“八正道”助你游学英伦之二——选择苏格兰的原因

　　The Eight Fold Path to Educational Enlightenment

　　Step 2: Why should I study in Scotland?

　　The tradition of Scottish universities is second to none. I am sureyou know the illustrious St. Andrews University, home of golf, and more recently, the place where Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge studied and met.

　　British history is steeped in conflict. Scotland and the rest of the UK,although united under one flag, do operate and function in different ways, and this is no more obvious than in their approaches to Higher Education. Scotland has its own parliament and its own autonomy when making decisions on educational policy. Following this, Scottish universities generally have courses a year longer (typically 4 years) than their counterparts elsewhere in the UK. One unique aspect of attending the ancient universities of Scotland, is that on completion of your 4 years, you will graduate as a Master of the Arts rather than a Bachelor.

　　Now being a Ferguson…..as in the clan, my loyalties are somewhat torn: yes I do love Scotland, but I do dislike their vigour for devolution. After all, as a nation of six million people (equivalent to the population of Wuxi) the Scots have a pretty good deal, with a better health care system, more freedom than England delivers to itself, and a great education system. Their is no love lost between the the Scots and English, although in my experience, the English care little, and it is more a show of bravado for most Scots: the reality is that we have a fairly harmonious agreement. Time will prove to test this assumption, as the Scottish have a referendum (vote) next year. They will be asked the question: Should Scotland be an independent country? Yes or No. It is that simple, and I imagine that the United Kingdom will remain united!

　　Scotland retains a feeling where academia is relevant, traditional, and intellectual prowess runs through the dark, narrow cobbled streets of Edinburgh's old town. Echoes of the past, reverberate from the castle walls. Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen became the home the intellectual movement known as the Scottish Enlightenment. Eighteenth century Scotland was in its 'Golden Age', where great thinkers, powerhouses of their time, the likes of David Hume and Adam Smith sought to understand the natural world, the human mind and our relationship to global economics. Essentially developing ideas that have shaped the modern world. In strong contrast to this, for the lovers of nature amongst you, the highland of Scotland offer some of the finest vistas, lochs and lakes anywhere in the world, a place of outstanding natural beauty.

　　Above all, anybody considering a Scottish university must be weary of the Scottish people themselves! In order to survive living amongst the Scots, often regarded as a miserable bunch, you must be prepared for a complete lack of humour at times. And never become embroiled in the intense political cauldron that surrounds football. Never ever refer to a Scotsman in a kilt to be wearing a skirt, as this will deeply offend the masculine sensibility of the Scots, as will referring to a Scottish person as English! Which more than likely result in immediate death!