Every year before the Adult education life, I usually  chose a new country to visit on my vacation days. But life after Adult education has humbled me finance wise (story for another day maybe) so I decided to do birthday celebration a tad different. Resume exploring new places.

 

One of those days in church when you are asked to turn to your neighbour and introduce yourselves, my seat partner happened to be a tour guide who worked for Rabbies Tour Company  and he recommended their one day tour to St Andrews and the Fishing Villages.

Thanks Graham

This is Eric who was our Driver/Tour Guide. He was born in one of the towns in the Kingdom of fife. He mentioned the town but I was busy replying to birthday message. #error

So we kicked off from the city of Edinburgh of course.

I have passed by this Castle a thousand and one times but I didn’t know  the castle stands upon the plug of an extinct volcano, which is estimated to have risen about 350 million years ago during the lower Carboniferous period.

A bit of Caveat – My photography skills did not do justice to the beautiful places. Best you see them yourself.

So on we went through the Forth bridge. It is considered as a symbol of Scotland, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

There is a new one known as the Queensferry crossing, an architectural masterpiece!

I took this picture off Google.  But this is what it looks like. 

We passed by a number of towns with Eric sharing some historical facts about each of them. Our first picture taking stop was in the Fishing town of Anstruther, a small coastal resort town. Very Popular for  its award-winning fish and chips.

It was a 30 mins stop and I was on the phone a lot instead of enjoying the sights and taking pictures. I need to go back there really.

Here is a picture off google to give you an idea of what this beautiful and serene place looks like.

Off we went through more towns and a 3 hour stop in St Andrews!

The Cathedral of St Andrew (often referred to as St Andrews Cathedral) is a ruined Roman Catholic cathedral in St Andrews. It was built in 1158 and became the centre of the Medieval Catholic Church in Scotland.

 

In June 1559 during the reformation, a Protestant mob incited by the preaching of John Knox ransacked the Cathedral, the interior of the building was destroyed. The Cathedral fell into decline following the attack and became a source of building material for the town. By 1561 it had been abandoned and left to fall into ruin

After walking for a bit, I stumbled on this Gelato parlour, but fiftfam said no so I walked on. I went to see other places and walked back  the same way. My birthday said you only celebrate your birth once a year plus YOLO! so  in I went. Glad I did.

Its an  100 years and four generations store that was established in 1908, by Bennett Jannetta. 2019 here I am having a taste from many years ago. It was realllllllly good.

Below is St Andrews University. The third oldest university in the English-speaking world and the oldest in Scotland. According to some rankings, it is ranked as the third best university in the United Kingdom, plus this is the University Prince William and Kate Middleton met.

I can almost guess why the royal choose this school, well at least one of the reasons. The average Scot is generally not overly excited about the Royals. While they respect them and what they stand for, they scots man/woman would treat them as normal when walking on the street.

Eric said the same thing.

As you can imagine it is a town  highly populated by students  but they were on the summer  break,  it was pretty much packed with tourists like myself.

The town Center or if you may, the High Street…….well thats a stretch but beautiful place still.

For golfers this place is the pinnacle of a visit to St Andrews.

St Andrews Links is regarded as the “Home of Golf”. It has one of the oldest courses in the world, where the game has been played since the 15th century.

There are seven public golf courses; the Balgove, Eden, Jubilee, Strathtyrum, New, the Old Course (which is widely considered one of the finest, and certainly the most famous and traditional course in the world), and The Castle Course, sited on the cliffs a mile to the east of St Andrews. Again my picture taking skills does not do justice to it.

PS – Almost every town in Scotland has a golf course.

I took this picture off Google so you have a better appreciation of it.

The golf course is just by the coast line and right beside a small beach. I went on one of the rocks to take these pictures .

I sent my mom the picture below and she said why I was looking like someone who is looking unto the heavens for help. She is correct though, I was.

Our last stop was in Falkland. A very small village with a population size of less than 2,000.

 

This palace in Falkland has some very interesting story about its Queen (Mary Queen of Scots) from many years ago. Summary – A beautiful girl child born and had to be raised in France where she got married and widowed, came back to Falkland married an English Lord who was murdered supposedly by her lover aka her bodyguard.

