My Foundation Year Experience – Aizhan
When I first arrived in St Andrews for my Foundation Year, I didn’t know what to expect. I was excited, of course (new country, new people, new start) but also a little nervous. Leaving home means leaving behind a “familiar” version of yourself, and stepping into a completely new chapter where everything feels fresh and uncertain. Looking back now, I can honestly say it was one of the most transformative years of my life, and not because everything went perfectly, but because I learned how to grow through literally every experience, both exciting and sometimes challenging.
What I Enjoyed Most
The first thing I fell in love with was THE PEOPLE. St Andrews has this incredible mix of cultures and personalities, for instance you can meet someone from literally any corner of the world at a single coffee table in the library café. Making new international friends taught me so much more than I expected. I learned how to communicate with people whose backgrounds and perspectives are completely different from mine, and how to find connection even when our worlds seem far apart. The social life here can also be something unique. From society fairs to language cafés, tennis matches to golf sessions, and of course, the famous St Andrews balls, there’s always something happening. Some of my favourite memories come from these moments, like getting ready for formal events, dancing with friends I’d only met a few months earlier, and realizing how quickly this new place had started to feel like home. One of the highlights of my year was helping organise the DRA Ball. It was a lot of work (meetings, logistics, coordination) but seeing everyone enjoy the event made it worth it. It also taught me valuable skills about teamwork and responsibility. Later on, I got involved with different societies, including some focused on consulting and finance, and even joined committees to create and lead new projects. These experiences not only helped me make new friends but also opened doors to opportunities I didn’t know existed when I first arrived.
Growing as a Person
What surprised me the most about the Foundation Year wasn’t just how much I learned academically, but how much I learned about myself. When you move away from home, you suddenly become responsible for everything, your schedule, your meals, your finances, your emotions, and even your mental space, at first glance it can really stress you out. I learned how to manage my time more responsibly and balance studying with social life. I learned how to push myself to attend that extra lecture or try that new sport, even on days when I just wanted to stay in bed. I learned how to listen to others and how to communicate better and I am not talking just in an academic setting, but in daily life. And perhaps most importantly, I learned how to take care of myself and the environment and people around me. Becoming more independent also meant learning to cope with homesickness. I won’t lie, the first few weeks were hard. You suddenly realise how much you took simple things for granted – your family, your mom’s food, your language, even the feeling of being surrounded by people who just get you. But over time, I started to appreciate the freedom that came with independence. You learn to create your own version of comfort, your own routine, and your own sense of “home” in a new place.
The Hard Parts
I think every student faces challenges at the beginning. For me, it was mostly about adjusting emotionally, as I have mentioned dealing with homesickness and figuring out how to manage everything on my own. But once I accepted that feeling homesick was completely normal, things got easier. I started reaching out to people, joining activities, and talking about how I felt. The more open I was, the more I realised that everyone was going through the same thing in their own way. The other challenge was time management. The Foundation Year can get busy quickly, in terms of the essays, group projects, extracurricular activities, and sometimes it feels like everything happens at once. But with time, I learned how to prioritise, plan ahead, and still make space for the things I enjoy – skills that help me a lot right now in my life! The truth is, the challenges are what make the experience meaningful. They teach you resilience, flexibility, and how to handle life when things don’t go exactly according to plan, and to be honest those lessons stay with you long after the Foundation Year ends.
My Advice to Future Foundation Students
If I could give one main piece of advice, it would be this: DO NOT BE SHY. Everyone is in the same boat, nervous, curious, and figuring things out. No one has it all together, and that’s okay. You don’t need to pretend to be someone you’re not. Just be yourself, that’s who people will connect with the most.
Be proactive. Go to that society fair, sign up for events, talk to people in your lectures, and explore new interests. The Foundation Year gives you an incredible chance to try different things before you start your degree, take advantage of it. Whether it’s joining a sport, volunteering, or attending a ball, every experience adds something to who you are.
Don’t be afraid to fail or to feel uncomfortable. Growth doesn’t happen in your comfort zone. If something scares you , like giving a presentation, meeting new people, or applying for a committee, that’s probably a sign that you should do it.
Take care of yourself. You’ll have ups and downs, and that’s completely normal. If you feel bad, talk to someone, maybe a friend, a classmate, or a tutor. St Andrews has a really supportive community, and people genuinely care. It’s okay to ask for help when you need it.
And finally, enjoy it. Time flies faster than you think. Go on walks by the sea, watch the sunset from the pier, laugh with your friends in the library café, and take pictures of the random little moments that make you happy. One day you’ll look back and realise how much this year shaped you and not just academically, but as a person.
Looking Back
When I think about my Foundation Year now, I don’t just see it as a year of studying, I see it as a year of becoming. It’s the “bridge” between who you were at home and who you’re becoming as an independent adult. It’s a time to explore, to make mistakes, to connect, and to grow. If you’re about to start your Foundation Year, I hope you know that it’s going to be okay, even if it feels overwhelming at first. You’ll meet incredible people, learn things you never expected, and discover so much about yourself. And one day, you’ll realise you’ve built a whole new life in a place that used to be completely unfamiliar. So go for it. Be open, be brave, be curious. Try everything that sparks your interest.