The Journey

After the four previous blogs I have posted, I would now like to talk about my decision to study at University of Strathclyde and how I find my experience in university and the city.

                                            My journey to the west started with the decision to study in University of Strathclyde over other options. Strathclyde offers a 3 years BBA degree with honors through accelerated January intakes. This suited me greatly as I finished my previous diploma in Singapore in August and needed rest longer than usual British September intakes. Having been named the ‘Business School of the Year’ in UK in the TimesHigher Education Awards in 2016 (also recognized as the Scottish University of the Year 2020 by The Sunday Times Good University Guide this year), Strathclyde University is one of the better universities located in a positive and growing environment. Recommended by seniors studying in Glasgow, and a few other cities, I viewed this as my ideal choice and looked back not a second time, and now, here I am!

Before coming here as a student, I had no idea what the culture was like and had to researched everyday anxiously and excitingly. After spending a year, there are some things I discovered and want to share about my new home. Interestingly, Glasgow is the biggest city in Scotland, and it is also full of life and smiles with numerous events, festivals and concerts every month. All its museums, parks and other public attractions are usually free. The Buchanan street is crowded with entertainers, shoppers and explorers, and is full of love and music in the air.

People of Glasgow are one of the friendliest British people in the UK, truly to its famous tagline ‘People make Glasgow’. You can freely talk to any Glaswegian in the streets, ask them for directions and chat random stuff while in queues and crowds. When I first came to UK, I had no phone connections or internet for 3 days and had to rely on strangers around the city to survive. Going to bars on Friday nights with my only friend back then, we never felt the loner vibes with strangers open and friendly, who would come and talk to you first and make every foreigner feel at home.

My first year at the international study center was compromised of mixed emotions. With international students from all over the world, it was hard to communicate with everyone on a full understanding level. People were different and it was hard to approach people, only later on to find out that some of these people I met were to become a part of my closest friends who will help, motivate and stick together with you regardless of the situation you will be in!

Two more years to go, and I am excited about what my adventure still have left in the locker to offer me. What about you guys? How has your time away from Myanmar been? Have you made the right decision?

Sneaky Scots

          As an Burmese migrating to Scotland for the very first time, there were many elements to be explored. With an open-minded spirit and a bit of curiosity, I took my time learning and observing every detail about the culture here, and how it is enriched with traditions that set the Scots apart from the rest of the UK. After living in Glasgow for a few years, a number of trips to eastern Scotland and the south of England, here are a few things I learnt about Scotland:

Buddy system

          I can still recall the time when I first arrived in Glasgow; I had no internet or directory to help myself with. I remembered that a friend who studies here telling me that the Scottish were approachable and helpful. I had no choice but to experiment this piece of information to get around the town for a couple of days. True, the Scottish (Glaswegians) were very friendly and were kind enough to give me directions around and gave advice that I didn’t know I needed. Approaching to strangers had never been easier in my life in Glasgow.

The Scottish Accent

          Although the people were hospitable and decent, it was very hard to communicate with Glaswegians during the very first month reaching here. The accents were to strong and people spoke in a fast manner. After a few night outs and a year's time, I fortunately, got used to the language!

Music and Fashion

          It was not in Glasgow but in the old town of Edinburgh that I first discovered the bagpipers. Middle aged men wearing traditional skirts and blowing the unusual wind instruments, I found this moment funny and the music shockingly soothing in the ears. Until today, me and my friends would often discuss about what bag pipers wear underneath the skirts!

Drinking

          The drinking culture in Glasgow is just too hard to handle. It was 10.30am on a Wednesday morning when I went to Wetherspoons for a breakfast and found old people already drinking beer. When I told a local friend about this, he responded that it was also his dream to get drunk everyday as soon as he retires. Unbelievable!

Food

          Coming to Britain from Asia, I settled for low expectations regarding the British cuisine. Rightly so, a majority of food is either fried or boiled in Scotland and personally tasteless most times. However, there are also some surprises I did not expect to find. The milk and fruits (especially Scottish strawberries) are rich and flavorful, and the fish and chips, boring as it sounds, you can never get enough of them. Lastly, I also came across some local Scottish delights such as haggis and black pudding.

          So, these were some of the elements in Scotland that I found interesting and worthy of sharing. The Scots are friendly, the whiskey amazing, food and fashion not so much. What about the country you are studying in? Is it similar to Scotland? If not, comment and share your experience! 😊

Green is Great, Great Britain Green!

          As a third world citizen, it has been a surreal experience to witness drastic environmental changes from Southeast Asia to the UK. On today’s blog, I wanted to share my opinion about how clean this country is and how we should be adopting some of its practices (whatever within reach!) to clean our cities.

