Canada and Scotland - a Multi-cultural Exchange

Every year more and more Canadians are discovering that Scotland not only offers beautiful scenery, cool cosmopolitan cities and top quality education but it also has a huge international student scene, which means choosing to study here is truly a global experience.

Scotland is the Place went in search of some Canadians, to find out what life is like for overseas students in Scotland.

International Relations

The small town of St Andrews on Scotland's east coast 50 miles north of Edinburgh has a reputation as a quaint little town, famous for golf and its small (just over 7,000 students) university.

If you were looking to escape from the modern big city lifestyle this is the place to go, but if you think it might be dull, think again!

Robin Sutherland, 21 from Northern Ontario was surprised to find students from all over the world studying in St Andrews, which turns out to be a very international school indeed. Not only is she enjoying the cosy 'small town by the sea' atmosphere and studying on a world class International Relations course, she is also meeting people from many different countries and backgrounds.

International Relations is a popular choice with Canadians in St Andrews. Julia MacLeod says although she could have taken courses back in Canada in Political Science, being in St Andrews has given her the opportunity to specialise in International Relations and work with a renowned faculty.

Julia is taking courses on International Regimes and Organisations, Case Studies in Conflict Analysis, International Political Economy and the Politics of War.

"I chose St Andrews mostly because of its academic reputation," she explained. "The school of International Relations is one of the best in the world, and I was impressed with the credentials of the professors. I also wanted to go to a smaller school. My university in Canada (the University of Western Ontario) has almost 30,000 students and I wanted to try going somewhere smaller and more personal."

Teaching methods in Canada and Scotland are similar, which is part of the reason academic exchanges can be so successful, but the differences are worth noting. Jackie Bonisteel another student of International Relations explains:

"I have been expected to work much more independently here. I have far fewer lecture hours, but more reading to do. Also, instead of taking five classes at once, I take two. This narrowed focus allows for more in-depth study."

Apart from study there have been plenty of memorable times getting used to living in a new place far away from home. Julia Macleod loves it when the weather brings out the best in St Andrews.

"When it's sunny out there's no place in the world more beautiful than St. Andrews. I love how old everything is here: in Canada we think something's old if it was built in the 1890s, but here many buildings date from the middle ages. And it's pretty cool living in a city that has a ruined castle."

Jackie Bonisteel can't recommend Scotland enough.

"If you're looking to spend time abroad, Scotland is a great choice. The language and similar culture makes it an easy place for Canadians to get accustomed to, but it definitely offers a unique experience. You'll meet a ton of great people who will help broaden your outlook on the world.

"The landscape is breathtaking and the people are very warm and friendly - with a sharp sense of humour!"

St Andrews University has long established links with the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and the University of Toronto, also in Ontario.

Find out more about the St Andrews University: www.st-andrews.ac.uk.

Brewing Inspiration

If learning about International Relations isn’t your thing, how about trying one of the most specialised and fascinating courses available in Scotland - the Msc in Distilling and Brewing offered by Edinburgh's famous Heriot Watt University?

The university has a pilot brewery for hands on experience and inspires a real passion for its subject in its students.

After doing a bachelor's degree at the University of Guelph in Canada, Mathew Howell decided to combine this knowledge with his love of cuisine by pursuing a career in brewing. 

"Making and designing a new beer is like designing a new dish or recipe," he explains enthusiastically.

It wasn't just the appeal of crafting a career from the edible things he loves in life that attracted Mathew Howell to study in Scotland.

"One of my greatest pleasures when I have some free time is to go exploring and just wander. Doing that here is so amazing. Walking though the castle, or up on Arthur's seat is amazing. It gives me time to think about all the things that have gone on here, and it just amazes me.

"I also chose Scotland because of the challenges that it would provide me. I'm always looking for ways to challenge myself physically and mentally. Moving overseas for a year to learn about Brewing and Distilling, thousands of miles away from my home in Canada has provided me with just such a challenge.

"Once I complete my stay here I will have done something most people that I know would never have done or will never do, and it makes me proud of myself."

Like the students at St Andrews, Mathew has found that studying in Scotland means meeting not only Scots but also making friends from every corner of the globe.

"Meeting all of these people, hanging out with them, learning new things from them and hopefully teaching them a few things is what has made up my favourite times here in Scotland."

Find out more about Heriot Watt University: www.hw.ac.uk.

Centring on Canadians

The connection between Scottish and Canadian students isn’t all about Canadians coming over here to study. Scots like to learn about Canada too.

Edinburgh's Centre of Canadian Studies headed by Dr Annis May Timpson has come a long way since its inception in the mid 1970s.

From being the first centre dedicated to Canadian Studies focusing on geography and colonial history, it now offers undergraduate courses that focus on all aspects of Canada as a multi-cultural society and gives support to PhD students whose studies have a Canadian focus. 

"The undergraduate students at the Centre tend to be UK based," says Dr Timpson, "and a high percentage of our Scottish students have some Canadian connection.

"Also we have some Americans, French and Canadians who have lived elsewhere and are now interested in learning about Canada.

"The Centre also welcomes Canadian students who are looking to pursue postgraduate research that has either a Canadian or UK-related theme."

The Centre has a successful outreach programme that includes conferences and seminars that are popular with Canadian academics. The courses offered by the Centre give valuable insight into other courses in anthropology and history but also tie in to Scottish studies, literature, politics, sociology and law.

Dr Timpson believes that the existence of a dedicated Centre of Canadian Studies in Scotland is something that points to the strong connections and sympathy felt between the two nations.

Canadians are guaranteed a warm welcome in Scotland; many Scots have close relatives living in Canada and usually have either visited Canada or have some knowledge of the country.

Find out more about the Centre and the courses and resources it offers: www.cst.ed.ac.uk/index.html

More about studying in Scotland:

Almost all universities in Scotland have academic exchange programmes with Canadian universities.

• Find out more about Scotland’s universities
• Find out what Canadians already studying here had to say about their experience 
• Find out about the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme