Living in Glasgow has been an adjustment. Not in a bad way really, I moved for the weather, which, as a Mediterranean person, seems to shock a bunch of people because:

  1. The sun
  2. The beaches
  3. The unending availability of vitamin D

But then again, Glasgow has something my country does not.

I'm kidding (ish). But seriously, Scotland may not be the biggest country in the world, but compared to my home country, this great green place is the wide-open spaces and rolling hills I've dreamed off since I first decided to apply for Masters programmes overseas.

For those of you who don't know me, my name is Matt. I graduated as a Doctor of Medicine and Surgery from the University of Malta, and I am now pursuing a Masters in Global Health right here at the University of Glasgow.

As a wide-eyed student soaking up every bit of Scottish countryside and the University's towering spires, I am still *very much* locked into the theatre and pomp that is the dark academia aesthetic of the University of Glasgow, and the student life that comes along with it.

Is it obnoxious? Probably. 

Do I love it? The incessant amount of content pouring into my Instagram stories would be enough to answer that, I think.

So, here's a little look at what I get up to week-on-week, in between classes, voluntary work, socialising, trekking and meandering the mild panic of millenial dating in a foreign country.

Glasgow: a walkable city

My main goal on arriving here was to do as much as I could to get around without a car, and when in need, use public transportation. I'm happy to say I've managed to completely do without a car and rarely use the bus or the subway. I have managed to work up a good routine every morning and evening, walking from the city centre to the West End. 

The walk itself is not too long but winds through many of Glasgow's neighbourhoods. From the morning bustle of Buchanan Street, to the milling students around the Royal Conservatoire and Glasgow School of Art in Garnethill, to the gleaming townhouses of the Woodlands and Park Terrace, all the way into the gorgeous spread of Kelvingrove Park, with the University of Glasgow guarding sentinel over it all like a watchful owl. 

This is by far one of the easiest walks to uni, but also one of my favourites - watching the West End come to life every day, magpies and songbirds flitting through the crip air of the park, grey squirrels leaping from tree to tree, and dogs chasing tennis balls while weaving through the many students making their way to Gilmorehill.

Campus and student life

I try to make it a point to arrive at the campus early - I can't help but get a few extra glimpses of some new part of the University - just last week, I found a new path leading down from the south front directly into Kelvin Way. I usually try to walk through Professors' Square and the wildflower path, before grabbing a quick cup of tea before class. If I have enough time, I head off into the West Quad and wander there for a few minutes. 

It also helps that I've structured my timetable with classes to allow for equal academic and extracurricular pursuits. As a Global Health student, now having chosen my electives, most of my classes are spread between Monday and Wednesdays from the late morning to tea-time. 

 On Mondays, I head to the farthest part of the University at the St Andrews Building for my Health and Culture class, before speeding up off to the south front for my Understanding Health Policy class. On Tuesdays, I head to the top of Bute Gardens for our weekly Global Health scrum, possibly my favourite time to catch up with my core coursemates, addressing concerns with our convenors, and plan our upcoming trip to Geneva as part of our programme. On Wednesdays, I have a three-hour lecture at the School of Health & Wellbeing, close to Byres Road. If we finish early, I try to nip into Waterstones for a chai, and to browse books for my ever-growing TBR list. 

On Thursdays and Fridays, I tend to my housekeeping and admin, chores, groceries, and of course: *the library*. You'll usually find me in the Postgraduate Study Hall on the fifth floor, although if I really want to dive into some deep reading, I venture up to the topmost floor for absolute silence. Plus, the views up there are great, so you know: vibes. 

Cooking

Glasgow's food scene is pretty great, and as a vegetarian with a bunch of food allergies, I've never felt safer grabbing dinner. That being said, I am Mediterranean, so I feel that cooking has been ingrained into my pysche, and thus I rarely eat out. 

With a handy notes app chock full of my favourite recipes (and a worrying number of open tabe in both my phone and laptop browsers), I make it a point to cook most, if not, all my meals for the week. Think warm ricotta pias, pasta dishes, lentil shakshuka, veggie curries, vegan stir fries, and of course, loads of baking. Benefits of being my friend: I lowkey have created the ultimate vegan PB&J brownies recipe. 

