GLASGOW, Scotland – The first time students in Northeastern University’s N.U.in program arrive at the University of Glasgow, many are struck by the stunning, gothic revival architecture. The spires, arches and aged stone give the campus a cinematic look.
“It looks like Hogwarts,” said Maya Turlapaty, a first-year business administration student who spent her first semester abroad at the university. “I really wanted to be at a more established, larger school, and Scotland was really the only location that offered that.”
A City Steeped in History and Culture
Founded in 1451, the University of Glasgow is one of the oldest universities in the English-speaking world. Today, it serves around 29,000 undergraduates in the heart of Scotland’s most populous city.
The school’s location offers students immediate access to Glasgow’s vibrant city center, just an eight-minute drive from campus. Museums, the Glasgow Botanic Gardens, local football matches at Celtic Park, and a renowned arts and music scene keep the city lively and engaging year-round.
Applying to Glasgow
As part of Northeastern’s N.U.in program, students are offered international locations like Paris, Prague, Ireland — and Scotland.
Turlapaty, drawn to Glasgow’s academic rigor and size, completed the school’s General Application to secure formal enrollment. Fortunately, her stay didn’t require a visa.
“Since we were only there for four months, I didn’t have to apply for a visa at all, which was really nice,” she said.
She also opted into the group flight with other Northeastern students — a decision that helped her quickly form connections.
Life at Kelvinhaugh Hall
All N.U.in participants lived at Kelvinhaugh Street Residence, about a 20-minute walk from the university campus. Each flat featured:
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Five individual en-suite bedrooms
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A shared kitchen
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A communal lounge space
“We all get our own individual rooms, which is really nice,” Turlapaty said.
Roommates were chosen through social media — mostly Instagram — though she noted many of her peers didn’t pre-select roommates and still had a positive experience.
In contrast to many U.S. schools, UK universities typically don’t offer dining halls. Students instead cooked their own meals using cookware provided by the university.
Building a Community Abroad
The transition to Scottish life was made easier by N.U.in coordinators, who organized tours and cultural activities to help students settle in.
Trips included:
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An excursion to Loch Ness, known for its legendary monster and scenic trails
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Monthly “family dinners” organized in smaller student groups
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Guided campus and city walking tours during the first week
“Within the first few months, we were taken on some great trips,” Turlapaty recalled. “It really helped us bond.”
Academic Differences: Fewer Assignments, Higher Stakes
The academic culture in the UK differs significantly from the U.S. Students often complete just a few assignments before taking high-stakes final exams.
“The courses within Glasgow… they were pretty difficult,” Turlapaty said. “You’d have finals worth like 70% of your grade — maybe two or three assignments in the entire term.”
The pressure of such weighting was an adjustment. “I didn’t love their system too, too much,” she admitted.
Weekend Wanderlust
With Glasgow as a home base, many students used their weekends to travel across Europe.
Turlapaty visited London and Copenhagen and noted that travel was common among her peers.
“I know a lot of people actually that would miss like two or three weeks of school just to travel around,” she said with a laugh.
Still, she found plenty to love in Glasgow itself.
“[Glasgow] really had a lot to offer in the social scene,” she said. “It was easy to stay local and still have a great time.”
