The Fellowship of St Andrews – a group of undergraduate and postgraduate students united by their love for St Andrews – is challenging students, parents, friends and alumni to take up the Soaking for St Andrews challenge throughout May to support the University Community Fund (UCF) and keep the spirit of May Dip (and post exam soakings) alive and well.
Those who have taken part so far have donated to the UCF to support local individuals and organisations in St Andrews who are providing vital aid and guidance during the Covid-19 crisis.
Here, some of these students describe their thoughts and feelings about this year’s virtual May Dip.
“Although this is not the end to my St Andrews career that I envisioned, the Fellowship has made sure that everyone in my year can enjoy the traditions that we have come to love. I am so proud to be a member of such a great group and I will miss it next year.” Joel Moore (4th year Classics) Fownhope, UK“Being apart from the Bubble for the last two months has only made me appreciate being a St Andrean even more. I’m so grateful that the Fellowship was able to relay our annual May Dip to our geographically scattered, yet fondly united community across the world, and I am looking forward to the new exciting initiatives we’ll launch this year in strengthening Town and Gown relations!” Charlotte Jiang (3rd year English and Art History) London, UK“The end of the semester and my second year is definitely not what I expected – and bittersweet. Missing out on end of year traditions such as May Dip definitely made me miss my favorite town and appreciate all that it has to offer. I am so happy that I was able to participate and help plan #Soak4StA as it gave a sense of normalcy to so many students in an unusual and uncertain time!” Caroline Shevack (2nd year Social Anthropology) New York, USA“This has been an unexpected, difficult, and heartbreaking time to finish up my final year at St Andrews. While I am constantly battling with thoughts of nostalgia for what could have been, I hope we will come out of this situation having been shaped for the better and have an overwhelming sense of solidarity in the class of 2020 through an experience uniquely our own.” Hannah Galatoire (4th year International Relations) Texas, USA“While this wasn’t the end that I expected, I have done my best to make the most of it and make my last days as an undergrad here count.” Stephen Sisel (4th year Modern History) St Andrews, UK“Wow! Does anyone else feel like they’ve lost three months of their lives? Balancing online learning and staying in touch with friends from halfway around the globe has been challenging to say the least. I’m so grateful for #Soak4StA for providing an additional platform to remain connected with St Andrews and for not letting me miss out on one my favorite university traditions.” Izzy Reeves (3rd year Biology) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia“Covid has disrupted many of the traditions looked forward to at the end of the year, May Dip being one of them. As a postgrad, I am sad that I could not experience May Dip in its prime. However, I am happy to have helped facilitate #Soak4StA through my involvement with the Fellowship. Pat Higgins (Postgrad Fellow) St Andrews, UK“Working with this group of students has been incredible. Their ongoing passion and determination to support the local community of St Andrews has been inspiring. I look forward to working with those who are returning next year (though I’m a bit worried what the challenge might be by then!) and wish those graduating every success.” Sam Byers, Annual Giving Manager, Development, St Andrews, UK
Please help them to achieve their target of £1,000. Please donate, don’t forget to nominate 5 people and tag #Soak4StA. Thank you!
