<p>I'm thinking in terms of weather. I kinda hate the cold. However, I've always had a fascination with Scotland, especially the Highlands. I've read a lot about the history, looked at as many pictures as I can get my hands on...Of course none of this prepares me for the cold. I live in Central Texas, and it is about 80 degrees Fahrenheit (about 27 Celsius) outside right now. Pretty typical weather, actually. The coldest it'll ever get, which is usually for about a week in December, is in the high 20s Fahrenheit (-4 to -1 Celsius). Now I don't see myself packing up and leaving because of the cold in Scotland, but I don't particularly want to be miserable, either. Is it a lost cause for someone like me to study abroad there, particularly in the far north?</p>
<p>I’ve only ever gone from living in a cold country (UK) to a hot country (Australia) and back again before, but you do get used to the temperature change. You also learn the techniques to deal with the cold - lots of layers! Don’t think about going without taking a good, thick coat, lots of jumpers, gloves, hat and so on. </p>
<p>This is the normally the coldest part of the year, and in Aberdeen it’s currently 5C, though it has been substantially colder than that - much of the country is currently under snow, and N Scotland has its own ski resort (Aviemore - not exactly world class but still enjoyable). In summer, you can expect it to get up into the high teens. If it gets into the mid-20s C then people will start sunbathing and walking around with as few clothes on as they can possibly manage without being done for indecent exposure. </p>
<p>Essentially, take lots of clothes, dress like the locals and try to come in September rather than January so that you have more chance to get used to the cold. If you do that, I don’t think it’s a lost cause at all.</p>
<p>Well it is up to you to decide whether cold weather is an absolute deal breaker for you. Obviously if you believe this would ruin the experience for you, don’t study abroad in Scotland. However, remember that millions of people live quite happily in much colder climates. You will feel the cold more than a native of course, but you will toughen up. Can’t promise you will come to love the cold though! Note that everyone has warm clothes, water proof closed-toe shoes and central heating. So you will be prepared. </p>
<p>I used to live in Australia, and when it’s frosty in Melbourne everyone moans like they’re going to die. This is because half of them don’t own a pair of socks, let alone proper winter wear. Plus many homes have no proper form of heat. There are summer days in the UK colder than a Melbourne winter and no-one really notices. They are prepared.</p>
<p>You now need to look up the British meaning of the word “jumper” as used by Boomting above.</p>
<p>Yes, “jumper” stumped me and my daughter at first. And I couldn’t find baskets because they are “hampers” when you order food, etc. : )</p>
<p>When my daughter moved in, her heat was iffy, she asked roommates about it and they said her room was the coolest but the last flat mate was from Texas and she thought it was a freezer at first. She adjusted, you can too. You have to love where you are, want to explore and learn there. My daughter, who stayed in most of the winter at home, already climbed Arthur’s Seat and visited a couple of beaches/castles. She layered, bundled up but had fun, even though she was cold at times. It was the desire to learn more and explore that overrode the knee-jerk reaction to burrow in her room. </p>
<p>If as Cupcake said, it would be miserable no matter what you were doing, well, that’s for you to decide.</p>
<p>What university are you thinking of attending, in Scotland? What courses? Isn’t that what is most important? </p>
<p>As to whether cold would be a deal-breaker, why don’t you take a few days in a cold state this winter? It costs less to go to Illinois in Feb than it does to go to Scotland. Walk around outside a lot and see whether you are so wretched you just could not manage half of a Scottish winter. Don’t forget to borrow some warm clothes!</p>
<p>Thanks for all of the responses guys! Thankfully I do know what a jumper is, being something of an addict of a decent amount of British television shows. I’ll definitely be packing or later buying an overabundance of warm clothes. If anything I’ll go over the top.</p>
<p>I plan on doing a year at the University of Edinburgh studying Linguistics if I can manage to get accepted into a program there. I’ve also heard good things about the University of St Andrews, so I’ll certainly look into that as well once I’m seriously looking around for where I want to go (I’m still in high school now). As for traveling up north this winter, I’m not sure I see that happening. However, I’ve got a few years. Perhaps I’ll end up visiting there eventually.</p>
<p>I’m at U.Edinburgh at the moment and I come from Durban, South Africa which has a warmer climate to Texas. </p>
<p>Don’t come in the Winter term if you can avoid it. Around this time (Jan/Feb) is definitely the worst. I got extremely sick this week because of it. Also, if you’re going to do Linguistics, definitely go for Edinburgh over St Andrews. Actually, Edinburgh over St Andrews no matter what. If you like history, you will love the city of Edinburgh. It’s pretty…unique, and very very old. </p>
<p>If you come Aug-Dec it’s definitely manageable.</p>
<p>I was hoping to do a full academic year, but perhaps I will just do the fall term…</p>
<p>Edinburgh sounds amazing. With any luck, it’ll be where I end up for my time abroad.</p>