My Foundation Year Experience – Charlotte
Leaving high school in Hong Kong for my senior year at St Andrews came as a total surprise. One moment, I was wrapping up my final exams, and the next, I was packing my entire life into a 25KG suitcase, boarding a plane to Scotland. I never expected to finish my high school journey without my best friends from home, let alone step into a completely new environment surrounded by unfamiliar faces during what was supposed to be a bittersweet final year before university. However, after an unexpected yet transformative year at St. Andrews, I can confidently say it was one of the best decisions I ever made, and I don’t regret a single moment of it.
Challenges Faced
As an ambivert, it was particularly hard for me to make friends in a new environment. To me, the sudden transition was harshly overwhelming, and for the first few days, I felt so alone and lost, especially after my dad left. I remember spending the entire night calling my friends from home, crying as I searched for the quickest plane ticket to fly back to Hong Kong. The thought of leaving St Andrews and being back with my friends and family felt like the only solution then.
However, everything changed on the day of the BRP check at the Gateway building. I was sitting alone, feeling anxious about socialising with new people, when two girls sitting beside me approached me and struck up a conversation. It turned out they were also foundation students living in DRA. Eager to make new friends, I invited them to join me for breakfast at the cafeteria, even though I felt shy and nervous. That simple gesture made a world of difference. From then on, those two girls became some of my closest friends at St Andrews. Together, we shared countless inside jokes and laughs, creating memories that I will cherish for a lifetime. I couldn’t imagine university life without them.
Reflecting on that time, I now realise how important it is to step out of your shell and be open to making new connections. The people at St Andrews are generally friendly and it’s so important to remember that you are not the only one that feels out of place in a new environment. Everyone experiences a similar sense of awkwardness of not fitting in during the first few weeks; yet even when it feels daunting, stepping outside of your comfort zone and approaching others can lead to the most meaningful relationships, often beginning in the most unexpected ways.
Highlights of My Year
One of the key highlights of my year was definitely participating in Raisin. For context, Raisin is a longstanding St Andrews tradition, where older students adopt first year students as “children” and guide them in a mentorship system. Every year, they engage in fun activities together, such as dinner gatherings or ice cream runs to Janettas. These events build up to the Raisin Weekend in October.
I was fortunate enough to be adopted by a pair of “parents” that offered me everything I wanted in an academic family. I still vividly remember Raisin morning being incredibly cold and crisp. Me and my academic siblings walked in the dark at 5 am to the East Sands,
where we participated in various games, including a trivia quiz about our parents as well as a three-legged race. At the crack of dawn, we all plunged into the freezing sea before heading back to our “dad’s house” for pizza and card games. In the afternoon, we went on a
scavenger hunt around town, completing some random, yet quirky tasks, such as holding a funeral for an item at Tesco, as well as some traditional ones, like building a human pyramid on the PH symbol outside St Mary Quad.
The next morning, we concluded the weekend with Raisin Monday, where we were dressed in embarrassing duck costumes and gathered on Lower College Lawn to participate in a huge shaving foam fight against other academic families. It was a nightmare cleaning up after the fight, but Raisin was honestly one of those once-in-a-lifetime events you simply cannot miss. From early morning chills by the beach at the dusk of dawn, to the warmth from pizza and blankets after, every moment felt like a scene taken out from a movie, and I truly felt like I was living up to my teenage dream.
Advice for Incoming Students
To the incoming freshies, here’s my advice:
Keep an Open Mind: Embrace the St Andrews experience and be ready to step out of your comfort zone. The culture here may be different from what you were used to back in your home city, but that’s part of the beauty of studying abroad. Trust me, you’ll find that some of the best and most memorable moments often come from unexpected places.
Get Involved: Join clubs and attend social events whenever you can. It’s never too late to start a new activity. St Andrews offers over 180 student societies, so there’s bound to be something you like. While you are at it, don’t miss the chance to try out golf (St Andrews is the “Home of Golf” after all!). Seek Help: Don’t hesitate to ask for help. Whether academically or personally, the staff at St
Andrews are always supportive and ready to lend you a helping hand! You never have to feel alone, St Andrews is your home away from home!
Enjoy your Time: Finally, savour every moment. Your time as a foundation student at St Andrews will fly by in a blink of an eye, so make the most of the year! Go out and explore, you’re only young once.
In a nutshell, my foundation year was a whirlwind of growth, friendship, and unforgettable experiences. I hope you all enjoy your journey as much as I did!
