The founding principles of Edinburgh University were based on the strict doctrines of Calvinism. The famous eighteenth century philosopher David Hume was refused professorship for publicly proclaiming his disbelief in God.

Classes began at five a.m. each morning and continued into the night. Only two hours were free in the afternoon for compulsory exercise. Edinburgh University adopted a traditional regent system of teaching where each student was assigned a tutor who taught him until he completed his degree. There were no set examinations, but don't get too excited, since the regent or professor would test his students himself daily. If not, then the professor would be failing in his duty.

Under the spirit and principle of Calvinism students entered the university in order to seek after lessons in morality and virtue. And the practice of the above took place not just in class, before the professor, but also in their daily living. Students were forbidden to attend public hangings in the Grass market. These included even funerals, except those of famed councilors, which were considered too frivolous.

Such a rigorous education did not, however, "train" all students. In 1680, a student by the name of Robert Brown, an Englishman, burnt an effigy of the Pope in the Kirk o' Fields before the public's eyes. Even more troublesome was that the school was unable to prevent students from supporting Brown. Later, the college was charged with treason by the Privy Council and it was closed down.

Through many painful experiences the school finally devised a pledge which the students must sign upon their matriculation into the university. They pledge to be dutiful and industrious in their studies as well as never allow the school to be ashamed. This is the origin of the Sponsio Academica.

It's often said that the main pressure of studying in the U.S. is paying the high cost of tuition. In Germany there is "time pressure." (Tuition is free; yet completing a degree takes a long time.) Well, studying in Britain is a combination of both time and money pressure.

In Britain a bachelor's degree takes at least three years to complete (under the Scottish system it takes four); a master's degree takes at least one or two years; and a doctorate takes at least three.

At a quick glance it seems rather economical to finish a university degree in three years and a master's degree in one year, but the heavy course load of the British curriculum and the strict examinations are often too much for even the local students to endure, not to mention students who come from different backgrounds. It's not uncommon for doctoral students in the social sciences to study for five or six years. In some schools, if you fail an exam there's no chance of making it up. Even the thought of "buying time" is just a defeat.

The real pressure comes from schoolwork.

Many students from the R.O.C. go to the U.S. to study. Information and accounts of their experiences are easily attainable. On the other hand, information concerning universities in Europe is very limited. Unfortunately there's a great difference between the British educational system and that of the R.O.C. (There's even a difference between Scotland and England.) The different departments and the complexity of the various degrees are enough to confuse even the local students. The eight students at Edinburgh from the R.O.C. select classes--and even professors--based on the experiences of their upper classmates and friends. They've learned to benefit from the experiences of their front-runners.

Undergraduate and graduate students alike face the same difficulty--language. Those students who so diligently studied American English in the R.O.C. will find that they'll need a period of time to adjust to the accent here.

One student who has gone on to Edinburgh to take on a doctoral degree after having got a master's degree in the U.S. brought on the criticism of an instructor who said, "I'm not very satisfied with your King's English. . . ." He returned to his dorm in a fury. An American student living in the same dorm seeing the situation encouraged him by saying, "Don't be discouraged, my instructor says my 'English' is lousy too!"

"In my experience, professors are unrelenting in their search for preciseness in word usage and perfect grammar," says Chang Shih-hao, "Perfect English doesn't happen overnight. Do your best to let the professor know that you are prudent and careful. That's enough."

[Picture Caption]

Edinburgh is often called "Athens of the North." This unfinished national memorial on Calton Hill, while looking up, gives one a sense of Athens.

So you're not used to eating potatoes? How about a dish of egg-fried rice?

Paintings by a student's wife and pictures of the children are a source of support.

In the spring the rich-green grass in the park on Prince Street is like a mat. Taking a sunbath while watching the squirrels is a big enjoyment.

So you're not used to eating potatoes? How about a dish of egg-fried rice?

Paintings by a student's wife and pictures of the children are a source of support.

In the spring the rich-green grass in the park on Prince Street is like a mat. Taking a sunbath while watching the squirrels is a big enjoyment.