University of Glasgow

You will have enough time to travel and to have fun, but you have to study, that was the main reason why you are here.

I was one of the few students who were put into a flat. At first, I thought it was nice cause the room was the size of a swimming pool but the beauty wore off after I realized that I would have to put a big effort into meeting people. The accommodation office put me in the flat because someone moved out of it the previous semester and when I met the other people who lived in the flat, I quickly found out why this person was so desperate to leave. I don't blame the accommodation office for this because they could not have known of the situation and it's not their job to care. I'm just bitter from the housing experience and I hope noone else has to go through the same thing. The problem was that the only way I could move out of the accommodation was to either a.) find someone else to take my place or b.) keep paying for the rent as I pay rent for another place. Since both choices were not options for me, I stuck it out. When I first signed up for this housing, the letter said that they could not guarantee me another place if I did not take this offer but I soon found out that there was plenty of room in Maclay (rumour has it that it's closing). I've met a few other students who lived in a flat arranged by the university and they had a great time because they all became friends with the entire building and had at least 6-8 people in their flat. I had 3 flatmates at first but another one couldn't take it either so decided to keep paying for the rent and move out to another place. What I was left with was hell on earth. Fun for me. To add to that, the flats have no access to computers (outside of the library and the reading room) or television. The only plus? It was near the university and the city centre. I realize that my experience is a rarity, but it seems like others also think the accommodation office is not as responsible or efficient as it could be. Another reason why I was "forced" to stay at the flat was because the office did not notify me about whether or not I had accommodation until 2-3 weeks before I left for Glasgow. My suggestion would be to sign up as early as possible. If you can, even try to sign up before you find out whether or not you have been accepted into the school (because that department is slow to respond as well). Or maybe it was not the University of Glasgow but my home university who had a hand in this. Who knows. Where was this dreadful place I stayed in? Park Circus. Great place, but not a place to meet a lot of people and when I was there, a lot of robberies and break-ins occurred....

my final advice is: don't be afraid at all...an experience abroad will change your life for sure....it will be like that especially if you aren't familiar with the atmosphere in the country you will choose....so.....DO IT!!!!DEFINETELY!! ;-)

Make a trip to the islands on the west coast of Scotland!

If you are willing to learn and you are motivated to get involved in different activities eg coaching children in local schools, this year will be special.