You guys almost have me hoping I get into the 5 year program rather than the GEP! It really sounds like it would be a good fit for me in several ways... I am just having a hard time with the idea of an extra year of tuition!
I am having more and more fantasies about moving to Scotland... My friends are all rooting for Edinburgh so they can come visit me! I've started the rabies quarantine process already (microchip and vaccination... blood will be drawn if I get rejected from CSU...) and have "decided" that I will steam over on the QM2 with my 2 dogs. How did that go, by the way Flyhi? Was housing hard to find with the dogs?
What are the different options for the EMS? I am really excited about the idea of it, but have no idea where I would start. Once you are at the university, are the set places you can go, or do you have to arrange it all yourself?
Also, you said you are the oldest in your class Flyhi... is there a pretty good mix of ages or just a few of the more significantly "non-traditional" students? If I were to get into the 5 year program, it makes me smile to have classmates that are just a year or two older than my current students!
Anyway, if I manage to get accepted, I'm sure there will be a million more questions from me! For now it is just really fun to think about...
Looks like all of the Edinburgh peeps are on tonite
😍 and have answered many questions. Like they said, do not worry about EMS, you will talk to other students and find placements that suit you best. There are plenty of set ones, you just have to call and arrange.
About the housing..all that they have said is true. Very easy to find pet friendly housing ONCE YOU ARE HERE. Not so easy from abroad (even if you don't have a pet). Almost all places require you to personally view it before signing a lease. Plus, I came in the middle of festival/fringe, which is the entire month of August (GEP's start in Aug and 5 yrs in Sept) and really hard to find a flat then anyways. I rented a festival flat for two weeks over the internet. It was still kind of a nightmare. Take SoBe's advice....B and B's are right at the edge of town and lots take pets. Give yourself one or two weeks to find a flat. Students live everywhere since years 3-5 are already at Easter Bush and 1st, 2nd and GEP are here at Summerhall. I chose to live right in town (in Marchmont) my first year and move out to the country next year. I wanted to be within walking distance of school. I'm 10 minutes away and live a block from the meadows...a gorgeous, huge 'park' that is green grass forever. My dogs were not city dogs by any means, but they now have it down. They learn not to bark at every bus, person, kid passing by and do their business right on the sidewalk, if necessary. I am able to come home every day during lunchtime to walk them.
As far as sailing over, i tried to hook about 5 other first years up with my cruise lady to get their pets over here next summer and the QM2 is completely booked with a booked waitlist as well. They are into March 2012 already! So, I would suggest flying them over. In all honesty, I had such a scare with one of my little guys when he got ill (no vet on board), that I think i am fine with flying them back. 6-7 days on a ship, in a kennel, is actually pretty stressful for all involved.
As far as the age thing, it's pretty distinct. There are a ton of really young students from all over (18-20 y.o), but mainly UK, and then the North Americans are typically older. We comprise probably 30% of our class (not including when GEP's join us next year - lots more Americans will be added). I would say the avg for the N. Americans is still probably around 24 or so. The age thing doesn't bother me, there are plenty of people to connect with and if you have the same interests, it's just not a big deal.
Oh, bring a reference letter for your pet(s)...it helps tremendously. My former landlord wrote a glowing letter and it sealed the deal. My current landlord still emailed her and checked everything out. Also, my landlord wanted a letter of good standing from my bank at home and an employer reference letter. Just keep this in mind, as it's much, much easier to bring with you than worry about when you are in a rental place with maybe no internet and certainly no phone or fax.
You will have lots of visitors here...it is such a beautiful and outgoing city. Lots to do and see.
Good luck everyone... let us know if you have any more questions.
. A bit dramatic, I know... it is such small things that keep me up at night.
