Study Abroad Adventures: Settling In, Differences, and Finding Slowness

Hello hello! Like I promised last week, I have another update for you today! True to form, abroad is a LOT of different experiences, feelings, events, etc. so it does feel like I have quite a bit to put into words. And as cliche as this may sound, though I’ve only been officially in my abroad program for less than 5 days, it honestly feels like a month. Often I will have a day that feels like three just because of all the various moods, experiences, and people that the day will involve.

I could start the day feeling a bit off, transition to feeling super excited, then unbelievably happy, then lonely and tired, then grateful. All in a single day.

I think if I had to describe this past week in just a few words, I would say it’s been challenging at times, yet wildly exciting, fun, joyful, and yes, magical.

In this past week, I’ve…

Hiked up to the peak of Arthur’s Seat, a dormant volcano here in Edinburgh

The views were breathtaking, and the winds on top were the strongest winds I have EVER experienced. We all had to crouch down to not get blown off ha! Climbing up the steep path I felt like a member of the Fellowship (any LoTR fans??), and getting those pictures on top and exchanging tired but exhilarated smiles with my new friends was truly unlike anything else.

Explored a bunch of coffeeshops and bookshops, both solo and with new friends

A few favorites are Cafe Class, where I had the best vegetarian full Scottish breakfast, Lovecrumbs (BEST cake and coffee and the most lovely vibes), Detour Espresso (an adorable little spot right near my flat that makes OTHERWORLDLY toasted banana bread. I’ll be going there on a weekly basis for sure hehe). Armchair Books and Edinburgh Bookshop are both absolute HAVENS for the book lover. I couldn’t resist purchasing a second-hand edition of a book called Death of King Arthur. I’ve been meaning to read some King Arthur stories for a long time, and now that I’m in Edinburgh, it feels even more vital that I do. 😉 Gotta love bookshops with stepping stools and owners that go out of their way to recommend the perfect book. <3

Did a pub crawl with a bunch of super fun people

I’ve met so many lovely people already, and I can’t wait to see where those friendships go, as well as to keep making new ones. This feels so different from freshman year at Georgetown. Freshman year felt so stressful, so forced. Friendships were things to effort and strive toward, and you never knew whether the people you were hanging out with were genuine or putting on an act.

It took me a year of going there to navigate the social culture, and I honestly thought at times that there was something wrong with me. Being here feels nothing like that. Maybe it’s the fact that we’re all older and wiser now (for some reason, there is a HUGE difference between 18 and 20), maybe because we’re all here for a semester and there’s no POINT to be anything but your real self, maybe there’s just way less pressure to make lifelong friends, and the point is just to find likeminded people you can have fun with and enjoy various experiences with. Regardless, I’m so grateful for the people I’ve already met.

The pub crawl was one of the most fun nights I’ve had in a WHILE. It was a group of about 10 of us, and we hit up about 4 pubs, each with a totally different vibe. I loved that unlike the way something similar to this would go in Georgetown, there was no huge emphasis on “getting wasted” and not remembering the night the next day. Here, some of us would get a drink at some place, and some would just get water or coffee. Nobody would bat an eye if you didn’t want to drink, let alone encourage you to “take shots” if you said you weren’t drinking. Basically, the European pub culture is just way closer to my heart than the traditional American college party scene, just in the sense that it feels much more responsible and relaxed, and yet no less fun. I swear, I racked up 25000 steps that day just from all the dancing!

Speaking of…

Done a LOT of walking

I’ve been in Edinburgh for 2 weeks now and have done 2 formal workouts (both short HIIT sessions in my room). The fact of the matter is, I was walking so much most days that no part of my body or mind was craving an extra workout. Now that classes are starting up, I’m anticipating less walking and a bit more craving for exercise, but I sincerely doubt I’ll be working out as much as I usually do at Georgetown (where my step count is frequently below 5000 LOL). I actually really love how walkable Edinburgh is, and so far I haven’t needed to use public transportation at all. It really is such a fun easy way to be active, and it helps me see so much more of the city. My favorite thing to do is to bop into the various shops I find on my walk that I never would have found out about by doing one of those “must-do’s in Edinburgh” Google searches.

Found moments of slowness and stillness

Perhaps one of the most lovely aspects of being here that I so appreciate and was so looking forward to coming from the pressure-cooker of American culture and Georgetown culture is some more stillness and slowness. Just some space in my day to breathe and savor.

I know school hasn’t really picked up yet, and of course I’ll get busier, but I can already see that there is absolutely no pressure to constantly be doing something. While at Georgetown, I would often feel like a chicken with my head cut off, running from task to task and feeling guilty whenever I would find myself with a few minutes of free time, Edinburgh (and Europe in general I think) is all about independent work and doing things on your own time.

So today for instance, I started the day with a super slow morning. Woke up at 8, did a 30 minute workout in my room, took a long shower, got ready, made myself breakfast, walked through the park for 20 minutes to get to uni, had class, walked into a few bookshops to explore, got lunch, and then parked myself at Lovecrumbs with a friend to work on this post and chat. In the evening, we have plans to go to a jazz event happening on campus, and before that, I’m planning on making a delish dinner of roasted potatoes, roasted dijon brussels sprouts, and some grilled chicken.

Already, I just feel so much less bogged down. I feel like I actually have space to think and to be, something I was seriously craving for a while now. I’m finding that I keep getting different ideas in my head and different thoughts, and I just feel sharper. It’s a nice feeling, and I’m really appreciating this opportunity to really s-l-o-w d-o-w-n. Because as much as I could give myself that permission back home, it’s HARD when your entire environment is all about being go-go-go and achieving.

 

So in short, I’m over here embracing cozy coffee shop afternoons, slow mornings, low-key music and pub nights, lots of sleep, lots of oat milk lattes, and tons of new interesting people. Thanks for following along, and I’ll talk to you guys soon! P.S. If you don’t follow me on Instagram, go ahead and do that because I have a Highlights tab with all my favorite Edinburgh finds!

 

Linking up with Meg for Week in Review