School of Social & Environmental Sustainability

Cade's Story

When deciding where to study Environmental Science & Sustainability, Cade discovered the University of Glasgow’s School of Social & Environmental Sustainability. Originally from Texas in the United States, he chose the programme for its strong reputation, accreditation, and cost effectiveness compared to US universities. Now in his third year, he’s making the most of the opportunities his programme has to offer. 

“I’ve been passionate about protecting the environment since I was very young. I chose this programme because it is really highly rated and accredited,  and was also much more cost effective for me due to the high university prices in the US. My programme also offers the opportunity to study abroad for a year, and there’s loads of different partner institutions across the world to choose from.” 

His programme offers the chance to study abroad for either a semester or a year, a prospect that opened up a world of possibilities for him. For his exchange, Cade headed to the University of Calgary in Canada. 

“I chose the University of Calgary for my study abroad year because it offered a wide range of classes and electives, and being able to drive around and explore the area was a huge bonus. It was an exciting way to broaden my perspective both inside and outside the classroom.” 

Encouraged by his lecturer, Dr Steven Gillespie, Cade was excited to apply for this new experience, even though the concept of studying abroad felt a bit unusual after already moving to Scotland. 

“I learned a great deal about independence and developed a wider perspective on my degree through the classes there. I took a Sound Recording class as an elective, in which we discussed hydrophones. This greatly interested me as bioacoustics is a critical part of understanding animals and the impacts of sound on them, helping guide conservation efforts.” 

The application process was at times challenging for Cade, but support from his lecturers and the staff at Dumfries Campus made all the difference. 

“Making a good application and finding funding can be difficult, but my lecturers and the staff at Dumfries Campus were there to help me. VISAs are also quite frustrating, and prospective study abroad students must be prepared for that. But that is part of the experience, and I would rather have had to deal with all that than not as it taught me perseverance.” 

After returning from his year abroad, Cade felt more experienced, mature, and confident, and hopes fellow students on his programme apply for this opportunity. 

“I would overall recommend study abroad to other students as it was an unforgettable experience, and I learned a great deal that is really quite hard to put into words. I made friends from across the world and gained a better understanding of cultures. If you have the opportunity to apply – go for it!”