities so if you want to do a bit of tourism Dundee is great for you. The student life is also great here, you have access to a lot of facilities like the gym for example. Also and it’s a considerable asset you will improve your english quite a lot staying in the UK.

What did this experience bring to you?

I met great people during my time here, I discover a new country and a new culture. I will keep such amazing memories of my time here.

My level of english improved and I experience a complete different way of studying. The only thing I wish could be different is that I would stay here for the full year rather that only one semester.

alouedec

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.

STEUX Audrey

If you are thinking about spending a semester in Dundee next year you might be interesting in some student’s feedbacks on their experience.

That’s why I ask three of my friends to share with me their thoughts on their semester at Abertay University.

Anke from Germany :

” I really enjoyed my semester in Dundee as Scotland is one of the most beautiful countries I’ve ever seen. I can’t really tell what I enjoyed the most. I guess it was the mixture between the trips through whole Scotland with the friends I made here and my modules which have been the perfect choice for me. In one of them I created a children’s book which was very challenging but at the same time I enjoyed being so creative. I would totally recommend spending a semester in Dundee as I would love to stay for another one. The beautiful landscape, the very friendly people, the challenging and supportive lecturers and the whole lot of creative modules have given me a lifetime experience and I’m very thankful for that!”

Jeremie from Switzerland :

” Did you enjoy your semester in Dundee ?

Hell no!  Ok ok I’m joking… Did I enjoy Dundee? On paper the brightest and sunniest city, it does not derogate to Scottish principles – 90% rain and 10% mist. Nevertheless, you will be flabbergasted by its beautiful bridge and the view from the Law hill. Should I mention a single word, it would definitely be: pubs. And pubs. And more pubs. Do you want to enjoy a quite evening with friends? Go to the pub! Do you want to party? Go to the pub! Of course, having fun is one part of the deal but let’s not forget the studies. Abertay University holds two main societies: – The hacking Society – Game development Society If you’re lucky enough to be part of one of them, expect to have at least once some free pizza! On a side note, the courses are great, you do learn a lot of practical stuff. I would recommend overall to study abroad. Traveling will never be in vain and will help you create the person you want to be. If you found a specific course that interests you, don’t hesitate and come here! Otherwise, why not chose somewhere warmer…? “

Elena from Germany :

” I definitely enjoyed my semester here in Dundee. It was a great time and an awesome experience.

I´ve met really nice and friendly people here. We had lots of fun while cooking, going out or watching movies together. Also the trips to Stonehaven, Glasgow, Edinburgh, the Isle of Skye, Glenmore or Loch Ness were so exciting and we had so much fun together. The landscape in Scotland is just beautiful and worth it to discover by renting a car.

I chose the courses Digital Business Strategy and Operations and Supply Chain Management. The course Operations and Supply Chain Management was very interesting and I learned a lot. The lectureres were good and well organized. But I have to say that I didn´t really like the course Digital Business Strategy, because in the middle of the semester the lecturer changed and since that it was really unorganized and not very interesting.

Regarding the university I would recommend to spend a semester in Dundee. In my opinion it is a good choice. Dundee as a city is nice and cute with (for Scotland) lots of sun, but I would say there are nicer cities in Scotland which probably offer more activities for students. However, for one semester there is enough stuff to do and to explore “

alouedec

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.

STEUX Audrey

If you ask me for a museum recommendation in Scotland, I would suggest you to go to the National Scottish museum in Edinburgh.

This museum is one of the most interactive I have ever visited.

The museum offers a lot of different exhibitions, so no matter what you are interested in from transport to fashion or animals, there is something for everyone.

If you are in Edinburgh and you don’t want to go and visit a museum it still worth to go in and climb to the 7th floor to enjoy a breathtaking scenery of the city and especially the castle.

The museum is free for everybody.

alouedec

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

STEUX Audrey