Uni

The title of this post is “Uni,” which is short for University and what most collegiate institutions are referred to out here. I thought it would be good to have a post that gives readers a better understanding of the University or Uni I am going to through both pictures and description. There was a lot I learned upon arrival about my school that I wasn’t aware of coming in, so here we go.

This is the coat of arms for the University of Glasgow, along with their motto in latin. "Via, Veritas, Vita." Meaning "The Way, The Truth, The Life." The tree, the bird, the bell, and the fish are associated with the miracles of Glasgow and St. Mungo upon its founding, while the mace represents the Universities corporate dignity and the book is understood to represent the book of learning.

The University of Glasgow (or U of G as I will commonly refer to it) was founded in 1451, and is the fourth oldest University in the English speaking world, the second oldest in Scotland only behind St. Andrews. Last year Edward Snowden was voted in to be the Rector for the U of G, this position is voted for by the student body and from what I have heard U of G has had a long history of voting for controversial individuals to be their rector (hmmm you don’t say?). There are roughly 23,000 students enrolled, that being both undergraduate and postgraduate combined. U of G ranks among the top 1% of Universities around the world and within the top 10 in the UK according to QS World University Rankings. There are also a number of famous U of G alumni, some of the bigger ones being…

Adam Smith: Considered the father of Modern Economics.

William Thomson/ Lord Kelvin: Famous scientist most recognized for his invention of the Kelvin scale.

John Logie Baird: Helped to pioneer and establish television.

James Watt: Revolutionized steam powered mechanics.

John Boyd Orr: Famous nutritionist and physiologist, led pioneering studies in human and farm animal nutrition during his time. Was also awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work with the United Nations in 1949.

The U of G truly has a beautiful campus filled with history and impressive architecture as well.

 The magnificent entrance to Uni.

    

Repairs are currently being done on the main tower.

The Tesco Experience

After the interesting start to my stay here in Glasgow things quickly improved, once I was better aware of my surroundings and I began to know my way around the city. Not too far down MaryHill road, and actually right across from that McDonalds that saved us from starvation previously, is a large general goods/grocery store called Tesco. It is just like a Target or Walmart back home, you can find anything and everything you could possibly need there. Initially me and Rachel seemed to be making trips there daily, rounding up bedding, towels, personal hygiene items, groceries, etc. The reason for the frequency was not just that we kept thinking of new things to add, but it was also in part due to the fact that the Tesco round trip is about a mile walk from the student dorms. What you bring back is what you are willing to carry in your backpack and bags, thus you find yourself making multiple trips throughout the week.

Making a routine of going to Tesco every couple of days, I eventually came across the "World Food" aisle as they call it, and found the "American" section...

Ah yes! Gatorade, Jiff Peanut Butter, Pop-tarts, Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce, Mac n' Cheese, and there is no US of A without Twinkies. Never have I felt so close to home when I was so far away. Finding this was quite funny as I'm sure you are laughing now seeing and reading this. Its interesting to see what other places think of us, and what to some extent defines our diet as a country (or so they think). I have also noticed how many of the same brands exist here as back home but they are slightly different in how they are either marketed or labeled. Here are a few.

Frosted Flakes, now Frosties

AXE, now LYNX

Lays Chips, now Walkers

There is also a drink called Irn Bru, a soda that is exclusive to Scotland. I was told that it actually outsells Coca Cola in Scotland as it is their drink of choice. I tried some and really wasn't a fan, it had a bad cream soda taste to it. I prefer Coke.