She married the bodyguard a month after her husband’s death and she was arrested on the grounds of murder. After many months/years in jail she was eventually beheaded.

Their homes look very story book like with an overlooking view of the hills. Beautiful.

I would definitely do this again.

If you find yourself in this side of the world, let’s do this together, it would be much more fun in the company of others.

So did you get my birthday present yet?   You still got a chance. Please send this link (https://ournuptialchest.com/) to that bride and groom that has told you about their wedding.

If you still want to gift me a personal item, I have a wish list. Just ask me for it

My headline is not a click bait. I truly didn’t.

A few months ago I finished my last paper for my MBA program.  O boy! adult education is truly not for small children. Its not really about the school work, its about juggling life’s commitments while studying. All ye my friends who have gone through this and didn’t give me the fine details, I am watching you in massive 3D. #youknowthyselves

A bit of background story. I got an opportunity to go back to school because 30percentclub gave me the chance to take this time out, sponsoring my Tuition 100% for school inclusive of my 2 months all expense exchange studying from the Dubai campus during the year long program. 30percentclub sponsors ladies across the globe into various business schools. As far as I know, somehow I happened to be the first African they have sponsored.  See the list of schools they work with here.

Dubai Night out.

But I would do it again if given the chance! (without the school work of course, lol)

They discuss the group task, I take the “Usfie”. Great Teamwork! 

Sometimes in class, we stop listening and take selfies  #noteverytimeserious

In the midst of the stress, was one of the best experiences, daily interaction with individuals who represent at least one nation in the various continents of the world. I had the privilege to be invited to some of their homes and  interact with their families.

Amber and I decided to discuss how to take over the world under a table and yes at a halloween party……lol.

 

The first child I have met who does not question you when you say NO! Well done mama…

Charlie’s Angels. Beautiful In and Out.

I am walking away from this experience with  many lessons but I would share my top 5:

1. You would think given my exposure I should not be carried away with the definition of people based on what the news dictates.  I am ashamed to say my knowledge of the men from the middle east has been what the media taught me over the years. But in the last one year three men from the middle east (and north Africa) from three different nations turned everything I knew upside down. These men were respectful, accommodating of others view and culture while maintaining/expressing their opinion, no airs just plain humility in most cases.  Is there some truth in what the media presents? Yes but  a few individuals can not in anyway explain the rest of the country!

My lesson: Interact with people first hand before you decide what they are.

Half of my United Nations Class. A very diverse mix.

2. Define people as individuals not by the country they are from aka Stereotyping: The country you come from is only a form of identification, explains your culture and sometimes your perspective  to life. It does not define you. If you happen to meet a nasty individual it has nothing to do with their country of origin, that Individual is Nasty not everyone from that country. Se fini.

My number 1 lesson buttresses this. I know better now to meet people and get to KNOW them.

The Formular 1 Team. Thats my story and I am sticking to it!

3. Have individuals within your network that would call out your nonsense: Towards the end of the course I did something quite unlike me. I was in the mood of “I don’t have time for nonsense today”.  Looking back now, what I had done didn’t show any maturity really. But while everyone hailed me on and called me bold, one person waited two weeks after to call me out during a private conversation and give me a very Polite tongue lashing. (I think this stuck because it was polite yet firm)

Off shoot of the above: Before you respond to a certain situation, spare a few seconds to think about the message you are sending to the witnesses.  My polite tongue lasher said to me “while I understand the reason for your action, the message you sent  to all of us was your unwillingness to work with a diverse, different characters  & Multicultural team”. Like my Nigerian peeps would say “the thing pain me”.

Somehow I think this was my greatest lesson.

I was a clothing  model for a charity event. lawd! Somebody help me be size 12!

4. Every interaction with others is an  opportunity to build long term relationship. I knew this from years ago but somehow my experience in the last one year buttressed this lesson. 80% of the time, to make that major stride in business, career etc we need the network of people we know or persons that know us. Make every interaction with others count, make it an opportunity to leave a positive impact.

