Honors Link

During Winter and Spring term of my junior year, I studied at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. The University of St Andrews has a vast history and is rich with traditions that provided me with a unique experience. The university celebrated its 600th year anniversary over the 2013-2014 academic year, with events to celebrate throughout my time at St. Andrews.

A Scottish and English Medieval history course allowed me to learn about the facts and stories surrounding St Andrew’s history, and then walk through the ruins of the castle and cathedral to really experience history first-hand. The historical stories that we heard in class became tangible and real, which provided an immensely more relevant experience than just reading information from a textbook.

Although I took some history courses, my area of study is Mathematics. I am particularly interested in math education, and it was a helpful to be exposed to a system different to that I’ve experienced in the United States. In addition to learning about new topics in math, I also gained an understanding of varying teaching styles and formats. St Andrews offered a larger variety of math courses than I was used to, which allowed me to widen my mathematical horizon. I had the privilege of taking a course from one of the most renowned professors in the math department at St. Andrews. In this course I learned about Group Theory as well as effective teaching tactics. Another course, Fractal Geometry, was taught by one of the leading world experts in the field. Learning the basics of this new field in Mathematics from a prestigious professor is an experience I know I am fortunate to have had, and that I will never forget.

Along with challenging academics, my experience at St. Andrews was accompanied by many adventures with people who became lifelong friends. Immersing myself in St Andrews tradition, I found myself swimming in the North Sea at sunrise for the May Dip, trouncing through the Scottish countryside, and dowsing seniors in water and glitter after they finished their final exam. The bonds forged in the trials of traveling and adventures across the sea are ones that will last a lifetime.

The funds I was granted through the Honors College Experience Scholarship helped to pay for most of my housing while in St Andrews. I stayed in a residence hall adequately called University Hall, which had a fantastic atmosphere and great sense of comradery, whether it was singing the hall cheer at the Mr. St Andrew’s competition or mingling with the warden staff at a wine-and-cheese event. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to spend some of my college career abroad and to have been able to receive support from the Honors College.