<<he doesn't wake up in a ditch in Penicuik with a tattoo, hangover and an empty bank account>>

nothing to be ashamed of...

As his mom, I wouldn't be too happy about him waking up in a ditch, etc. We do have some decision-making on the bank account.

I just talked to Bank of America - the woman made it sound deceptively easy.

Is there any reason that a debit card issued by Bank of America wouldn't be accepted in Edinburgh (at places that students would frequent)?

I'm just thinking that a local bank would be easier for DS (except for the part about us needing to wire money into it periodically). And thanks for the point about working - I think he'd like to at some point after he's settled in.

He needs to take local advice about the legalities covering overseas students and work, and to be careful - the rules are subject to change.

I was an American student at Edinburgh who has a BofA account, and I'll tell you, Barclays are not easy to come by in Edinburgh (one on George Street, one at St. Andrew's Square, both of which are not near the Uni, and that's it). It wasn't long before I got a bank account with RBS (plus it made the handling of financial aid considerably easier). I'd suggest having both...that way, he has the ease of a local bank account and you have the convenience of being able to make deposits stateside that he can withdraw without fees if necessary.

Regarding food, Tesco sold Old El Paso taco/fajita kits when I was there, and pitas were very easy to come by as well. For Indian takeaway, Chilli Connection on Clerk Street was always my favorite when I lived by the Uni; I later moved by Fountainpark and found great Chinese takeaway at So Good, and the best doner wrap at Maria's, both on Dundee Street.

PatrickLondon - yes, he knows he has to follow the visa requirements; we looked them up some time ago to see if he could even work at all.

On Bank of America ATM locations, that's what it was looking like to me, so thanks for the verification! And good to know about Old El Paso. And of course the Chilli Connection.

My Aunt Judith, mentioned here many times over the years, is a graduate of the University of Edinburgh.

Thin

Start out w/ the BofA ATM card . . . and any credit card he may already have (Visa or MC - not Discover). Even w/ the paucity of Barclay's cash points that will be his easiest/cheapest way to get cash for the first few weeks. Then after he is settled in and has the address and other details he needs he can open an RBS account and get a debit card for it.

Then he can deposit any £ cheques/£ cash he acquires into the RBS account but still get cash out of the Barclay's if/when needed.