"In high summer it is difficult to imagine the seasons changing, but as September draws closer, a generation of Ulster’s young people are preparing to fly the nest for University. Many will move farther afield than their parents or grandparents could possibly imagine, and many for good. The links between our wee country and Scotland stretch back centuries but in these modern times, it is interesting to see the trend which continues to emerge even in these young generations, the pull of the Northern Irish youth to Scotland. Yes, I myself contemplate this as I prepare, hopefully, to take a place in Edinburgh this autumn. I find myself far from the exception, this connection; a somewhat coined “brain-drain” of students is far from a recent phenomenon. Perhaps one of the most well-known of these students is Francis Hutcheson (1694-1746), of Co. Down, and former student of the University of Glasgow. As the father of the Enlightenment, credited as being influential in the phrasing of the Declaration of Independence, this “most influential and respected moral philosopher” (Norman Fierling) provides a fine example, even centuries ago, of how the move from Northern Ireland to Scotland can form only the first stepping stone in a long academic career; which can cross many seas much wider than the 13km that separates Ulster and Scotland.

For many, this short ferry crossing can feel closer to home than a brief flight from London. A shared culture, music, and even sense of humour have been cited by many, even a taste for whiskey may be cited by a few of the more excitable teenagers who prepare for their first year this September. Bronagh Shand, of the University of Dundee describes how; “in the student areas of Dundee I generally find that more people tend to be Northern Irish” and states night-life and “craic” to be a big attraction for many students.

Regardless of the reasons, as travel becomes easier, cheaper and of increasing importance as a sort of “rite of passage” for many of Ulster’s youth this trend is bound to continue – and with more and more students from all over the world choosing to study here, this transfer of knowledge can only be a good thing, promoting links to the mainland and preventing our workforce from stagnating, as well as providing an invaluable cultural exchange.

English historian G. M. Trevelyan (1876-1962) described the interaction between Ulster and Scotland as ‘a constant factor’ in history, and at any rate, this link seems far from fading at any point in the near future. With a connection founded on culture, economics, and increasingly an educational link, I find myself at least, excited to be following this same well-travelled path. Wish me luck!”

Hannah McCooke