Study Abroad - Living in Glasgow
There is no city more Scottish in Scotland than Glasgow. Greater Glasgow is home to nearly forty percent of Scotland's five million person population. Between my flatmates, international friends, the university, and travelling I fully loved my time abroad.
The Flat
Living on the bottom floor of the university flat, Kelvinhaugh Gate, I met a great group of guys. Split into two suites of five each, I lived on the floor with four Scots, an Englishman, two Canadians, a Greek, a Malaysian, and myself. Of the group I spent the majority of my time with Braden (Canada), Andy (Scotland), and Jas (Malaysia), although I saw most everybody frequently.
These were the guys I'd spend most of my generic social time with. We'd go to the Student Union, clubbing in city centre, to the tea rooms, to house parties, and a variety of other typical student venues each weekend - and often weekdays, too. However, it might just be that the time I look back on most fondly with them was when we'd sit around our blandly designed rectangular dinner table and converse on a plethora of topics. When we all sensed our time together was limited (around early March) we began gathering nearly every evening.
The International Community
One of the best parts of my year abroad was the healthy mix of Brits and other Internationals. Not only was my flat splits fifty-fifty, but I also attended classes and joined clubs that attracted a good mix of both.
I took only four classes while abroad, all in economics. This allowed me to really get to know the students who were in my classes. As studying abroad is popular option for economics students I met lots of Europeans in my classes. In particular I met a lot of French people. Two girls I spent a lot of time with were Laure and Beau, from Paris and Lyon, respectively. And it is nice meetings internationals in classes because they are in the same position of trying to make friends as you are.
(1) Laure and I (2) The University of Glasgow Frisbee team, Far Flung, qualify for nationals.
I also played frisbee abroad which was run mostly by Scots, but also by some English folks and people from Northern Ireland. Not only did I become good friends with some of the guys and girls on the team, but it also allowed me to travel within Britain. The university had a great system in place that subsidized travel for club sport teams. I travelled with them to Stirling, Edinborough, St. Andrews, and Cardiff.
There were only eight EAP students all together in Glasgow, and I was the only guy. Still, I spent time with some of the girls who were friendly and supportive.
Travel
Travelling across Europe served as the undeserved, but greatly appreciated bonus to my year abroad. I consider myself fortunate that I was able to see as much of Europe as I did. My travelling consisted of intra-Britain travel, a three week trip to Spain and France, and then a four week trip with my brother through Central and some of Eastern Europe.
The manner in which each academic term was structured allowed for ample free time in the first half and then an utter lack of available time for anything during the second half. During terms I travlled within Britain. Within Scotland I visited most of the major cities and also took in some of the nature around Glasgow. Unfortunately I didn't make it up to the true highlands, although I managed that the first time I travelled to Scotland with my father. I also went to England many times to visit my English friend who I met at Two Rivers soccer camp in 2003. With them I saw Blackburn, Preston, Manchester, and Leeds. Travelling around Britain was marvelous and I sincerely hope I am able to return on day.
My three week trip to Spain and France took me from Southern Spain to Northern France. In all the trip went by far too fast and allowed me to see some of the 'old world.' For the complete itenerary with my friends I stayed with see my Spain and France slide show. The trip highlights for me were the beautiful Andulucian town of Granada; the mountain monastery, Montserrat, located in the mountains near Barcelona; visiting some long lost d'Arrousets relatives in Southern France; and seeing the world-famous Paris.
Below are pictures that correspond to the five divisions of my trip: (i) Granada, (ii) Madrid, (iii) Barcelona, (iv) Southern France, and (v) Paris.
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My last trip concluded my study abroad experience. Finishing exams on May 4th, I greeted my brother, Anthony, who flew out from Colorado to join me. We spent some time in Glasgow before heading to London and eventually to Eastern and Central Europe. The best part of the trip was that between my brother and me, we knew someone in all but one place we visited. Thank you to everyone who let us stay with them. Spending evenings in the homes of folks you know all but erases the normal travel fatigue I feel when touring for extended periods of time. Below is the picture bar links to the slide show my brother made.
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Brief History of Glasgow
Tracing the historic rises and falls of Glasgow is a superb gauge for Scotland as a whole. The city has been through many transitions. It first came into its own during the industrial revolution, attracting thousands of rural Scots to a large city for the first time. Later on during its hayday, Glasgow boasted the largest and most important shipyard in the British empire along the river Clyde.
Recently, Glasgow has attempted to revive itself with a focus on its culture and modernity. The European Union helped this goal by naming Glasgow the 1992 city of culture. Since around that time and continuing today, Glasgow has restored many of its most famous and proud landmarks such as the Kelvingrove Museum (below, left) and several of the river Clyde attractions.
It is perhaps easiest to see the flare and modernity of Glasgow by walking through the spectacular city centre. Centered around three long strips of pedestrian walkways (above, right), the city boasts the second finest shopping inthe United Kingdom, second only to London.