Another offshoot – Respect everyone! Not just the people in authority, I am talking about everyone including the bus driver, the cleaners, the handyman etc. I look back now and I realise some of the greatest help I got was from individuals who held no “important” position.

Girls day out!

Nigeria and Taiwan

5. Don’t spend too much time focusing on the things that didn’t go right. My experience was not rosy, people let me down, a number of  unfulfilled promise etc but guess what? I choose to leave the Adult Education experience remembering only good stuff and good people.

Final note – Adult education is really not about being the best student in class (if you choose to be there in person), it’s a time to build a network across nations within and outside your class. If you decide to go on an adult education journey, 50% of your time should be for school the remaining 50 for exploring, creating new experiences and meeting new people. Not sure I did so well with the 50% outside of class.

I am grateful for the experience. I am grateful for the interaction and more importantly I am grateful for the new set of individuals I can call friends.

 

What next? Yep you guessed right, I would be focusing on building Our Nuptial Chest and the next level of my career in the digital space. #Wekeepmoving!

 

 

You are here so let me tell you about the Cash Gift Registry for newlyweds.

Our Nuptial  chest  is helping every couple receive cash gifts from their friends/family. If you are getting married or know someone who is, then send  them over to OurNuptialChest!

 

Yeah I know I am supposed to be sharing  my digital knowledge or expertise here.  But this is a “guide” I wish I had a few months ago. Hopefully this would help someone.

Towards the end of Last year I took on the opportunity to take a year out for what I call “adult education”.  Why? I needed a break, career progress demanded it plus there was a big  element of awoof in the matter (I would share details one day.  Maybe).

So I found myself in the city quoted to be  the fastest-growing digital companies and one of the few UK cities outside London that has created technology companies with valuations in excess of $1 billion (£677 million) – EDINBURGH in Scotland. Yeah yeah I know, no digital talk. But hey cant help it. lol

Lets deal with the easy stuff:

Edinburgh is BEAUTIFUL! If you appreciate, historic structures,  landscapes and nature, you would love it.

Like a city set on the hill.

Dean Village.

 

Transport: Its the UK (one of the  best when it comes to public transport in my opinion), know the bus numbers for the area you are going, use google maps, or download the local bus company app ( i don’t use this, no need to clutter my phone). If you plan on moving here to make it your city of home permanently, use the public transport for a bit before you buy a car. You know routes better. My opinion anyway.

Shopping for food: If you are a student, Lidl, ASDA, Aldi and in some cases Pound store are very ideal for your student pocket.

If money is not your problem then  Tesco, Sainsbury, M&S or Waitrose are waiting you.#wink.  There is also  option of the American wholesale store, Costco. If you are going for this option I assuming you have nothing less than 1,000 pounds as living expenses (excluding rent and bills) Not like I expect you to spend all 1k pounds on food. Common!

Please don’t get me wrong, LIDL,ASDA,Aldi is not for the poor. My point is keep your cost down.

Shopping for cloths: Before you read this and be thinking this girl is so cheap, you are OYO. There is no need to form, no one sends you. Respect your pocket and do according to what you can afford.  The big brands, the not so big brands, the not big at all brands, the thrift shops  and the Swap shops are available. Do you! Nuff said. Everything you need is on Princes street, Leith Walk, Nicholson Street/Square, Gyle Center, The Livingston Shopping Center .

PS – Please don’t do that “converting every pound to Naira” before you buy stuff. No point. You are here so only compare prices on the bases of the market realities in the UK

Weather:  In the winter it is colddddd. No, thats not correct, it is freeeeeeezing! Actually its cold all year round except for those few weeks in the summer or Autumn when we get some sun.

If you see an European wearing 2 sets of clothing to keep warm, wear 4. You are Nigerian, don’t  form.  But the Scots have not died (at least from the cold), I have not died, you would not die. Respect yourself and keep warm, you would be fine.

Went on a tour of the highlands meaning mountains and mountains. Beautiful but COLD!

See this picture below?I was still not warm enough. Don’t be deceived by the sun you see.

