So, you are thinking about studying in Edinburgh? Good
choice! Edinburgh is one of the most captivating cities in Europe, with
students and professionals alike travelling here with the intention of staying
for a few months but wind up staying
here for a few years. ‘Multi-cultural’
is a word that is used to describe a lot of different places, but Edinburgh?
Edinburgh wrote the book on
‘multi-culturalism’.
If you are thinking about relocating either permanently or
temporarily, then here are ten things that you should be aware of before you
arrive.
Doctors
Possibly the most important item on the list is
healthcare. Scotland has famously free
healthcare and registering with a GP (General Practitioner) is a
straightforward process. Once you arrive
and you have your accommodation organised, just walk into any clinic and sign
up.
Transport
Getting around Edinburgh is nice and simple. Our bus service is very reliable and our many
taxi companies will help see you home whatever the hour.
If you are planning to leave the city to explore Scotland,
then you should check the national rail service because you might be legible
for a discount card.
Accommodation
Prices in Edinburgh vary by location but it is no secret
that Edinburgh is an expensive city to live in.
As a general rule, the closer you are to the city centre, the more rent
you can expect to pay. That being said,
the areas surrounding Edinburgh are beautiful and the bus links are excellent.
There are options for traveling inside of Edinburgh aside from the busses, such as the many
taxi companies and tram service. If you
wish to travel away from Edinburgh and explore the country, then, depending on
your circumstances, you may qualify for a discount rail card.
Eating Out
Edinburgh, as mentioned before, is a wonderfully
multicultural environment and nowhere is it clearer than in its
restaurants. The variety of places to
eat is simply staggering and they
are not just restricted to the city centre. If you miss your country’s cuisine, Edinburgh may be able to provide you
with the delicacies from your home in one the great variety of international
supermarkets.
Of course, if you wish to experience traditional British
food then perhaps a traditional pub is
just the ticket!
Cultural Immersion
Edinburgh has a vast history which has been chronicled into
its very buildings. From the narrow,
winding streets of the ‘Old Town’ to the masterful creation that is the ‘New
Town’, Edinburgh’s architecture is a delight.
Everywhere you turn you are reminded of a beautiful, but harsh, past
that graced this city.
Even Robert Louis Stevenson, one of Scotland’s greatest
writers, once remarked:
There are no stars as lovely as Edinburgh street lamps.
So what do you need to do to get here?
Well, if you are planning
to study then you will probably need IELTS or TOEFL. Or perhaps you are looking to settle here and
become a British Citizen, if so then you will probably need to do SELT.
At ELA-Edinburgh, we offer a number of
courses that can help you achieve your goals of relocating to Scotland. Our exam focussed courses will cover all of
your university requirements and if you are intending to stay then we will be
very happy to help.
Glossary
Captivating – really beautiful
To wind up – to come to a destination that was not planned
To write the book on something – to be the first expert on
something
Aside from – not including
Staggering – (adj) to describe something very positively
Just the ticket – used to describe something as
perfect, often used for foo
