From Tampere to Aberdeen: Discovering Scotland through study, nature, and community

I have always dreamt of living in the United Kingdom, and over time Scotland became an especially appealing destination because of its nature, culture, and history. Robert Gordon University (RGU) in Aberdeen was one of my three choices, and it became my exchange destination. Although my first choice was the University of Aberdeen, studying at RGU still allowed me to experience life in the same city. 

During my exchange, I studied applied social sciences at RGU, even though I am a social work student at Tampere University. The studies were more academic and theory-based than at my home university, which helped me strengthen my analytical thinking and academic writing skills. Teaching was mainly organised through lectures followed by seminars. Studying in Scotland allowed me to reflect more critically on my  own field of study and strengthened my motivation for both international and local work.

All studies were in English, which felt challenging at first, especially when reading academic texts. However, my goal for the exchange was to improve my academic English, and I achieved this through the assessments and coursework. If anyone needed help with study or language skills, RGU provided extensive study support services, which were also available to exchange students.

RGU offers excellent opportunities for sports, which played an important role in my exchange period. Exchange students were treated the same as local students, and access to most sports facilities was included in the student membership. The university gym, group exercise classes, and swimming pool were free to use, and additional activities such as climbing, bouldering, and various sports societies were available at reasonable prices. I used the gym regularly and I joined a pole dance and aerial society outside of the official RGU sports societies. The society became an important place for me to meet locals and make new local friends.

Living in Scotland significantly deepened my appreciation for nature and outdoor activities. The area offered easy access to the sea, forests, hills, and the Scottish Highlands. Despite Scotland’s reputation for rainy weather, I learned that outdoor activities can be enjoyable in almost any conditions with the right gear and mindset.

Together with other exchange students, I went hiking or explored natural areas almost weekly. These experiences helped me develop a stronger connection to nature and encouraged a more active lifestyle. The nature in Scotland highlighted similarities and differences between northern regions and strengthened my appreciation for Finnish nature. I plan to continue spending more time outdoors now home, as this became one of the most weekly habits during my exchange.

The best part of my exchange study period was the week-long travel around the Highlands. I got a Rail pass together with my friends, and we travelled to 5 northern cities in Scotland. Many unforgettable memories were made there in the beautiful landscapes of the Scottish Highlands. I would recommend Scotland and northern exchange to everyone, as it feels so similar yet so different to home.