When I studied abroad in Edinburgh, Scotland, a year ago, there were already some signs of division. A man in my literature class wore a wristband with the words “YES 2014” on it. A woman performed a poem about Scottish nationalist pride at a pub open mic. A professor mentioned in passing the possibility of an independent Scotland.

The atmosphere has escalated since then. One-word signs in shop windows proclaiming “yes” or “no” are enough to spark a heated debate among passersby. Rallies and marches fill parks and streets around Scotland. “Literally every conversation seems to come back to it,” a friend still in Edinburgh told me the other day.

The people of Scotland are today being faced with the biggest decision they can make as a nation. The question on the ballot is deceivingly simple: “Should Scotland be an independent country?”

The response to this question will decide Scotland’s future permanently, and the outcomes are not clear.

The first question to ask: Why is this referendum happening? Why do the Scots want independence, if they do?

Alex Salmond, the current First Minister of Scotland, promised this referendum upon his re-election in 2011. He is the Leader of the Scottish National Party and has been one of the biggest proponents of Scottish independence over the past few decades.

The most compelling argument for Scottish independence is simple: Scotland should be ruled by the Scots. With a population of only five million, their opinions are quickly drowned out by the 53 million English voices in the UK Parliament. They have consistently voted differently than the rest of the UK, but their small proportion of the government means that their wishes never come to fruition.

So sure, Scotland should be rules by the Scots. Their government should accurately represent their political views. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. If it were, 52 percent of Scots wouldn’t be planning to vote “no.”

The pros and cons of independence are hard to weigh. I’ve been reading more Scottish news than American news these past few weeks, and my opinion is as divided as Scotland’s. Polls leading up to election day have shown the independence movement gaining more momentum, but it seems to close to call.

The fact is that no one really knows what independence would look like. Will Scotland stay in the EU? Still use the pound? Maintain a stable economy? Salmond assures everyone that the answer to all these questions is yes, but there is little way of knowing for sure what the resulting country would look like. After reading so much speculation on how Scotland could or could not succeed in forging its own path, it’s become clear that no one really knows what the long-term implications of independence would be.

I’m not Scottish, even by heritage, so my final opinion on the matter doesn’t make much of a difference. Like many other non-Scots have said, I just want Scotland to do what it feels is best, and I hope that, whatever they decide, they are able to create a better Scotland. That is what this referendum is all about, in the end.