STUDENT BLOG: First impressions of Dundee

STUDENT BLOG: First impressions of Dundee

Barbara Szpilka is a First Year Criminology student at Abertay, and has written this blog post about what it's been like to experience Dundee and Scotland for the first time as an international student. 

On my first day in Dundee, my friend walked me through the city centre where we were welcomed by a horde of seagulls looking like they were ready to fight me to death over the bag of crisps that I was holding! Then we stopped by Tesco and my friend got me a mysteriously looking orange drink. “Here - it’s Irn-Bru. You should try it since you live in Scotland now!” she said.

I am still debating whether I liked it or not, but at that moment I realized this was the beginning of my Scottish adventure.

Studying at university in Scotland has been my one of my greatest ambitions for a long time, so saying “see you later” to Poland, my home country, did not seem like a difficult choice to make. Especially when I finally got to see the outside of the Abertay University buildings in person on my first day.

Did I take way too many pictures? Probably yes. Did I feel the thrill of starting my Criminology degree just in a few weeks? Definitely yes. Even though everything was going to be so different because of the pandemic, I knew I was on the right path.

Fast forward to today, I have officially lived here for two weeks and I feel like I have learned quite a lot about the place that I will be calling “home” for the next four years.

Dundee is indeed flooded with seagulls and...seagull art. Just by the waterfront, which is where I live, there is a long wall covered with graffiti and a lot of images include different depictions of those interesting yet slightly scary birds.

Speaking of art, I really enjoyed my visit at The McManus Art Gallery & Museum where I got to explore the city’s history contained within the walls of a stunningly beautiful historic building. Over the course of two weeks, I also dropped by a few cafes and bookstores scattered around Dundee. I suspect it was probably the main reason why suddenly there was so little space left on the bookshelf in my room.

The other thing that I have grown to like about Dundee is probably the fact how tightly-knit it is (and that is coming from a person who loves big cities!)

Despite the current situation, Dundee appears to be lively and full of little places worth visiting and supporting since, like everywhere else, many small businesses have been hit by the pandemic. Almost everything is within walking distance and the city itself has plenty of train and bus connections, which actually makes it a great base for exploring the surrounding areas. I have heard from many people that they are truly beautiful.

There is still a little time left before classes begin, which makes me want to explore those places. I have yet to climb hills near Dundee, so it seems like some time this week I will put on my good walking shoes, take a backpack and set out for adventure, of course being cautious of large noisy figures flying in the sky and waiting for me to pull a sandwich out of my backpack. Or any kind of food.

And to be honest, I might take a sip of Irn-Bru afterwards.