Info About St. Andrews for a Study Abroad student!

[jmuexchange]

Hey everyone!

I will be studying abroad at St. Andrews next semester (Spring 10) and have so many questions! For starters, I am coming from America and have never traveled to Europe. I have a lot of questions but definitely want to hear what you all have to say about your country and school!

For starters, do the dorms have TVs in them or do I have to bring my own? What is the social life like? Are there formals or balls? Even though I am only there for a semester, am I able to join clubs? What are relationships like there? Best bars to go to? What are the classes like? Student-Professor relations?

I think that's enough for now! Thank you so much for your help!

[RedCelt69]

What is this "Tee-Vee" of which you speak? Hey, just because Scotsmen wear kilts, doesn't make us trannies!

[amusing anecdote]
When my gran first visited her daughter in the US (this would be in the 60s) her son-in-law's mother was showing her around the house. "This is a lavatory - we have them indoors". And, entering the lounge (speaking very slowly as if my gran was unfamiliar with the English language) "this is a te-le-vis-ion set". My gran didn't elaborate how she responded to this treatment... but I can report that she was well-familiar with the concept of indoor-lavatories and, being a Scot, she shared her nationality with the inventor of the TV. (John Logie Baird's design lost out to Marconi's when it came to commercial production, but the invention was Baird's)
[/amusing anecdote]

I'll let others (more knowledgeable of halls of residence) answer your other questions. As for Scotland, itself, if you like sightseeing, we have some spectacular scenery (to the north and west of Fife itself which is scenic in a too-flat kinda way) and cold weather. If you're from one of the more southerly states, you might want to invest in some warm(er) clothing. The flatter-landscape and coastal location makes for some chilly breezes blown in from the North Sea.

As for academic info, it might help if you said what you're going to be studying.

[kerryflett (forgot to sign in)]

Hi!

There's a TV room in each hall of residence (which is really nice because everyone can take their dinner and watch a movie at the weekends); the self catered halls (David Russell Apartments, Albany Park and Fife Park) have a TV for each house. Every hall will have social events on, particularly in the week before term (Freshers' Week), and there are lots of events on at the Union; you can definitely join societies, and it's a good way to get to know people with similar interests to you. As for balls and formals; in second semester there are at least two balls (I think, probably more than that), plus a Hall Ball put on for everyone in your residence.

When it comes to professor-student ratios and things like that, it depends on the department you're in and the classes you take, so if you need more information it might be good to say what subject you're studying (seconded RedCelt). In terms of bars, if you want a quiet drink with friends there are lots of places like Drouthy Neebors (a Scottish-themed pub) or the Bunker Bar, right next to one of the golf courses; if you want a buzzier place then places like the bar at the Byre Theatre, the Raisin and the Union are all good places to go, but you never really know until you get here! Do you know where you'll be staying yet?

[Fawksie]

Drouthy Neebors isn't what I'd call Scottish themed, not any more. It's just another brown leather and wood replica of the West Port/McKays/Rule/1 Golf Place/Greyfriars/Vic. You'd also have to be made of money to drink in the Bunker Bar, if it has anything in common with the Jubilee Lounge upstairs.

[Thalia]

DRA has a tv in each room but unless the uni have grown generous with the start of the recession, there aren't any tvs in Fife park or Albany. Hell, Fife park flats don't even have living rooms in which to put a tv. It does add to its charm though, I'll be sad to see the place go.

[wild_quinine]

Best advice I can give you: Don't exclusively hang out with your fellow Americans when you get here.

Yes, you'll have more in common with them, and you'll get to know them much more easily as there'll doubtless be orientation events where you can all meet. But you'll end up stuck in the same group of fifteen people, and probably spend more time thinking about the stuff you miss than the stuff St. Andrews can offer. Treat it as an adventure in a foreign land, and go deep.

Little note on 'Europe': Yes, we're part of that continent. But the UK is to Europe as Texas is to the US. We like to think we're different, we're proud of things we shouldn't really be proud of, and we probably have the right to secede from the union.

That goes double for Scotland, which would like to think it could get by if it pulled out of the UK altogether.

Scotland is not a populous country, but it has disproportionately influenced both the sciences and the arts and, in my opinion, continues to do so.

It's a rich land, for people, but it also does wastrels better than anywhere on earth.

PS. I will also miss Fife Park.

[jmuexchange]

I definitely don't plan on hanging around many Americans, I am studying abroad to emerge myself in another culture .