 

Work, volunteering and course representative duties

Of course, student life for me isn't just about attending classes and writing up assignments. I am actively working across various areas with the University of Glasgow. I currently service as a Student Ambassador and Content Creator with External Relations, SPS Student Ambassador and SPS Cultural Ambassador. Depending on the day, this may involve writing up blogs, sending over photos and video content, or showing prospective students and their families around the University grounds. 

Aside from work, I also work in many activist circles back home in Malta. I currently serve on the baord of the National Youth Council of Malta as the Commissioner for the Youth Community. I also work as an EU Climate Pact Ambassador, where I make fun and short but informative Reels and TikToks about climate action, and I just got elected to the board of the Youth Health Organisation. In these many capacities, I sometimes need to jet off for meetings or summits, representing the various organisations. Most recently, I represented the Youth Council and Youth Health Organisation in Berlin at the World Health Summit. 

Beyond these international roles, I also serve as the course representative for MSc Global Health. Every week, I check up on available events, seminars and career fairs that my coursemates may find useful, I check up on feedback forms, and review any class concerns. I also set up twice-weekly meetups towards the end of each semester, allowing us a safe space to discuss assignments and seminars and hold each other accountable to writing tasks. Right now, I'm actively compiling class feedback ahead of the second Staff-Student Liasion Committee, where I'll be presenting updates about Global Health to the School of Social & Political Sciences.

Midweek social life

Glasgow is teeming with activity, whcih means I do, in fact, venture beyond the high walls of the University. Each week, especially in this second semester, our class tries to have at least one informal meetup in a pub or bar either in the West End, City Centre or the East End. Depending on whether we have class or not, this tends to go on well into the night, and allows us the chance to really unwind and have fun outside the pressures of the University. 

 

Around special ocassions, birthdays or big holidays, we also meet up at each other's homes. My favourite so far was the Christmas Potluck we held over at our convenor's house - I obviously baked for this, and brought over a traditional broad bean and ricotta pia, and a kejk ta' San Martin (which is a spiced dried fruit cake, usually baked around November and Christmastime). 

Of course, there's also the society meetups - where possible, I try my best to keep up with the SPS meetups, class rep social mixers, ambassador meetups, writing and worldbuilding meetups and Queer Society hangouts. 

Mental health and family time

As someone with chronic mental health conditions, I also have made it a point to take care of myself in the middle of all of this. Every two weeks, I have a one-hour check-in with a support officer,t hanks to a service offered by the University itself, where I get to discuss any current issues and also explore methods of mindfulness, course management and to ensure I keep approaching student life in the best way I can. 

I also aim to have weekly calls with my family back home - muhc as I like to pretend otherwise, I do miss the familiarity of being able to call up friends and family and being able to pop over on a whim. While I'm lucky enough to still be able to do that over here, it's not quite the same experience, and not having family around, especially in more trying times, stings. The calls, at least, offer a respite from it all and helps me keep up with any new developments from back home.

Weekends and time with friends

Almost burning myself out in the first semester, I have become pretty good at keeping my weekends free for time off. A good balance will help ensure your university life will not only be successful and enjoyable, but a fulfilling one.

On most weekends, I check in with my local group of friends. I'm incredibly grateful for the fact I have a network of Maltese friends who already live here, with made it very easy to integrate, even before I'd fully moved up to Glasgow.

On Saturdays you would usually find me hiking out and about with friends (and it doesn't hurt they're always up for a ride or train out somewhere spectacular), and after a good few solid hours of trekking, we usually head back for a warm meal and a movie night (or to theoriese about the latest conspiracy on Severance). 

 

On Sundays, we usually walk around the Southside, eating as many fresh pastries from as many cafes as possible. All the whole, sipping on freshly roasted coffees and chai around Queen's Park as we watch the swans glide across the duck pond, and the many joggers racing past en masse, rounding off the week. 

All photos in this blog are attributed to Matthew Baldacchino

First published: 5 March 2025

<< Hear from our students