School of Social & Political Sciences

Author: Chen Zhenyu, MSc Global Economy student

My name is Chen Zhenyu, I come from Guangdong, China, and I am currently studying for an MSc in Global Economy at the University of Glasgow School of Social & Political Sciences.

If someone had told my younger self that one day I would study abroad in the UK, I would have laughed and shaken my head. If they said I would attend a top-100 QS university, I would have thought it was unrealistic. And if they added that I would study at a 500-year-old institution — the very university where Adam Smith once walked and studied, I would have believed they were telling someone else's story, not mine.

Yet here I am today, writing this from the University of Glasgow, hoping that my journey can offer a little encouragement to future students who are about to make their own life-changing decisions.

The idea of pursuing a master's degree abroad didn't come to me as a dream at first. In fact, it started with something very practical: the rising pressure of the job market back home. Companies were raising their educational requirements, and I knew that further study would open more opportunities. But practicality alone wasn't enough to push me across continents. What truly drove me was my interest in economics, a subject I've always believed is one of the most powerful tools to understand how the world works.

My experience in ESG-related projects strengthened this passion. I saw firsthand how global economic shifts, sustainability transitions, and financial systems are deeply interconnected. When I discovered the Global Economy program at the University of Glasgow, everything clicked. The curriculum covered the topics I cared about the most: international development, policy, institutions, sustainability, and global markets. It felt like the exact program I had been searching for, a place where my curiosity could grow.

What drew me to the University of Glasgow wasn't just the academics. It was the centuries-old history, the strong global ranking, the beautiful and safe city, and the incredibly diverse student community. I remember scrolling through photos of the campus, amazed by the Gothic architecture and the atmosphere that seemed both scholarly and magical, almost like Harry Potter's Hogwarts. Something inside me simply said, “This is the place.”

A collage of photos of the campus of the main campus of the University of Glasgow: It's like being in Hogwarts!

The journey to get here, however, was far from simple. I was juggling work, preparing for language exams, gathering visa documents, and creating endless to-do lists for packing. I also worried about every possible thing: the long-haul flight, the unfamiliar environment, speaking English all the time, cooking for myself, staying safe, and whether I could handle the academic workload. The night before departure, I barely slept because of the anxiety and excitement mixed together.

A collage of photos of my journey to Glasgow: Airport, plane and inside the flight.

But the moment I stepped out of the airport in Glasgow, something shifted. The cool air, so different from the heat of Guangdong, felt refreshing. The city was quiet in a calming way, the buildings carried a sense of history, and even the staff at my accommodation welcomed me with the warmest smiles. My first impressions were full of wonder: the unique student halls, the castle-like university buildings, the fully English lectures, and even the oversized supermarkets that felt like a maze, everything was new, strange, but exciting.

A collage of photos of the city of Glasgow, Scotland, UK.

Of course, challenges soon followed. The language barrier made me nervous in discussions, the food was unfamiliar, the constantly changing weather tested my mood, holiday seasons sometimes felt lonely, academic pressure was real, and socializing required more courage than I expected. There were moments when I doubted myself, wondering if I was strong enough.

But every small victory mattered. The first assignment I completed, the first time I confidently contributed to a class discussion, the first meal I successfully cooked, the first friendship I formed, each moment reminded me that I was learning, adapting, and growing in ways I never imagined before.

A collage of photos of my life in Glasgow: From food, to class, to submitting assignments.

If you're reading this because you're considering studying here, I want to tell you something sincerely: the journey is challenging, but it is worth it. The University of Glasgow won't make your life easier, but it will make you stronger. It will expand your worldview, deepen your academic curiosity, and push you to become a braver and more capable version of yourself.

And one day, you might find yourself standing in front of the Main Building, with the Scottish wind brushing past, looking up at the towers that have witnessed centuries of history, just like I did, and quietly whisper to yourself: “I never thought I could get here, but I did.”

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First published: 18 December 2025