As for studying, I will be studying Math and taking MT2004 and another elective class that has yet to be determined (possible Macroeconomics).

Thank you for all your input, I really appreciate it! I am going into this completely blind! What are the size of the beds? In America, our college dorms have XL-twin beds. I don't find out my dorm until January (such a long wait!).

Thank you to everyone who responds! It really helps!

[Super Jock]

For most things I'd say everything varies by how much cash you have. I honestly think your in for a really really good time. Though your missing a lot of the primary excitement of raisin weekend and freshers week from first semester. There are other things like the May Dip, and end of year hall balls you should try. My advice to meet people fast, as a JSA join as many societies as you can, and leave them if you don't like the people you meet.

I'm doing the reverse, biggest shock to me coming was mid terms. Continuous assessment is usually pretty low in the UK. Also St Andrews doesn't have university spectator sports unfortunately.

Also if you go to any balls, if your a lad, us scots wont be offended if you hire a kilt. More impressed that you gave it a try, ceilidhs are a lot more fun with them.

[Super Jock]

PS. I will also miss Fife Park.

Fife Park forever! Like family, you don't have to like it, to not want to replace it.

[jmuexchange]

try, ceilidhs are a lot more fun with them.

Haha! Well for starters I am a woman so I won't be wearing a kilt! But what is a ceilidhs?

[orudge]

A ceilidh is a traditional Scottish dance, and usually very good fun!

[Super Jock]

They occur at the start of every respectable ball And are sometimes a stand alone event.

Basically children in Scotland are forced to learn the steps to scottish dances, in a manor something akin to slavery at school. Ceilidhs (pronounced like the name Kaylie) are the reward for our hard earned work. Thus we are thankful in later life when the opposite sex stop to having "cooties" and when we get to do a dance that sometimes involves meeting every opposite number in the room.

Also don't be afraid is someone asks you to dance, and you don't know how. Very few people in the room know exactly what to do, as long as your dizzy at the end you've done alright.

[jmuexchange]

Oh that's exciting! We do not have anything like that here so I am really looking forward to learning your traditions, culture etc. What are the types of music that are listened to? Do a lot of people listen to American music? Any major fashion trends going on right now that might differ from the US?

Superjock- where did you study abroad (where are you currently) in the us?

Thank you!

[Super Jock]

I'm currently enjoying sunny Atlanta (Georgia Tech) It's a very different place from St Andrews, particularly as unless you have a car your trapped. Unlike St Andrews where a car really isn't needed. Also St Andrews is one of the safest towns for a young person in the UK, round the clock.

Music varies widely so I'm sure I'd misrepresent someone if I comment, though this is the sinner... St Andrews has the nickname "the bubble", as things involving time (eg. music and fashion) and communication (radio and mobile signals) don't work particularly well the moment you enter. As for American music, not as much as an American, but yes.

Once inside you will find people who like the same things as you, though you may struggle if you want to "keep up with the times." For a small population, St Andrews is well represented. You will find someone else, even if it's only one person, who shares your interest.

As for culture and traditions... St Andrews is a poor place to go to learn about "Scottish" Scotland, but you don't have to go far to learn more. Plus there are societies that can help. I recommend using Hostels if you want to see Scotland. I've stayed in a few in and out of cities, and they were all good experiences. As for the UK as a whole, you'll pick that from the rather amusing caricature of UK class structure in St Andrews.

[schmod]

A few linguistic tips:
semester = term
school/college = university/uni
dorm = hall/residence/accommodation (in ascending order of formality)
balls = balls
club = society (except in the case of sports)
bar = pub
professor = lecturer
math = maths
course = module
major = course/degree
Europe ≠ UK
emerge = immerse (actually, this one holds in America too. emerge makes no sense in the context in which you used it)
Edinburgh is pronounced Edin-burra
St Andrews doesn't have a 'campus,' as it's extensively integrated into the town, and thus we hardly ever use the word.

Answers:
Bed sizes vary by hall. Linens are generally provided (and laundered for you too!). Unlike most American dorms, your room should already be comfortably furnished when you arrive. Most beds are roughly the size of a normal US twin (perhaps a bit smaller)

TVs in common rooms. This has been covered pretty extensively -- most content is also available online these days via iPlayer, 4OD, etc... Owning your own TV is complicated at best, thanks to the licensing fees. In short, don't bother.

