CELEBRATING TIMELESS BONDS FORGED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH
We reached out to our alumni who found lifelong friendships during their studies at the University of Edinburgh to share their stories and cherished moments. And they delivered! Join us as we delve into these heart-warming tales from our alumni community.
*****
“The University of Edinburgh gave me more than a degree; it gave me a lifelong friendship. Cleo and I were the only Zimbabweans in our cohort of Mastercard Foundation Scholars. Fate brought us together, but our bond grew through mutual support as we navigated the challenges of studying abroad at a top university. In tough times, we cried together. I believe we are among those to whom Rihanna dedicated the lyrics, 'We found love in a hopeless place'. One of my favourite memories is from March 2022, during a social event. Cleo, with teary eyes, gave me a spontaneous hug and told me how much she would miss me after our Master’s. Though we had only been friends for a few months, that heartfelt moment made me realise how deeply we had connected. It felt like we had known each other forever. Since parting ways in late 2022, we miss each other dearly. Despite work and family commitments, we keep a strong bond through frequent WhatsApp calls and life updates. Beyond earning my Master’s degree, I gained an incredible best friend and I can’t wait to see her again soon.” 🖊️ Rudo Donga (MSc Global Health Policy, 2022)
📷 Rudo (L) and Cleo (R) sharing a joyful moment outside McEwan Hall
*****
“I met Petros during my first year at the University of Edinburgh. We hit it off, started going to the gym together and decided to live together in our second year. The rest is history. We spent countless hours together studying, cooking and watching series and movies. We’ve had each other’s backs through good and bad times and celebrated each other’s successes like they were our own. Even after graduation, when I lived in the United States, we kept a close bond and visited each other. The most memorable moment of our friendship was when we moved into our new apartment in our fourth year and we couldn’t decide who would take which room and we were sleeping on the couches in the living room for the first two-three nights. It was special because none of us wanted to take the big room and we were happier sleeping together in the living room. It was a very Andreas-Petros moment. I’m genuinely grateful to Edinburgh for many things, and one of the main ones is getting to meet my friends, and especially Petros.” 🖊️ Andreas Nearchou (BSc Computer Science, 2021)
📷 Petros (L) and Andreas (R) embracing on Oxford Street in London
*****
"Steph came walking into my Advanced Higher English class at school with a huge smile, short blonde pixie cut and a loud and friendly ‘Hello! I’m Steph!’ We didn’t become close at school as we lived quite far from each other, but when we realised we’d both been accepted to study English Literature at the University of Edinburgh, we jumped at the chance to live together! Two girls from Falkirk accepted by a Russell Group university, we felt simultaneously on top of the world and terrified! And the rest is history!" 🖊️ Kimberley Webster (MA English Literature, 2017)
"We’ve supported each other through so many of life’s ups and downs. A recent highlight has to be the Taylor Swift Eras tour, from getting the tickets that were like gold dust, to planning outfits and then enjoying the evening it was so much fun! We don’t have to message every single day but just knowing we have each other’s back (even if we disagree at times!) is so comforting. Even when we have lived in other parts of the world at times, we have continued to find lovely ways to show we still care and appreciate each other.” 🖊️ Stephanie Stevenson (MA English Literature, 2017)
📷 Stephanie (L) and Kimberley (R) on a trip to Venice
*****
“Katie, Molly, Daniel and myself are coursemates and have been friends for eight years now. We all did the MSc in Science Communication and Public Engagement at the University of Edinburgh. Plus, we collected one of the course mentors - Sophie - to be our friend! We meet up regularly, having expanded the friendship group now to other friends who live in Edinburgh but didn’t study with us, celebrating birthdays, life achievements, weekend adventures out of the city and lots else. We have also spent every Palentine’s Day together since we met and are continuing the tradition this year! Also, two of us - Molly and I - now work for the University. Our recent holiday took us to Warsaw to see Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour (after failing to get tickets for Edinburgh) where we added a few days to the trip to first go to the Polish countryside on a group holiday. We went on walks in the mountains, had cosy reading days, and went to a water park together. The Eras Tour was something we were all very keen to see and a group holiday out of it was an added bonus!” 🖊️ Lauren Hockenhull (MSc Science Communication and Public Engagement, 2017)