Going for Sustainable Goals

          The United Kingdom is on the right track of reaching a greener and sustainable environment amid its history of massive carbon contributions (eg. coal mines, steel productions, manufacturing, etc). In 2015, the British Government committed to achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals which target to promote peace, prosperity, health and education, and climate change all over the world.

          During my one-year time in the Scotland, it has been an astonishing experience to witness all of these changes the local people have done for the greater good. The National Health Service Scotland and its free healthcare benefits for its citizens, the free Scottish education system (including university!) for the future Scottish generations and so on. On top of all these, there is one aspect I would talk about: How the UK is shifting towards a greener society at a swift pace.

          All over the news, the country has been receiving recognition for becoming increasingly sustainable over the past few years. In fact, according to BBC (2019), Britain has been producing more power from clean sources than fossil fuels for the first time since the Industrial Revolution. Moreover, wildflowers have been flooding not just the highways, but also in parks and neighborhoods.

          Initially, I wondered how this was being done, and why my country’s government couldn’t do this. After spending time in Glasgow, and a few other British cities, I started to recognize the little big things people and the government coordinate to achieve this collective goal. Thus, I would like to present some of these “little big things” to everyone reading my blog in the hope of one day, our city become greener too!

Paper Bags

          Unlike Myanmar where non-recyclable plastic bags are still used as containers, food shops like McDonald’s or Tim Hortan’s in Britain mainly go for the one-time biodegradable paper bags only to hold food.

Pay for Plastic

          Grocery stores like Morrisons and Aldi also do not provide free plastic bags (you need to buy them!) and encourage customers to use reusable bags for shopping.

A Coffee Cup for 25p!

          Where I come from, coffee shops do not give you the option to bring a cup to hold coffee or tea and everything is included in the final price. However, in the UK, shops charge you for both coffee and the one-time use cups. Or you can bring your own cup and reduce waste. Amazing!

Recycled Plastic Filled Products

          I was shopping at Hollister last week when I came across something called recycled plastic filled puffer jackets. This was the second time I came across this, and the first time was when I saw pillows made from recyclable plastic bottles in John Lewis! This may be common to the local people, but I found these products surprisingly pleasing.

 

Windmills

          When you travel in Scotland, it is very usual to find windmill farms alongside the highways. No smoke, no noise (from a distance), just pure and clean energy from mother nature.

          So, these are some of the things about the UK I find really impressive and envy. I believe we should learn a thing or two to clean our cities back in Myanmar too. Do you think the same?

Modern Religion

          Today, i will be talking about how football is significant in the United Kingdom, and how the British culture has influenced my perspective of the sport. Do you have any sports you are passionate for?

Britain and football

          In Myanmar, boys and men mostly play football and the game stops at full-time whistle. However, in the UK, it is a completely different case where football is as influential(and controversial) as religions, and off-field drama is ever present. Men and women, young or old, and even children love the game, and this doesn't stop on the pitch or TV games. They would sing songs of the old to celebrate their teams (below is a video i recorded during the Celtic's famous treble treble for a taste)! People would travel thousands of miles from the Great Britain to great distances like Azerbaijan to watch their local club play. Monday morning talks usually concerns the games played during the weekend and banters among colleagues are ever humorous and I believe this game keeps different people closer. 

Fan culture

         Burmese people(including me) wouldn't spend a nickel to watch their local clubs play for apparent reasons. In the UK, people would pay ludicrous amounts of money to watch their favorite football teams play in weekends.  Sometimes, rivalries between clubs can sometimes go to extreme extents where players go into clashes on the pitch and fans outside. As a student in Glasgow, it's common sense to avoid wearing royal blue shirts, or green-and-white stripes during the weekends especially when the Old Firm Derby is on. This is because it is not unusual to read local news of group fights, homicides, etc., between Ranger and Celtic fans, and you just don't want to be sandwiched between them. This is not only common in Scotland, but also in England where some of the world football's biggest rivalries exists.

Fan fights, England

On cloud nine

Emirates Stadium, London

          As obvious as it can get, many friends who know me can only tell that I am a die-hard football fan. One of the main reasons i decided to study in UK is to visit the football club I have supported since 9 years old(parents don't know yet). On the day i did, I wept for joy on the first sight of the Emirates football stadium of Arsenal football club in North London. Although i was the newest person in the area, for some reason, it felt just like home. To this day, I can still feel the evening breeze around the stadium and picture people jogging around it. No doubt, one of the best day of my life.

       So this blog talks about how important football is in the UK, and how British people are crazy about it. Are there any sports more famous than football in your area?

Beautiful British Isles