 

This is a view from a tourist spot called Arthur’s seat. You would climb mountain to get here o. But the view is worth the calories you would burn and the pain on your way up.

The difficult stuff?

Making friends: I remember I was in a conversation with a friend of mine who lives in the UK just before leaving for school and she asked if I knew anyone in Edinburgh and I said “not a soul”. She screamed! But I dust am and said I can do “bad” all by myself.  Na so.  The first four months, O boy!  Thats not saying there is no one to hangout with; there are classmates, Hall Mates, School mates etc  and you hangout every once in a while but as a mature student, you are generally are set in your way and you tend to look for people of like minds.

I am not your totally outgoing person but I had promised myself to make new friends (one very important goal for this career time out), be more approachable (my friends tell me I have a don’t talk to me facial expression), be more outgoing and have my own group of friends by month two. Yimu to me.

The very few Nigerians, ( and I mean very few, infact the Africans you come across in general can be numbered on your finger tips) who I have come across are not exactly trying to welcome you. Someone who has been living here for over 3 years says its like a clique he has been trying to break into. To be honest I don’t know how true this is because I have not tried to be part of the “crew”.

Its taken me eight months (I have been in and out for extended periods in those months. Don’t ask me questions of where I have  been. Focus on the topic) but  I think I am beginning to find my feet:

• KWISA – Group set up for causes of the African women by a set of Kenyan women. Great stuff cos you meet women and ladies from various African countries. https://www.facebook.com/kwisauk/. You should join them or at least attend the workshops. (Google Nigerians in Edinburgh and comment below what you find. #Itireformypeople. SMH)
• My classmate told me about this: https://www.meetup.com/. Check it out and pick your group of interest. I would recommend this group: https://www.meetup.com/EdiSocNet/. Very international. Everyone and everybody from diverse countries mostly made up of professionals and mature students meet up every Friday to just network. Very nice. I love it.
• 
• If you are here for school, there is usually an organised tour for all international students. Join one trip at least. You make new friends outside your area of study. If you are here for work, sorry I don’t know how to help you. hehehehehe. (pointer 2 above is more for you actually)
• Now this is dual purpose advice. If you plan to work with your 20 hours international student work allowance, as soon as you settle down (as in ASAP) go here and look for volunteer work in your area of  interest. Loads of options to choose from. Two reasons, you need the local  (or UK) work experience to get roles and more importantly you meet people. Summary – hit the ground running.
• Ask your friends if they  know anyone in Edinburgh and ask them to introduce you. At least your friends are your like minds and should sort you out with same.
• Generally speaking, plan to be very comfortable and happy in your own company. You would be alone alot, at least for the first few weeks/months. Its good for you really, you have more time to think through major decisions and create things.

Entertainment: Aside from your usual – Cinemas, Bowling alley, Fast foods, restaurants, a couple of themed lounges (I particularly like the Jazz and Mexican themed lounges)  etc,  for every two to three blocks there is a pub. Its Scotland. I still cant understand it. 

The Scots and their alcohol.

Hair: For the ladies, make I no lie I am still on the search on this matter. There are salons, but seeing as they are charging 70 quid for crotchet (yes the same crotchet o, the very simple crochet you and I know), my wigs have come to rescue me. So you have three options:

• If your moving here is still a few months away go and learn from the salon down the road. Not every Saturday wedding, sometimes hair apprentice work. lol.
• Variety of wig styles to the rescue.  Have as much as you can carry.
• Youtube is your friend. Begin to practice how to make your own hair now. Don’t be like Anu.

Religious gathering: I am a christian. So I tried a widely known Nigerian church the second Sunday I arrived (don’t why I did o, I just say make I try). I have not gone back and I don’t plan to go back. Nothing wrong with it but lets just say there was no difference between being in Nigeria and Edinburgh. If you need the feel of home every week and not open to a multinational setting in the place of worship, this is for you.

I googled Interdenominational church in Edinburgh  and found this https://destinyedinburgh.com/. There are four centers but I choose the closest to me. Very international, loads of people from various countries (yeah some of my country people dey here). Church members are mostly warm and friendly people. Great word, short and sweet services, great worship. What more do you need? #wink.

