Martha Dudzinski

Martha is a University of Edinburgh MSc International and European Politics alumnus who graduated in 2014. She writes about her positive experience of studying at the university, along with the amount of fun she had in student societies and meeting other international students. Not only that, she recommends trying Whisky and Lemonade while you are in Edinburgh...

Studying at the School of Social and Political Science

Did you enjoy your programme?: My time in Edinburgh was absolutely fantastic! I loved the university, the campus between the Meadows and the Old Town, my curriculum and the faculty at SPS. After visiting the societies’ fair, I had found activities to cover all my hobbies and interests and was able to also make friends outside my studies. Overall, it was such an incredibly enjoyable experience to live and study in Edinburgh, I fell in love with the city and the people - the Scots are definitely the coolest folk on earth!
What were the highlights from your time at the School of Social and Political Science?: The curriculum covered, discussed and included way more perspectives, authors and discourses than I could have ever expected in my home country Germany. I loved my class on EU identity as well as IR, where I was able to not only repeat the classic theories but also gained insights into postcolonial and feminist IR theories.

On top of that, it was a very interesting experience to study International and European Politics in the year before the Scottish independence referendum and the Brexit referendum. Discussing these issues with a mix of Scottish, English, as well as international students and staff from all around the world, really gave me a lot of precious perspectives, ideas and insights to ponder when dealing with these issues.
Knowing what you do now, what would you say to your past self before starting the MSc?: DO IT!

University life

Were you involved in any student societies?

I LOVED my student societies! As a masters’ student, I would have mostly hung out with other SPS Masters’ students, a majority of which are internationals. But thanks to the abundant societies universe, I was able to quickly find Scottish and English friends, also undergrads from different fields. The amazing choice of societies provided me with an infrastructure that made it so easy for me to immediately find a way to dive into all my hobbies and interests: I volunteered with Oxfam, partied and went to Fox Lake and Loch Lomond with the wakeboarding society and discussed different topics with the Politics and IR society. Honestly, the societies at Edinburgh Uni are the best! They are a cornerstone of why I had such an incredible time there!

Where did you live while studying at Edinburgh?

I lived on Newington Road just south of the Meadows, which is a great path to walk through every day on the way to uni. I loved that Edinburgh is a city where so many distances can be walked, especially between campus and the Old Town - so if you can find and afford a place close to campus, I definitely recommend the area.

What was your University experience like, in just three words?!

SO. MUCH. FUN.

If you could recommend ONE thing to do in the first semester what would it be?

Order a whisky with lemonade in a pub. I never used to drink or like whisky, but everyone who tried it loved it. During my first week in Edinburgh, when I felt still new, lost and like coming may have been a mistake (as we all do in the beginning when we are in a new place), I went to a pub and asked the bartender what drink I should order. He poured me a Famous Grouse with lemonade and that was my go-to drink for the rest of my time in Edinburgh. I may or may not have found Famous Grouse in my local supermarket in Berlin, it may or may not be the only drink I have at home and I may or may not order it in bars whenever I have the opportunity. Seriously, just try it.

The City of Edinburgh

What were your favourite things to do in Edinburgh at the weekend?: I loved barbecuing and picnicking in the Meadows, going out at the different clubs around Cowgate and spending afternoons by the beachside in Portobello.

Whenever I had friends or family visit, my tours of the city would mostly consist of all the amazing food places that I would make them try - and a visit to the National Museum. It still baffles me that museums in the UK are free and how informative, fun and high-quality the expositions are. And, I mean, DOLLY THE SHEEP!