Join a society and/or sports club (or a dozen!). There will be an activities and sports fayre during your first week at St Andrews. Unfortunately, it's not quite as big of an event as the one during the beginning of the year, but be sure to put your name down for at least a few. You won't be committing to anything by joining a few listservs!

My physics lectures at St Andrews were quite different from those I received at home (William & Mary). The difference is somewhat difficult to explain on paper, so it's best left for you to experience yourself. Note that final exams are generally worth 2/3 of your final grade. The remainder is referred to as your "continuous assessment," the structure of which varies by module.

Lots of pubs in town (some say the most per capita in Britain, which is certainly believable). The Union is the cheapest and largest, but also the loudest. It's staffed mostly by students, and its profits directly fund activities and societies (this is important, because the University itself doesn't throw much money in this direction). Somewhere along the line, Tuesday became a very popular night to go out, as is Friday. Saturdays are surprisingly quiet.

Don't ask us about the weather (you won't like the answer). Prepare for rain, don't expect any snow, and leave the sunscreen at home.

Fashion isn't particularly different. Jeans are still popular (although generally a bit darker and tighter than what's worn in the US). Athletic shoes are rarely worn for non-athletic purposes. I find that people tend to dress slightly "nicer," but that's about it. St Andrews can look alarmingly like a snapshot out of a J. Crew catalogue on occasion.

St Andrews is a fairly safe town by British standards. All of Britain is extremely safe by American standards. The usual warnings apply -- don't walk down dark alleys alone at night, and you shouldn't have too much to worry about.

Music is similar, except for where it's different. Nothing too shocking. Techno's a bit more popular (especially in clubs). Indie rock seems to have roughly the same level of popularity/obscurity as in the US. Mainstream pop is generally the same. Hip Hop is slightly less popular. There are a bizarre handful of bands that somehow never managed to cross over in one direction or the other. I don't think any Americans have ever experienced culture shock from Britain's musical tastes.

[JSiegel]

I was honestly just browsing The Sinner for the first time in months and came across this and couldn't resist.

Biggest pieces of advice:

Societies to join: Quaich Soc (whisky tasting every other week for insanely cheap prices, you'll learn how it's made and have a fabulous time), do an outrageous fundraiser for Charities, go to a debate (make sure you're interested in the topic first, and borrow a gown to wear)

Meet someone British and...: Ask to borrow Blackadder and watch it. Ask for an explanation of cricket. Get them to drive you to Skye for a trip. Go eat pie at the Russell Hotel pub (not restaurant). Have a coffee in Taste. Buy rounds of drinks, not just your own. Dress up for and go to a themed bop.

DEFINITELY: Stay up all night before the May Dip and do it (NOT naked), even if it's raining. And then go to Fisher and Donaldson for fresh, hot pastries and pies right when they open (7am?), go to the Castle Ceilidh, go watch the Shire of Caercaeldon (sp?) members fight with homemade armour in St John's gardens? (it's the garden near Luvians, behind the Medieval History Dept), find the secret bunk room somewhere in St Mary's Quad, study in the King James IV library and the philosophy library .

Don't overstress about your work. Lots of Americans tend to turn down very good social events (even just trips to the pub) because they think they have more work than they do.

And go to Luvians and let them help you choose a really good whisky to take home with you! (Or sample it first by buying a bottle for yourself and your friends!)

PS Don't tip at pubs and scale WAY back on tipping in all other situations. Waiters in this country don't make $2 per hr.

[jmuexchange]

Thank you! All the information is very helpful! I am starting to freak out as the date gets closer (I leave on Feb 2nd). This is my first time in this situation so all of the information everyone has provided has really helped me calm down! haha. Is a "bop" what you all call a party? We have themed parties every weekend (especially because I am in a sorority) so I have many costumes haha!

Thank you again for all of your input!! :-)

[orudge]

The bop is somewhat of a St Andrews institution - it's the main Friday (and Tuesday, and whatever other day happens to be the flavour of the season) social event in the union, typically playing a selection of cheesy music for up to a thousand drunken students. The closest St Andrews has to a club, without actually going to a proper club in Dundee.

[wild_quinine]

DEFINITELY: Stay up all night before the May Dip and do it (NOT naked), even if it's raining.

If your advice is going to be along the lines 'live life to the full', I can't see the point in arbitrarily holding back on the Dip.

Is a "bop" what you all call a party?

It's not what I'd call a party.

[Guest]

If you want to know what a real ceilidh sounds like, why not have a look at http://www.coila.com