If you want to interact more, might be good idea to serve in one of the units in church.

I  hear there is a Hillsong church here. But its about an hour from me -too far and service starts at 11.30 – too late.

Living: The Scots are nice people, generally speaking at least. I have had bad experiences one or two times but nothing to tear my hair out on. You would always find those “rubbish” human beings in every city/country. Don’t dwell on it. Keep moving.

Housing: I live on campus so I cant say too much. But from general convo with classmates, plan for about 600-700pounds for a good one bedroom (including bills). Check here  and here for options.

I found my way back to Edinburgh after 5 months but it took series of activities that no one exactly tells you about. Would try to do some comprehensive list someday.

 

Thats all folks, for now. If I find new stuff that would be useful for you, I would share. You can ask me questions if any.

If you are in Edinburgh and reading this, nawa for you o.#sideeye. Biko send me a message on Facebook, lets see a movie together or something. (see I am changing. lol)

UPDATE (2019): After I left the campus, I had serious issues with finding accommodation. So while Edinburgh is a great place to live, it has a problem of demand and supply in the area of housing. I found myself  without a place to live for 2 weeks (had to stay at an Airbnb home), i finally got a place in Rosyth, Fife. A very small and quiet town about 19miles from Edinburgh. Beautiful town if you love landscape. but no entertainment except one or two pubs. On the buses it took me about 50mins into the city center but 18mins if you are driving.

UPDATE (2020): I have settled in to some extent (I think – it can never be as good as home really) and I have found a number of stores for my African food supplies.

This one http://uwagboefoods.com/ is my favourite. Budget friendly and you get almost everything you need for that naija meal you are just craving for. Plus the owner goes out of his way to deliver to your home if you need home delivery at no extra cost. Their address : 193 Gorgie Rd Edinburgh EH11 1TT

 

You are here so let me tell you about the Cash Gift Registry for newlyweds.

Our Nuptial  chest  is helping every couple receive cash gifts from their friends/family. If you are getting married or know someone who is, then send  them over to OurNuptialChest!

 

So where do i start?

The beginning of course! My bio has done the honors of detailing my sojourn into the interesting world of digital. I think it is safe just like the average man, the word digital to me before 2014 meant social, facebook, twitter, Instagram, Youtube………. How wrong was I.

So how did i get here? I have always known i would grow my career in an environment where there is a daily need for mental stimulation, creativity and a non-stop continuous dose of innovation. No offense to my previous employers but the work environment applauded more physical work than mentally stimulating achievements. Lets blame the economic environment they have found them self in.  Seven years later, with a sizable number of skills and expertise under my belt, it was time to move on (way past time actually).

The opportunity to jump ship came during a conversation with a seasoned digital senior executive who told me about an opening in a digital media organization ( Mobile Advertising, Mobile VAS and Digital Marketing business units under one roof) and his confidence that I would fit perfectly into the role –  leading the digital marketing business unit. Opportunity met with preparedness and here i found myself.

 

Who am I kidding , I was Sacred big time! Who isn’t, when facing new challenges?

The initial culture shock didn’t come from realizing the depth  and intricacies of the digital eco-system especially with the opportunities it can deliver but from the habit being in a meeting and having alot of  deliverables wore off after the first weeks. The space was (and still is) fast evolving, catching up and staying ahead was the only way to go. 5 months into the new challenging role, more exciting challenges was delivered to me- lead the entire business team across the various business units.

I loved it and still loving it.

The complimentary relationship across these businesses with focus on the African Market (Mobile Advertising, Mobile VAS and Digital Marketing), meant my digital experience wasn’t limited to a fraction of the eco-system but understanding the combination of all relevant digital touchpoints, the people that interact with them, and the business processes and technology environment that support both would be  the crux of my daily experiences.

Its been 14 months and i have whole lot to share. I promise not to bore you with a lot of digital jargon. But I promise to update you with the latest happenings in the digital world and you can leave my blog taking away one or two details that the digital world can add to every aspect of your life!

Welcome to the chronicles of my digital journey.