After weeks of excited waiting for my unconditional offer by the University of Edinburgh, I finally received the happy news! I felt so relieved, because until then all my preparations were still a little unsure - not having had a confirmation for my study program, yet.
So now I’m sitting in my room which looks a little bit as if a bomb had hit it. Bags and clothes everywhere, documents on the table, excitement and a little bit of nervousness in the air. The situation itself is not new to me, I have studied abroad in the US for one year, but still it is a time full of deep thoughts about the future. Will everything work out? Will I find new friends? Will I like my chosen program of study? Will I be successful? There are a lot of question marks. But it also feels great! I cannot wait to explore a new city, find hidden places, cozy cafes, viewpoints to overlook Edinburgh, friends to go mountain biking with, and start my new study program. It’s hard to grasp the idea that I will be living in another country for the next year, while still being at home, surrounded by the people I know and love.
Actually, there is not much time to worry because there is so much to do: I had to find a room in Edinburgh, I need to get all the official documents ready, I booked my flight and said goodbye to my friends and family. I was lucky enough to spend the last two weeks with my boyfriend in Norway, road tripping through the mountains, always on the search for technically challenging trails to ride our mountain bikes. We had a wonderful time in the mountains, away from any kind of civilization. We camped close to lakes or rivers, cooked over a camp fire and caught fish in the fjords. The time in nature made me forget about the many uncertainties which are related to moving to another country.
So what else do I have to organize before I fly to Scotland in three days? It seems like a lot and I almost don’t know where to start… Apply for my student ID card, print all required documents, pick up my bachelor degree certificate at the University of Freiburg, pack my bags, leave the rest of my belongings somewhere else, understand the many online platforms the university works with, choose classes, do the first readings, and so on and so on. Once I arrive to Edinburgh, I will make my room cozy and comfortable, register with the police, get used to the city, meet the first new people and hopefully find some great mountain bike trails close to the city. It’s a lot and it’s challenging, but it is also fun because every time I can tick something off my list, I’m one step closer to moving to Edinburgh and starting a new and exciting year.
September 2017
