ABOUT
Haley is from a very small town in Washington State, USA. A lot of people get it confused with Washington DC, but she is from Washington state, commonly known for Seattle. Right now she is a full time student at the University of Glasgow studying for her masters degree in Psychological Science. She has held many different jobs before though: custodian, delivery driver, park aide, legal administrative assistant, substitute para educator, and others.
She only fluently speaks English but took two years of Spanish in high school so she knows enough to hold a basic conversation.
Moving to Glasgow
When and why did you move to Glasgow?
I moved in September 2022 to start studying for my masters degree at the university of Glasgow and then my two children and their father moved in October to join me. They had to wait a few extra weeks for their visas to be approved.
What surprised you about life there when you first arrived?
How diverse the community in Glasgow is. Itās absolutely lovely, and I assume itās because of the university there and it being the largest city (population wise) in Scotland, but before I moved I felt like I just assumed there would be more Scottish people. Iāve met people from all over the world since living in Glasgow.
How to find a job in Glasgow?
A lot of local businesses have signs posted in the windows saying they are hiring. Iāve also looked on Indeed.com and the University of Glasgow also has an online portal for students for finding jobs or volunteering opportunities.
How did you find an apartment in Glasgow?
Iām renting from the University, so I just applied via the University accommodation website. Itās roughly Ā£1000 a month for rent, not including electricity and gas because we pay that separately.
How did you get set up? (phone plan, bank ..)
When collecting my residence permit the man was also giving out GiffGaff SIM cards with instructions on how to set it up. Itās very simple and can all be done online.
Setting up a bank was a little more difficult. I needed to apply online but then I had to go into the bank anyways to show proof of address and identity. It took about a month of going back and forth to get my account set up.
Setting up utilities can also be done online through the local power company. I had to call them to get a code for one of my meters, but the rest can be done online.
Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance?
Since Scotland has the NHS (National Health Service) my family and I were each required to pay a fee when applying for our visas so we could have access to their free healthcare system.
What did you bring with you?
Clothes and towels, pillows and blankets, cellphones and headphones, gaming console and controllers, a few books, a few DVDs and games to play, school supplies, childrenās toys, hygiene products, a necklace with my grandfather’s ashes inside, coasters my friend gave me for Christmas, and a framed picture of my children, their father, and myself.
What is Glasgow famous for?
It has beautiful architecture.
Living in Glasgow
What are the main differences between Americans and Scottish people?
1. Scottish people seem more cultured in general, but that may be my bias or the fact of living in Europe where other countries are a lot closer together making travelling easier.
2. I see a lot of kids walking home from school, and in the United States there is such a big fear of kidnapping, killing, etc that you barely see kids walking home from school. It seems like a much safer place to live in Scotland.
3. A lot of Scottish people drink tea, and Americans drink coffee. Obviously some people drink both, but in general thatās something Iāve noticed. In the United States there are drive -through coffee stands all over the place, and in Scotland there are cafes to sit down and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee.
4. While both Scottish and American people speak English, there are different words used for some things, and different ways of pronouncing some things. Scottish people say āweeā when people from the United States say āsmallā or ālittleā. The ālineā in the United States is called the āqueueā in Scotland. Plus many more simple changes like that. Then there are words like tomato, which are pronounced differently in Scotland compared to the United States.
2. I see a lot of kids walking home from school, and in the United States there is such a big fear of kidnapping, killing, etc that you barely see kids walking home from school. It seems like a much safer place to live in Scotland.
3. A lot of Scottish people drink tea, and Americans drink coffee. Obviously some people drink both, but in general thatās something Iāve noticed. In the United States there are drive -through coffee stands all over the place, and in Scotland there are cafes to sit down and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee.
4. While both Scottish and American people speak English, there are different words used for some things, and different ways of pronouncing some things. Scottish people say āweeā when people from the United States say āsmallā or ālittleā. The ālineā in the United States is called the āqueueā in Scotland. Plus many more simple changes like that. Then there are words like tomato, which are pronounced differently in Scotland compared to the United States.
Do you sometimes struggle to understand the Scottish accent?
In the beginning I struggled a little bit, but some accents are much thicker than others. After living here for a few months I donāt find it hard to understand anyone.
Whenās the best moment to visit Glasgow?
Summer or Fall, you get more daylight hours then.
Where is the best area to live in Glasgow?
I like living in the West End, near the university, because I can just walk everywhere I need to. I think most areas of Glasgow would be nice to live in.
Do you feel safe as a woman?
Yes, Glasgow is a very welcoming place with friendly people.
Can you tell us something else about Glasgow that we might not know?
There are multiple smaller communities of Glasgow that have names. Like āPartickā āBroomhillā āRoystonā āetc.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Glasgow?
I think it depends on your lifestyle. Itās very easy to walk or take public transportation places which cuts down on costs. A good average would probably be around Ā£4000 a month if you have kids, but you could probably survive on less if you needed to.
Are there any local artists that you recommend checking out?
The Diversity Quota is a hilarious comedy show.
Final Thoughts
What do you know about Scottish music?
I donāt know much but I have gone to a ceilidh (social event with Scottish music and dancing) and I would recommend to everyone to go. Also, bagpipes are played at important ceremonies. Graduation, weddings, funerals, parades, etc.
What are some underrated places in Scotland?
In Scotland, the Isle of Lewis and Harris are beautiful but not really talked about much. Everyone seems to talk about the Isle of Skye, which is also beautiful but very popular. The Isle of Lewis and Harris was amazing to visit.
Was it easy making friends and meeting people?
All of the friends I made are international students, and most of them are people I did a group project with, or people they introduced me to. I did make a couple of other friends from social events put on by the university.
Describe your favorite recreational activities š
I donāt get out much due to studying for my masters degree, but I love to go to the parks with my children. A lot of people do cycling. Visiting the museums. There is martial arts classes, language classes, dance classes, and more available in Glasgow. Glasgow being a large city means it has a lot to offer.
What has been the hardest aspect of living in Glasgow?
Being so far away from my family in the US. The children not having any friends and us not knowing anyone else with kids around their age so they have people to play with.
What should people consider before deciding to move to Glasgow?
It is a city and while thatās great for some things itās not the same as living in the countryside. It doesnāt have the same natural beauty as other parts of Scotland has to offer, but it does have beautiful buildings.
Are there any experiences there that surprised you?
Itās not really an experience and more like my life, but I feel calmer here. Despite the stress from school and uncertainty of life in general.
Itās been a transition to pack up my whole life and my family and move across the world, but I just feel better here. I feel like I have less āproblemsā despite things being more difficult in some ways. I miss home but I love living abroad. I like the way my head feels clearer. I wouldnāt say āhappierā but I feel more at peace.
What are your plans for the future?
Iām hoping to get a visa to stay in the UK after graduating, and will hopefully find a job in my field of study. I also plan to apply for a PhD program for the 2024 school year.
Thank you Haley for answering these questions, you must be really busy so I appreciate you taking the time! I like that you described your feelings in this new place, we definitely donāt talk about that enough, even though itās essential! I wish you the best for your university work and future projects!
Instagram: Haleyhisel
Tiktok: StudyabroadScotland
Instagram: Haleyhisel
Tiktok: StudyabroadScotland