📷 Lauren and her friends on a hike in the mountains near Zakopane, Poland. (L-R) Daniel (coursemate), Lauren, Donald (Lauren’s partner), Ross (Molly’s husband), Molly (coursemate), Sophie (course mentor), Katie (coursemate) and Craig (friend)
*****
“I met Molly and Liv in 2019 through the University’s Insights Programme on a trip to New York. A preacher on the street in New York told us we were now bonded, we were sisters for life, and little did we know how right she would be. From supporting each other through breakups, house moves and new jobs, these girls have been on hand for advice since the plane landed at JFK. The University of Edinburgh gave me much more than just my degree, it gave me my best friends and my support system”. 🖊️ Olivia Jarvis (MA International Relations, 2021)
“I never expected to leave the Insights Programme with two best friends, but that’s exactly what happened. From our time in New York, to sharing unforgettable moments in Edinburgh as we continued our studies, to where we are now, our friendship has only gotten stronger. Even though we now live in different cities, the bond we share is unbreakable, and I know we’ll be connected forever, no matter where life takes us.” 🖊️ Molly Nelson (MA Psychology, 2020)
📷 (L-R) Olivia, Liv and Molly at the University of Edinburgh alumni reception in London
*****
"I met Handy, Fitry, Larasati and Helmi in the University's Main Library. As fellow Indonesians, they warmly welcomed me into their study group, even though I wasn’t part of their MSc programme. I often joined them in the lower ground study room at Main Library or at King’s Buildings, where we shared jokes, laughter, and the joys (and struggles) of academic life. We would stay in the library until late, sometimes until the next morning. What makes this friendship special is how they included me when I initially felt alone as the only Indonesian student in my MSc Synthetic Biology programme. Their kindness and camaraderie made a huge difference in my time at Edinburgh. Helmi and I were also involved in the Indonesian Student Society (PPI Greater Edinburgh), which strengthened our bond even more. We officially graduated together on in November 2024, marking the culmination of our journeys at the University of Edinburgh. We stay connected through Instagram and WhatsApp, ensuring that the laughter and support we shared in Edinburgh continue across different time zones and new adventures." 🖊️ Sahal Sabilil Muttaqin (MSc Synthetic Biology and Biotechnology, 2024)
📷 L-R Handy, Fitry, Larasati, Sahal and Helmi posing for a photo outside McEwan Hall
*****
"I met Alix on the same course. We were both studying Japanese and got talking to each other, as classmates do. The first thing I remember saying to Alix that wasn't about coursework or the latest homework essay, was, completely unprompted, "I think I'm not bisexual, I think I might actually be a lesbian", and he responded with “That's great! I'm proud of you!". And from that moment of us sitting opposite one another on the 2nd floor of 50 George Square waiting for our seminar to start, I knew I'd met him - my platonic soul mate. The pandemic cut off our contact, but straight after the restrictions were lifted, we reconnected after finding each other by complete chance on Spareroom, looking for flatmates. We've been living together for almost two years, and I can't imagine a life without him. We've seen each other at our worst, at our best, and even though Alix dropped out and we didn't get to enjoy a graduation together, we've remained close to the point that I've now been adopted into his family. I love this man to the moon and back, and we wouldn't have met if we hadn't been on the same course at the University of Edinburgh." 🖊️Pinja Vuorela (MA Japanese, 2023)
📷 Pinja (L) and Alix (R) at 'The Bowie Experience', Usher Hall
Watch out for PART TWO coming on Valentine's Day 🧡
All opinions expressed are those of the individuals being quoted and do not necessarily reflect those of the University of Edinburgh.
📷 Cover photo by Andrew Perry