What did you get up to over the winter break? If you’re looking for ideas of how to make the most of your time in the UK, Current Chevening Scholar and Social Media Ambassador (SMA) Priska Putri takes us along for the ride on her travels around Scotland.
When I found out I had been chosen for Chevening, I was determined to make the most of this amazing opportunity and to see as much of the UK as possible. I love exploring new places and this passion drives me to pack as much sightseeing into my trips as possible. My winter vacation was no exception, as I set off to discover various locations around Scotland.
Edinburgh was my first stop. I was in Edinburgh when the Indonesian Cheveners in Scotland organised an event called ‘Uncover Stories of The Royal Mile’. This walking tour was a fantastic opportunity to explore the city and gain insight into its rich history. For my second day in Edinburgh, I finally got to catch up with an old acquaintance I had not seen in years; she invited me to join her on a hike up Arthur’s Seat, the city’s tallest peak. The trail was treacherous due to the snow the day before, but the views were well worth the effort.
Glasgow was the location of my second stop. As a lifelong fan of Harry Potter, seeing the University of Glasgow had always been one of my travel goals. I was also determined to make it to the Kelvingrove Art and Gallery Museum. My visits to these two areas of Glasgow were definitely the highlights of my trip. But along the way, I learned that this city is well-known for many other impressive buildings too.
I was lucky enough to see lots of snow throughout my travels, and Dundee was no exception. In fact, my arrival coincided with the first significant snowfall of the season, so during my visit to Camperdown Wildlife Centre, I had to take the opportunity to make some snowmen and snow angels.
St. Andrews, the birthplace of golf, was also on my itinerary before I headed back to Aberdeen. This trip was excellent for me because I love being near the water.
But it wasn’t just new places I explored; I also spent some time enjoying my hometown of Aberdeen. One of my favourite spots in the city is the Aberdeen Art Gallery. Here, you can explore the exhibition, take in the innovative design, and even participate in some of the activities on offer. I also love getting together with friends to paint, play games, and take pictures in the photo booth. Another place I got to explore was the most well-known castle in all of Scotland: Dunnottar. It’s a palace near the water that sounds like something out of a fairy tale. It completely captivated me.
Looking ahead, Cairngorms National Park, Inverness, and the Isle of Skye will round up my travel plans for the year. And I cannot wait to experience the highland capital’s Hogmanay, Scotland’s famous New Year’s Eve celebration.
If you want to follow along on my journey, I will post updates on my social media accounts. But, in the meantime, hopefully this has given you some ideas of how to make the most of your holidays in the UK!
Lights twinkle on decorated trees in homes around the UK as the evenings grow darker and colder. Christmas can be a joyful time of year, but for international students studying in a foreign country it can sometimes be challenging.
As the temperature drops, it can be hard to find the motivation to take a break from studying and stay active. Luckily, Social Media Ambassador (SMA) Sibongiseni Zondi has some great tips for how he’s planning to maintain a healthy body and mind over the winter period.
To kick off our winter wellbeing campaign, we’re sharing our top tips for how to stay active during the colder months!