Read through some tips from our American student ambassadors written for potential US students. 

Jenna's tips

Never, ever be afraid to ask for help or to ask questions. If you let pride stop you from asking you could miss something. We’re here to answer your questions so use us!

•Research as much as you can about the University and the city itself. Learn about the Societies or sports available, possible scholarships, housing options, and events put on by Edinburgh Napier. Try to get a feel for what you can do outside academics by looking up events or fun places in town or around the university. It helps to know a little bit about where you’re living before you move.

•Don’t assume that the US and the UK are the same because of what you’ve seen on TV or elsewhere. The culture shock can be really difficult if you go in expecting everything to be the same. Some things that you expect like how words are spelled, the different names for things, or driving on the opposite side of the road. However, there’s plenty you won’t see coming like the fact that nobody here uses a tumble dryer to dry their clothes, there’s only about five different types of cereal, and the fridges are tiny! Go in with a more open mind and do a little research to find out what other differences might pop up.

Corrine's tips

Packing light. You don't need to bring over heavy boots or umbrellas. You can get them all once you've settled in here.

•Be open! Say yes to every opportunity that may come up, especially if there's an event or society to join from Edinburgh Napier. 

•Be safe! Edinburgh is a great city with a huge nightlife but exploring a new city on your own is never a good idea. Know the emergency numbers for the UK as well. 

•Motivate yourself. Classes are different in the UK. You will spend most of your time outside the classroom and in independent study instead. Stay motivated, even through the bleak weather to complete your studies. You will get used to this pretty quickly.

Shelly's tips

It takes time to feel comfortable in your new surroundings so there might be some confusion or frustration up front but you'll figure it out.

•Teachers/lecturers/professors will offer what sound like suggestions or subtle/indirect comments, but are actually instructions for success and you should take them as almost mandatory things to do. There are also things they never tell you about that you're expected to do. It's like you have to decipher a code to know what you need to do for class sometimes. Pay attention, talk to your classmates, and dig deep so you don't miss anything.

•Make friends with people who know how the grading system works so they can tell you if you got a good grade or not. Otherwise it's pretty hard to tell because the grading system is so different here.