GLOCAL LOUNGE :
From Waseda to Edinburgh (U.K.)

Senior in the School of Political Science and Economics Takahiro Kimura

The author with the teacher who helped him.

View of the campus (“Okuma Auditorium” in Edinburgh University, McEwan Hall)

Introduction to the city of Edinburgh.

Scotland is one of the countries in the United Kingdom. This country is separate from England in its soccer league, educational system, local government system, flag, and paper money. The capital of the country, Edinburgh, is where I go to school. The appellation of the city is the “Athens of the North.” Although it is hard to see the relation between Athens and Edinburgh at first glance, this appellation may not be unreasonable if you look at the long history of this prosperous capital of Scotland and its streets where the maze of the old town and modern department stores harmonize perfectly.

Edinburgh University students are like Waseda students.

The University of Edinburgh, which is located at one corner of the old town, is one of the most prestigious universities in the United Kingdom, one which turned out the philosopher David Hume in the old days and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown of Tony Blair’s cabinet council, in recent times. However, from what I have seen of the students, there is none of the pomposity that is peculiar to the elites. It seems that they are a lot like Waseda students. Student activities are quite vigorous and include athletic teams, humanistic group activities, and also anti-globalization actions. Students at times skip their classes, but the classrooms fill up with students just before exams. Occasionally there are some students shouting or calling out in strange voices on the streets after getting drunk in a pub late at night. Yet, everyone prepares very well and gets involved in arguments actively once they attend classes or tutorials (which we call “Zemi” (i.e. seminar) in Japan), and they study frantically for exams. Though they generally complain about classes, they know when to give it their all.

Not only fun events, but�c

I came here to study abroad, stating big goals such as “I will study the British local governments and decentralization reforms.” Nevertheless, at first I often faced big hurdles and got frustrated. The obstacle of language was particularly significant; I was stuck with no way out. I couldn’t convey well what I wanted to explain and also couldn’t quite understand what my classmates said. I still have some trouble with language and other matters even now although its almost time for me to return home. Yet what I have attained here, such as the academic knowledge and patience I’ve acquired through this study abroad, memories of my friends, the pleasure of delicious food, and so forth, seems greater than any of those problems. Last September I heartily wished that the year would pass while I was sleeping; however, now I think that “anywhere is home once I get used to it”.