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.
*****
"I met my best friend, Morgan, while we were doing our Master's at the University of Edinburgh. We lived in the same student halls, both were in the School of History, Classics, and Archaeology, and we even walked to registration together! We’re both Americans who decided to move to Edinburgh for university, so we found we had a lot in common. Morgan stayed in Edinburgh and I moved back to the US. While we try to talk every week, and we video call at least once a month, even if we go a while without chatting, it’s like no time has passed at all and we're sprawled out on the floor of the postgrad study room at 3am trying to finish the last bit of our term papers. We make an effort to visit each other at least once a year and we play Dungeons & Dragons together online (with our partners and friends). Morgan even officiated my wedding in 2021! I remember that when my now husband was coming to Scotland to visit, Morgan predicted that he was going to propose, and he did!" 🖊️ Wendy Vencel (MSc Medieval History, 2019)
📷 Newlyweds Alex and Wendy with Morgan at their wedding in Indiana, US
*****
“I met Vidisha in 2023 on my first day in Edinburgh. We bonded over the struggles and excitement of being international students. Since then, we haven't left each other's side. We have been through thick and thin together; be it heartbreaks, academic stress and achievements or just exploring the beautiful city of Edinburgh. We are so similar but have such different perspectives, it's a no brainer that she became my confidant and my best friend. One of my most memorable friendship moments was our trip to London. It was chaos as everything that could go wrong did go wrong! But we had each other and it was unforgettable, despite the gloomy weather! After graduation, I have moved back to India to apply my Master's knowledge in the family business and Vidisha is pursuing a career in the UK. Vidisha, you are my friend, my sister, and my rock. I could not have survived, and can’t imagine Edinburgh without you. I miss you and I can’t wait to see you again." 🖊️ Nandini Dixit (MSc Advanced Chemical Engineering, 2024)
📷 Vidisha (L) and Nandini (R) exploring London
*****
“Michaela and I first met at the student check-in for our course at the School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences. I was extremely nervous to meet my fellow cohort members but after our first interaction, I immediately felt at ease. She offered me a pen, as I struggled to complete my check-in form without one. This kind gesture would be the foundation for which our friendship was built, on help. She helped me that day and little did I know that she would help me every day after. She helped me through my course when I struggled, she helped me through the loss of my father as I grieved, and she helped me realise the true meaning of friendship and care. She is the epitome of altruistic and someone I could not live without. I owe it all to Edinburgh for helping me find the Louise to my Thelma. We both graduated in November of 2024 with an MSc in Psychological Research. We now live only about 10 minutes away from each other and make a concerted effort each week to connect and share our life updates.” 🖊️ Elysabeth Prigmore (MSc Psychological Research, 2022)
📷 Michaela (L) and Elysabeth (R) posing for a photo outside McEwan Hall
*****
“I first met Mirabelle online in April 2023 when a mutual friend wished her happy birthday. We didn’t know each other and we didn't know we’d be in Edinburgh later that year. I was still in Kenya and Mirabelle was in Nigeria. A few months later, we attended the same online sessions for the Mastercard Foundation Orientation Programme; we’d both been offered the same scholarship to study at the University of Edinburgh. We then finally met in person and ended up being next-door neighbours! From that point, our friendship really blossomed. We’ve shared meals together, cried, laughed, prayed, danced, and even travelled to South Africa together. One of the most memorable moments was our first-semester retreat with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars in Aberdeenshire. I vividly recall how energised and carefree I felt during that retreat. I would start singing, and Mirabelle would effortlessly join in, matching my tune and mood. It was in those joyful, shared moments that I realised just how much we clicked. Not only did we share a love for photography and music, but even the excitement for the little things in life was perfectly in sync!” 🖊️ Pauline Ooko (MSc Data, Inequality and Society, 2024)
📷 Pauline (L) and Mirabelle (R) at the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Retreat in Aberdeenshire
*****
"One evening in 2021, my friends insisted I join a social event featuring a spread of pizzas. I love pizza so I decided to come. Among the laughter and games, I met Rachel who suggested an impromptu walk to Portobello Beach at 1am! Intrigued by her spontaneity, and despite the biting November cold, I agreed. Over the hour-long journey, we talked endlessly, discovering shared interests, dreams, and perspectives. By the time we returned, we had exchanged numbers, marking the beginning of countless adventures. From exploring cities to quiet walks by the lake near Arthur’s Seat, our friendship deepened with every shared moment. Fast forward a year, and we were introducing each other to our families! In late 2023, we tied the knot in a celebration graced by many fellow alumni. It was a testament to the friendships and connections fostered at the University. The University of Edinburgh Business School, where we both studied, has not only provided us with world-class education but also created a nurturing environment where friendships could flourish and, in my case, lead to a lifelong partnership." 🖊️ Piyush Chaudhary (MBA Business Administration, 2022)
📷 Piyush and Rachel on a hiking adventure
*****
“I met Anna, Bella and Maddie in Baird House Pollock Halls over seven years ago in 2017. We quickly became close friends and lived together for three years after leaving the halls, firstly in a university flat on West Nicholson Street and then in Marchmont. We all did different courses and Anna, Bella and Maddie all graduated in 2021. In the summer of 2021, at the end of my friends' fourth year, we stayed in a yurt on the West Coast of Scotland, in Argyll and Bute. It was such a relaxed holiday and a great way to enjoy Scotland and reflect on our last four years of friendship before I remained as a student and the others graduated. We did an outdoor barbecue, visited Mull, and had a lot of fun just singing together in the car! We’re still very close despite living apart and that’s all thanks to the University of Edinburgh.” 🖊️ Madryn Riewer (MBChB Medicine, 2023)
📷 (L-R) Maddie, Madryn, Bella and Anna on holiday in Paris
*****
"I met Hannah on the first day of Fresher’s Week in 2018. We were both staying in Warrender Park Crescent. We had both thought about DM’ing each other beforehand but been too scared! The night we met, my parents took us both out for dinner and she met my family. We spent all of fresher’s week together, bonding over trips to Tesco Bruntsfield, making dinner every night together and have been best friends ever since. We lived together our entire time at the University. Since then, we’ve had so many adventures together and speak almost every day even though we now live on opposite ends of the country, meeting up as much as we can. Notably, she recently helped my fiancée choose my engagement ring, and she’s going to be my maid of honour! You don’t get to choose your flatmates, but I’m so lucky to have ended up staying with Hannah in student halls! Having her in my life has been one of the best things that has ever happened to me and I’m so glad our paths crossed." 🖊️ Caitlin Ferguson (BVM&S Clinical Veterinary Medicine, 2024)
📷 Caitlin (L) and Hannah (R) at the Christmas markets in 2018
*****
"I met Max, Yuriy and Peter in 2020. One of the most memorable moments was our first meeting at Teviot Row House. After completing self-isolation, stepping into a new city felt daunting, but meeting this amazing group of friends gave me reassurance and eased my uncertainty. I still remember introducing ourselves and feeling amazed by the diverse backgrounds we came from - Germany, Ukraine, and Sri Lanka! It was exciting to realise that I would be studying alongside such a great group of people. Even after graduation, we stay connected through social media, checking in on each other’s lives. To me, friendship is more than just good times - it’s about being a source of support, encouragement, and shared growth." 🖊️ Sachinda Witharanage (MSc International and European Politics, 2021)
📷 (L-R) Max, Yuriy, Peter and Sachinda in their graduation gowns outside McEwan Hall
Read PART ONE of our alumni friendship series 👇
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