They travelled to the north east as buddies. And yesterday, they graduated together from Aberdeen University.
Inverness friends, Fiona Langston and Rebecca Buchan, crossed the academic finish line after venturing to the Granite City and spoke afterwards of how their camaraderie had steered them towards their different goals.
After attending Fortrose Academy, Miss Langston graduated with a degree in Geology and Petroleum Geology and Miss Buchan achieved her undergraduate degree in Geography.
Reflecting on their time at university, the duo made it clear that having a connection to home had helped them through the ups and downs of campus life.
Miss Langston said: “A few of us came over from school together which was definitely reassuring when I first moved to university.
“And even though we are still great friends and have made it to graduation together, our friendship group has just continued to grow even further through being in Aberdeen.
“So now I’ve been able to come to university and have a bit of a fresh start while being able to keep a part of home with me.
“I feel like I definitely got the best of both worlds in that way.”
With her undergraduate degree complete, the 21-year-old now hopes to pursue a career in civil engineering, like her other family members.
She added: “Both my dad and my brother studies at Imperial College in London, but I was set on coming here, though now I am keen to follow in their footsteps.
“They have both been able to travel so much with their work around the world and that is definitely something that really appeals to me.”
Miss Buchan added: “Having school friends here has been great and I think made the university experience even better, knowing I always had someone from home that I could go and speak to.
“I also think it’s been a good reassurance for my mum or Fiona’s mum that, if ever they were worried, they knew we had each other here and would help each other when we needed to.”