The Dog Day

A large "Allander" coach bus, hauls us away from the airport and onto our destination; where in our case were the Murano St. student dorms. The drive wasn't too long from the airport, and during it me and Rachel tried to see if we could recognize many of the car manufacturers from the vehicles around us. Perhaps it was just a coincidence, or maybe it was just common, but we noticed a great deal of Audi's and Beamers, and surprisingly Fords! I thought Chrysler was America's import but regardless GO AMERICAN IMPORTS! We had arrived at our accommodation around 10am, where we came to find out that we couldn't actually move in our rooms until 4pm that afternoon since the rooms weren't entirely prepared. Me, Rachel, and 4 others we had made friends with off the plane decided to bring our luggage into the main student center building to wait. We were all starving, and with nowhere to store our items and luggage decided to split into two teams of three where one could stay and watch everyone's stuff while the others could go off and find lunch somewhere. Collin (a student we had met from Gonzaga), Rachel, and I nominated ourselves to stay first. For 2 1/2 hours we waited, rested, and attempted to connect to the local Wi-Fi but to no avail.

When the second half of our party returned the three of us excited and eager were ready to find the cafe the others had came from. All they said was that they wondered around and passed a gas station down the way, where not too far beyond there were some shops and restaurants. Our trio headed off in the direction they described (or so we thought) brimming with anticipation and optimism for the meal our stomachs growled and groaned for. Walking, and walking we started to pass a number of smaller businesses that were closed (still don't understand why this was given it was the middle of the day on a Friday), and here the streets and sidewalks had a noticeable amount of garbage and trash strewn across them. This was our first taste of Glasgow and it wasn't the glamorous image we had envisioned. Half an hour had passed and we seemed to be getting into more of a residential area with literally no food in sight, although oddly enough we had to have passed at least eight barbershops. Realizing somewhere we made a wrong turn since we never hit any gas station after over 45 minutes of walking, we decided to cut our losses and go back to the Murano St. student center and ask for directions to food at the reception desk.

Retracing our steps we get back to where we started and asked a kind woman at the front desk for help. I tell her where we went and she chuckles, "Oh no, there is nothing over there, just a bunch of houses. You want to go across the bridge behind the student village and walk down Maryhill road where in 10 minutes time you will plenty of cafes and even a McDonalds." Slightly embarrassed but now again excited with hope we headed off in the right direction. You might be thinking well why didn't they just use Google maps on their smartphones? The issue there is that we hadn't had a chance to install a SIM card into our phones for service out here yet and we deactivated our home service from America to avoid those outrageous fees they try to get you with. Anyways, we went over the bridge and onto Maryhill road, where we passed a gas station and started to see some restaurants and cafes. A little further and there it was... My god those golden arches have never looked for beautiful! You could imagine at this point we were absolutely starving and we didn't want to risk trying one of these new places and have it not be good, we just needed something that was a sure thing, and well McDonalds was just that.

We walk in and noticed immediately it's both oddly similar and different. There weren’t a dozen different combo meal options on the menu, the soft drink dispenser wasn't out in the lobby, there was no value or dollar menu, and a Big Mac meal cost to the equivalent of $11.50 in pounds. I ended up ordering a quarter pounder combo which was about $8.00; Rachel and Collin both got a chicken sandwich. We all agreed that our meals tasted the same as it would of back home, just cost a fair amount more. Also, we found that you need to be careful not to gulp your Coca Cola too quick, as there aren’t free refills like we have in the states. Between the flight in, and our miss navigation, I felt like it had been a day since I had ate a semi substantial meal which made fast food that I wouldn't usually eat even back home all the more satisfying.

It’s funny how in the end something that in my opinion is so strikingly American (McDonalds) ended up saving us in our time of hunger and desperation. We head back where at this point it’s about time to finally move into our accommodations. As it turns out (upon our request through the original application), they put both Rachel and I in the same dorm, which is Sidlaw House. Also, to better explain the setup of where we are living it's relatively simple and standard. Basically a bunch of four story apartment buildings (roughly 20 or so) are together like a village. A flat is one level on the building comprised of 6-12 people same sex or coed with a couple of bathrooms and showers but only one central shared kitchen space. I live with 11 others coed and Rachel 11 others all girls two floors above me. Anyways, our rooms ended up being what you might expect for your typical college dorm, relatively small with a desk and some shelf space, along with a bed, lamp, and one wardrobe closet. One component that stood out to me was that we each have our own sink in each of our rooms making personal hygiene and grooming much easier. As soon as I reach my room and get situated I only unpack one thing, my plane pillow. Major jet lag setting in at this point, and feeling utterly exhausted I crash on my bare bed for an afternoon nap. What a day.

