Inspiration can come from the most unexpected places. For Nia Asante, a film student from the Chicago suburbs, it arrived in the form of a TikTok video that sparked the idea of making Scotland her home for the next four years of university. Nia shared her excitement about pursuing independence and the thrill of studying in a new country, even though it meant leaving behind family. She spoke to us about how friendships, rain showers, creativity, and great food have shaped her study abroad journey so far.
Could you tell us a little about yourself and your journey to Scotland?
In my senior year of high school, everyone around me was deciding what to do with their life and which college to apply to, but none of the U.S. universities appealed to me. My high school encouraged students to join a junior college and then transfer, but I knew that was not what I wanted.
The turning point was when my sister found a TikTok of an American girl studying in London. That’s when I realised that I could do a full, four-year degree abroad. My sister had studied abroad in Ireland for a semester and told me that Scotland had great universities too, so I began my research. When I looked up the best film schools in Scotland, the University of Stirling came up in the top results. I applied to other schools too, but Stirling was the first to send me an unconditional offer letter. I instantly knew I was going to Scotland.
Which state and city are you from, in the U.S. and what factors shaped your decision to study abroad?
I am from Romeoville, which is a small suburb, 40 minutes from Chicago. Everyone knows everyone there. I grew up with the same people from elementary school through high school. I think that environment played a big role in my decision. I didn’t want to take the ‘easy route’ or follow what everyone else was doing. I wanted something different, something more. So, when the opportunity from Stirling came my way, it felt like the push I needed. It was my chance to chart my own path and advocate for myself.
How much research did you do about Scotland before moving and what were your expectations?
The funniest part is that I didn’t know much about Scotland. I couldn’t even point Scotland out on a map at first! But once I got my offer, my family and I did a lot of research. My mom had videos of Scotland playing on the television every single day. We watched Stirling videos, campus tours, accommodation videos, and joined webinars. My mom loved the walkthrough videos. All the research made me feel familiar with Scotland, but it still felt different when I arrived and experienced the city in person. I had no idea what to expect, so everything surprised me, especially seeing a castle right in the city. Luckily, I was not the only international student here. People were from all over the world, which helped me feel comfortable much sooner.
Before you left, did you get a chance to speak to anyone from the university?
Yes, we attended webinars hosted by my department, and they were really helpful. My entire family joined the Zoom calls, asking questions and clearing any doubts we had. During the sessions, they explained the course modules, how the UK grading system works and how different it is from the U.S. system.
Chicago is known for its extreme climate. How did you find Scotland?
We get insanely hot summers and extreme winters with arctic winds in Chicago. In comparison, it felt great to experience Scotland’s climate. But I was still not prepared for the rain. It rains even when the sun is out. I love my umbrella, so I use it, and that helps me manage just fine.
How do you manage to stay connected with your family, given the time zone difference?
Honestly, I call my family every day, even with the six-hour time difference between Stirling and Chicago. I love a FaceTime call, and I’m always optimistic no matter where I am. I know I’ll see them soon, so staying connected feels easy. There were times when I felt homesick, but it usually happened when I was sick or feeling lonely. That’s when it really helps to have friends who are in a similar situation. A lot of my friends are international students too. We hang out, cook together, have movie nights, and do things that make us feel more at home.
How have you found your course so far?
At first, it was definitely an adjustment. Having lecturers and professors felt very different from high school in the U.S., where teachers work closely with you every day. University is much more independent. We are responsible for managing our time, keeping a schedule, and staying disciplined.
In my first year, some of my classes were online while others were in-person, so I was already used to the hybrid learning style. By my second year, we had more in person classes.
The first two years were mostly film theory, but by my third and fourth year, the course became a lot more hands‑on, using camera equipment, working on projects, and getting one‑on‑one guidance from professors. It became more collaborative, and I enjoyed it.
How did you find the social life in Stirling as an international student?
Fresher’s Week really helped. You get to meet new people and make friends, and the events make that so much easier. The society fairs were great too, I joined the film society, which organises fun socials like movie nights and bingo. Stirling only has one club, so you end up running into a lot of people there. But honestly, I prefer the bars in town. I catch up with friends there.
Did you try any traditional Scottish food?
My family warned me that UK food is not great. But I have found amazing places here. I love the Indian food. I feel like every Indian restaurant in Stirling is really good. The Thai and Chinese food are great too, and my favourite spot is a Vietnamese place called Hoi An Quan. Thai food especially reminds me of home, since my family loves it and my dad cooks it a lot. So, it is nice having great Thai food here. If you are craving smash burgers, Smokey's is the place to go. I’ve definitely become a Stirling food guide without even trying.
How do you manage studying and social life?
I like staying on campus after class to get my work done. Once I am back home, it is very hard for me to focus on my assignments. I have my favourite study spots, where I set up my space with snacks, tea and water before I start working. Many of our assignments are group activities, so we keep each other accountable and arrange catch-ups to get through them together. But we also make sure to take at least one day each week to hang out and unwind.
Have you had the opportunity to travel around in Scotland?
Yes. The first trip I took was to Budapest with my friends, and we had so much fun. We spent four days there, and the flights were very quick; it took us only two hours. I travelled to Brussels too. I love travelling, and living in Scotland lets me take these little day trips. I recently went to Ayrshire, and it was amazing. My friends and I are also planning our senior year trip to Peniche, Portugal.
How has studying film changed your perspective?
First year was all about film theory and classic cinema, we spent a lot of time watching movies and analysing them. By third and fourth year, we were creating actual work, building documentaries and learning to edit. It really pushed me out of my comfort zone. Our university also arranged for industry professionals to speak to us. We had people from the BBC, Channel 4 and Raise the Roof come to share their stories. By fourth year, we had a clear sense of the skills we needed and what the job market looked like.
What are your plans after graduation?
I’m leaning towards starting work and getting more hands-on experience. I would like to explore areas like advertisement production, social media marketing and brand management. I am open to opportunities across the UK, but I really like Scotland. It has a special place in my heart. I’m genuinely excited to work, I want to work in a professional space, have some stability and get a real sense of what ‘adulting’ feels like.
What advice would you give to future international students?
My advice to international students would be to put yourself out there. Talk to people. Don’t hesitate to go out of your way to create the experiences you want to have.
From the close-knit suburb of Chicago to a student community in Stirling, Nia’s story is a reminder that small moments can lead to big decisions, and those can be the best decisions you make. For anyone considering an exciting study abroad journey, her advice is simple and powerful: be brave, meet people, and build the experience you want.
Discover more about life as an international student in Scotland.
Chat with Couru
