Hey all,

My name’s Hannah and I’m a 21 year old about to embark on a bit of a mission across the pond to study my third year of Biological Sciences at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver. When I say mission, am hoping it’s more of a painless transition from one continent to another. By all accounts there will be many similarities to help me feel at home; a common response from people having heard about my plans usually includes some reference to the excess of rain Vancouver receives (two thirds of the year apparently.) Usually this is followed by something rather more positive along the lines of “it’s beautiful” or “you’ll love it there.” Fingers crossed eh!

This time last year I had no intentions of leaving this city behind but when the international applications time came round curiosity got the better of me and a few months later I found myself with an offer to study in Canada for a year and thus with a decision to make.

Turns out it wasn’t that hard a decision and six months down the line I’m nearly ready to go…. Ish. Not quite got myself the all important visa yet but it’s all in the pipelines. Whilst the international exchange brings with it an excess of paperwork, fortunately, it’s not all in one go and something that has been relatively manageable. The geek in me is pretty excited by my course choices; Mammalogy and Zoogeography would surely appeal to anyone?! Although the lazy part of me is slightly daunted by the prospect of 8am lectures Monday to Friday of my first term.

It’s been an odd few months as on one side I’ve been dying to talk about every stage of the planning for next year (I’m quite a talker so people generally know what I’m up to most of the time, whether they want to or not.) But at the same time, whenever UBC comes up in conversation it’s a reminder of the year in Edinburgh I’m going to miss and more importantly the friends I’m leaving behind. I’m at the 6 week stage in the countdown and honestly there is a part of me that’s wondering if I’ve made the right decision. Spending this summer with the folks I’m going to have to manage without for the next year has so far been amazing but occasionally the little voice in my head asks “why would you go away and mess this up, dive in to the unknown and become a fresher again?”

I think the most reassuring thing anyone’s said to me was something along the lines of “you’ve done it once before and come out on top so at least you know you can do it again.” I’m also thankful for the fact that everyone around me has been incredibly supportive both in and out of university. Whilst I think that my failing exams might have been good news for some people, those same people smiled and congratulated me when I learned I had passed (another obstacle overcome making international exchange more of a certainty.) My genius plan to combat any feeling of indecision is the use of the lonely planet guide to Vancouver. A quick flick through the pages to read of the three beaches on campus (one nudist – not sure I’ll be found on that one), the mountains, ocean, and, of course, the snow…. Well I guess it explains itself and it’s pretty hard not to get excited.

So my plan is to make the most of the month and a bit I have left and then set off on a whole new adventure. Am pretty convinced that Edinburgh’s not going to vanish over the next 12 months and it’s comforting to know at the end of the year I’m returning to a place and people I know and love but hopefully having had a truly memorable year.