Pictures of my dorm

And so it begins...

It didn't really hit me until we were about to pull up to the departure drop off at DIA. This is really happening. I am about to leave the country for the first time ever and go live in a foreign place for nearly the next four months. I make note of the beautiful day it is in Colorado, sun shining and the great big blue sky roaming with clouds. I know that when I get back in December everything will be covered with snow and frost. Finally we arrive. Quickly we stop and both me and dad unload my luggage. Rachel's mom and my dad wanted to go all the way to security with us but realized that it would take too long to park and come all the way back so instead they decided to say goodbye to us right there on the curb. I was both anxious and sad at this point as me and dad took a quick picture together and I gave him one final hug. Considering that I have never been in a situation like this, leaving my family behind for so long and all, I would have to say I think I handled it pretty well. There is always Skype!

Having said our last goodbyes me and Rachel checked in our luggage (all of our luggage came out to be slightly lighter than we originally thought which is always nice), and went through security which worked out quite smoothly. Luggage checked, body patted down, boarding pass in hand I walk in line to enter our flight to Philadelphia. Silently, I say one last goodbye to Colorado, here we go.

3 1/2 hours later we arrive in Philadelphia with only a short hour and a half layover. In this time me and Rachel ate some airport pizza (which was ok), bought an airplane pillow for the longer flight to Scotland, and got a few snacks. I thought about buying a Freedom Bell souvenir because when will I be Philadelphia again anytime soon? Ya know? I tossed that idea when I saw even a tiny bell was $12. Again we get in line as it is already time to depart. As we were waiting to be checked on I thought about how I felt that the last flight at 3 1/2 hours was long, and here we are about to embark on a 7 1/2 hour flight. I hadn't been on a plane since I was only a toddler for a wedding; I guess these long flights were making up for all the lost time. Once situated onboard the sun sets as the plane rolls off onto the runway, farewell America, see you soon Scotland.

Having not been able to sleep much during the long flight I am awake as we are nearing the end of our voyage. I was in a middle seat, so I leaned over the sleeping lady next to me to get a glimpse of the sun rising on the horizon (keep in mind we are now 7 hours ahead of MST, so it is morning in Scotland). The view was spectacular, and as we began to lower altitude I could see more and more of the landscape beneath us. Mountains, a vast open countryside, and green- lots and lots of green everywhere. Before too long we are above the city of Glasgow, preparing to land. The city sprawl is both captivating and intriguing as I think there are so many adventures awaiting for me. A few short moments later we touch down on the air strip, we have arrived.

Customs went incredibly smoothly for me considering that all my supporting documents for school were in my carry on which was past the customs station with the rest of my luggage. Long story short back in Denver there apparently wasn't enough overhead room within the airplane cabin for any more carry-ons, so my carry on had to go below the plane with the rest of the luggage and I couldn't get any of it again until I reached my final destination. I had a chance to grab anything I may of needed out of it before I handed it off, but all I managed to grab were my gummy worms and beef jerky for the ride, but completely forgot the folder with all of my supporting documents! 

The customs agent that helped me was a pleasant middle-aged woman, with one hell of a Scottish accent. This was my first time encountering it and I admittedly had to ask her to repeat herself on several occasions, but regardless she was real nice and took an interest in where I was from and what I was going to school for. When it came time to show her my supporting documents I explained to her what had happened and she was thankfully very understanding about it! She told me she didn't want to make me wait and instead she just asked me a few more questions regarding schooling and my stay. This only took a little longer and before long she was stamping the first page on my passport, it was official now, I am a resident (albeit temporary) of Scotland!

Passport stamped I went and was quickly able to claim my luggage, luckily nothing was missing and everything had come through. Knowing that I needed some cash I used the ATM at the airport and withdrew some cold hard Scottish pounds. Rachel, myself, and a handful of other American students huddled together in the airport, waiting for our shuttle to come shortly.