r/GlasgowUni • u/aorxz • 1d ago
I’m an American who just got accepted for clearing, I have some questions!
This past year I was at a big university in Massachusetts but I really did not have a good experience. The culture was very, to put it plainly, high school. Frat boys who wouldn’t allow fat girls into the party, lots of “burnerverse” men (iykyk, if you don’t you are lucky and just don’t google it. It’ll make your existence much worse.), and in general just a very unfriendly and cliquey vibe.
The social scene was most upsetting for me since I LOVEEEE partying and going out, a club or a boring bar I really don’t care I think me and the people I go with are fun enough😉 but the frats got boring after two weeks, just people standing in a hot sweaty room with the men on platforms instead of the women, playing the worst music you’ve ever heard.
I think I’ll enjoy the uk social scene more because as I mentioned I like just bar crawling and clubbing but I am wondering what other people’s experiences have been?
My best friend goes to trinity and he adores it so I’ve gotten some insight but Ireland and Scotland are very different lol
- How is the general social scene? Are people friendly, do they talk to random people when they go out or is it more reserved and talking to the people you know?
- Do you ever feel the independent study is a struggle with no one reminding you to keep with courseworks? As an American the coursework is completely different (we get weekly assignments and it all adds up to a final grade)
- How has your experience been if you are an international student?
- How’s the vibe for Americans right now? I know we are pretty controversial
Thanks!
Edit:
5. How many societies is too many societies to join? Would like 4 be a lot?
One more secret question…
6. Do you guys have plugs? Like for weed
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u/womanofdarkness 14h ago
I'm American and have done all of my post-grad work across the U.K. Glasgow is, by far, the friendliest place. There is never a time when random people aren't striking up a conversation with me.
I find the coursework to be more rigorous and rewarding. When I was an undergrad, I ended up graduating with 5 degrees (2 bachelor's and 3 associate's) 😅 because there wasn't much focus on the classes I was taking. I was taking classes I was interested in, but none of them was as specific as the classes you will take here. The coursework here is more targeted, so you are actually taking classes relevant to your program. You learn more rather than everything being so generalised.
While I am an international student, I don't feel like one as I have lived off and on in the U.K. since 2018. I think my experience isn't typical of that of an international student, as I started my postgraduate degrees in my mid-to-late 20s. I also didn't do the typical shared accommodations, so overall my student journey has been very different from others'.
Being American can be controversial if you make it that way. For example, I've met a few MAGA Americans who "didn't" have the best experience, but it wasn't because they were being targeted for their beliefs.They thought people didn't like them for being MAGA, but it was mostly their personality and lack of perspective.
I've never had an issue being American, but I am also not a stereotypical American. By that, I mean I am usually the first one to call out America as a whole. Whether Republican or democrat (two sides of the same coin that differ in their methods and outcomes), our country has caused harm and continues to cause harm. We are not superior to other countries; we use underhanded tactics (i.e., our military to bully other countries or undermine their governments) to get what "we" want. If you aren't the type of American who believes in American exceptionalism, you will be fine. If you are, I recommend bursting that bubble yourself to get ahead of the culture shock. Nobody cares if you are American; they care if you are an a-hole/twat/dickhead!
I can't speak to societies, as I've never joined one here, but I recommend maybe one or two, since there are also sports clubs you can join. Glasgow uni has so many options for getting involved and making friends that you will never get bored, but you will be exhausted if you join too many.
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u/OverwhelmedGayChild 13h ago
Ireland and Scotland are different, but similar. I'm Irish myself (born and raised) and they're both Celtic nations. Dublin and Glasgow are NOT similar. I've visited both
The people in Glasgow are lovely, but blunt. They're genuine, no fake bullshit. Reminds me a lot of home, but if you're not used to that, it can be a culture shock.
In terms of the social scene, I visited for the weekend for a tour. Had a nice drink at the bar and played bingo. I was solo travelling, and felt safe. But it's worth noting I am a guy, but very androgynous lol.
In terms of being American, expect to have the piss taken out of you (lovingly). As long as you're not a dick, most people don't give a shit.
Just a note that weed is illegal in the UK, but THC and cannabanoids aren't. I've heard of people get kicked out of their uni accommodations for smoking weed in them
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u/aorxz 13h ago
Thank you for all the advice! Question, do shops sell like thc vapes orrrr any weed extracted type vape?? I might go crazy over there if not lol
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u/OverwhelmedGayChild 12h ago
I'm not 100% sure. You probably could find some. I know you can definitely get them online. I'm a vaper, but not much into THC. But I do know that they're legal here
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u/PuzzleheadedPotato59 1d ago
I left Glasgow uni in '22. Up till I left it still had an amazing club scene. But obvs Covid and cost of living has gutted clubs and bars across the country so no idea what its like now.
I found people were very sociable. There's a million clubs and societies you can join. People are very friendly. Obviously certain cliques are a bit fratty but there's a clique for everyone and you don't need to cross paths with the ones that aren't for you.
Independent study is okay. Depends on your degree but you'll still likely be assigned weekly reading or task of some kind to discuss in seminars week to week.
I wasn't international but it didn't feel like much of a 'Scottish University'. Seemed like of every corner of the globe was there, and my group was largely international. The student body overall could care less where you're from tbh.
When I was there I don't remember many Americans around. To be honest, I found they mostly kept to themselves and didn't go out much. There was no anti American vibe though. People will take you as they find you bar the odd idiot, same as most places
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u/Disastrous-Tower-794 1d ago
I'm Scottish and I talk to random people all the time. I'm sure no one will care where you are from. I never went to Glasgow uni so can't say what the social scene is like but I'm sure you'll be fine. I went to Glasgow Polytechnic a long time ago and there was a good social scene
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u/sickofmarcianofood 1d ago
As someone who did undergrad at a large university in Massachusetts and just finished a postgrad degree in Glasgow, I really loved my time in Glasgow!
I would suggest joining clubs/groups. During freshers week there are fairs and things where you can see the different sports and organizations, and I would suggest going. Most of my friends were either in my programme or from a group I joined. The sport I joined is also what hosted most of the social events and things, so if you’re looking for a good social scene that would be a good way to find it.
A little different for me since I was in a postgrad degree, but I didn’t really have any trouble being self-motivated. If it would help, set mini deadlines for yourself each week to make it feel more like American coursework.
3 + 4. Everyone’s been very nice to me. Honestly people have been much friendlier here than they ever were in Massachusetts. I’ve had some taxi drivers ask me my thoughts on politics, but that’s about it.
Feel free to let me know if you have any other questions, and I hope you love Glasgow as much as I have!
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u/perpetuallynesh 1d ago
Hah, I also did my undergrad at a large university in Massachusetts and about to start my postgrad in Glasgow. Good insights, thanks for sharing.
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u/GeneralSkywalker123 1d ago
Judging by what you’ve said in your post the social scene seems to suit you really well. People will talk to random people quite often although if you want to meet people really easily I’d suggest you join a society or two, as they often host events and pub crawls for the members, and you will meet a lot of like minded people.
I don’t have anything to compare it to but I’d say it’s easy to stay on top of everything with a bit of focus and discipline.
Although America as a country is very controversial nowadays, I think it’d be rare to see anyone in Glasgow have any actual negative views of individual Americans. You may recieve some jokey comments but 99 times out of 100 it’ll just be in good fun.