a very honest first week abroad - study abroad diaries Ep. 1

Summary

In this engaging video, the creator recounts their chaotic journey to Edinburgh, including a 12-hour layover and a frantic search for dorm sheets. They share their experience of settling into a new city, navigating the challenges of freshers week, and finding solace in simple pleasures like a peaceful walk and a delicious breakfast at a local cafe. The narrative captures the highs and lows of adjusting to life as an international student, emphasizing the importance of pacing oneself amidst the excitement and overwhelming newness.

Takeaways

• 😔 The narrator had a challenging experience at the airport with long immigration lines, causing a 12-hour wait and a late arrival in Edinburgh.
• 🌙 The narrator arrived in Edinburgh at night, struggled with heavy luggage, and got lost finding their accommodation.
• 🛏️ Upon arrival, the narrator made their dorm room feel more like home by unpacking and making their bed, which helped them settle in.
• 🥗 The narrator's first meal in their new home was a protein bar, reflecting the initial adjustment to a new environment.
• 🤗 The first week was filled with socializing and excitement, surprising the narrator after a year of pandemic-induced isolation.
• 🛌 The dorm sheets provided were paper-thin, prompting the narrator to purchase better quality bedding.
• 🚶‍♀️ The narrator enjoyed a long walk to the city center, exploring local shops and having lunch at a quaint place.
• 🛍️ Basic essentials were purchased, including some unfamiliar brands, to set up their living space.
• ☕️ A peaceful morning walk to Greyfriar's Kirkyard and a delicious breakfast at The Milkman cafe highlighted the narrator's appreciation for local spots.
• 🏠 The narrator observed the chaos of 'freshers week' from their building, noting the energy of new students.
• 🔍 There were moments of frustration, such as searching for thumbtacks, but also moments of enjoyment and feeling good about being out in the world.

Q & A

What was the narrator's experience with immigration lines at the airport?

The narrator experienced extremely long immigration lines, which took about four hours, causing a delay and resulting in a 12-hour wait at the airport.

Why did the narrator have to stay at the airport for over 12 hours?

The narrator had a layover flight from London to Edinburgh and due to the long immigration lines, they missed their connecting flight and had to wait for the next one.

How did the narrator feel upon arriving in Edinburgh?

The narrator felt overwhelmed and questioned whether moving to a new country was the right decision, especially after a long and tiring journey.

What did the narrator do to make their dorm room feel more like home?

The narrator made their bed, unpacked their suitcase, and organized their belongings to create a sense of settling in and establishing the room as their own.

What was the narrator's first meal in Edinburgh?

The narrator's first meal was a protein bar, which they ate while staring out the window, reflecting on their situation.

How did the narrator describe their first week in Edinburgh?

The narrator described their first week as exciting and fun, filled with socializing events and a surprising ability to talk to people after a year of the pandemic.

Why did the narrator need to buy new sheets?

The narrator needed to buy new sheets because the dorm sheets provided were like paper, and they planned to spend the entire year in Edinburgh, so they wanted something more comfortable.

What was the narrator's experience with shopping for essentials in Edinburgh?

The narrator found shopping for essentials to be a bit challenging due to unfamiliar brands and had to visit several stores to find what they needed.

How did the narrator spend their first full day in Edinburgh?

The narrator spent their first full day exploring the city, walking about 12 miles, having lunch at a cute place, and visiting various small shops.

What was the narrator's strategy for coping with the overwhelming first week?

The narrator's strategy included pacing themselves, taking moments to relax and do things they enjoy, such as watching their favorite TV show, sitting in a cafe, and going for walks.

How did the narrator find the experience of being around other international students during their first week?

The narrator found it to be a bit chaotic, with many students running around trying to see everything, but also noted the importance of putting themselves out there despite being more introverted.