UQ Program: Bachelor of Biomedical Science
Deciding to participate in a student exchange at the University of Glasgow was the best decision I have ever made. The only bad part of the whole experience was having to leave.
Don’t be fooled by Glasgow’s somewhat off-putting reputation – you will have the time of your life here. With bucket-loads of character, there is always something new and exciting to discover about this wonderful city. Academically, Glasgow was a good choice for a 2nd year Biomedical Science student – plus, it’s the closest I’ll ever come to going to Hogwarts. The university’s main building, built before Australia was even officially a country, stands at the centre of Glasgow’s West End, the hub of Glasgow student life.
The best advice I can give to anyone is to get involved in anything and everything. I joined the university’s swimming club, despite never swimming more than 100m in my life, and made some great friends. Living in student accommodation is also a great way to meet people – international, Scottish and even Aussie, everyone is always up for a good night out, or even a quiet one in. You’ll quickly familiarize yourself with all the drinking establishments in the West End and even explore Sauchiehall Street with your dancing shoes on.
You can’t leave Glasgow without trying haggis, exploring the highlands, having a pint too many at your beloved local, going to a Rangers or Celtics match, taking a weekend trip to Edinburgh or even London or simply lazing in the Botanical Gardens when its 20 degrees C and thinking it’s the hottest you’ve ever felt. There are so many adventures to be had - we even managed to get across to Ireland for St Patrick’s Day!
In the end, it’s the friendships I’ve made in Glasgow that will stay with me forever – from Canadians, Germans, Scots and Englishmen to the people I met from my own city, my Glasgow experience was beyond description.