Taking the leap – choosing St Andrews
Isabella Scorzelli, a third-year undergraduate studying English and Modern History, shares the positive social, academic and career experiences that have stemmed from her decision to attend the University of St Andrews sight-unseen – including her current position as an intern with Development’s Publications and Alumni Relations teams.
There is not going to be a flashing, bright red light going off in front of you to indicate when it is time to take a risk in your life. Sometimes, there’s not even going to be a confirmation that you’re making the right decision. There is only going to be a small, swirling feeling inside you – excitement, or maybe instinct – leading you towards taking the leap into a new chapter of your life. When it came time to decide on a university to spend four years of my life at, I knew that St Andrews was exactly the place to take that leap.
I am from a small suburban town in New Jersey, USA. Before moving to Scotland for university, I had never left the United States – let alone the east coast of America. Like many others in my academic year, instead of being able to physically visit the universities I was interested in, I had to ‘tour’ them virtually – a direct consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic. So, in addition to completing school, leisure, and social interaction via my laptop screen, it now held the power to influence where I would spend the next four years furthering my academic career.
I was insistent on finding a university that would fulfil all my wishes. I dreamt of historical campuses with medieval architecture, castles and stunning scenery while also searching for a university with an outstanding arts faculty where I could study what I was truly interested in: English and history. Luckily for me, it just so happened that St Andrews offered both.
Convincing my parents to let me attend a university located over 3,000 miles from home that I had never visited before was no easy feat. I can honestly say that I owe a debt of gratitude for this to the St Andrews alumni and University community, whose vast outpouring of love and support spoke for itself. Resources such as the university webpage as well as various YouTube and other social media pages led me to explore the content produced by students who had attended the university before me. I spent hours enthralled by their experiences, and I felt inspired to create my own. Having been won over by the charm and uniqueness of St Andrews, I set off on a one-way flight to Edinburgh in August of 2021, and have never looked back.
Since arriving in St Andrews nearly two years ago, I have blossomed into someone I could only ever have dreamed of becoming. Through my peers, academic tutors and the greater St Andrews community I have had so many unique experiences that I just wouldn’t have had if I hadn’t come to study at this university. Arguably one of my favourite facets of university life is how international the student body is. My closest friends and I are all from different places in the world: Scotland, England, India, America, Ireland, Dubai, and beyond – all brought together by our love for this special place.
During my second year, I decided to make use of the St Andrews Career Careers Centre and scanned for opportunities that would allow me to further myself not only as a student, but also as a young professional. It is through this that I was led to my current position within Development as a Publications and Alumni Relations intern. I am currently halfway through my six-week internship, and I could not be more grateful for the wonderful time I’ve had working here. I am undertaking various editorial tasks for Development publications, gathering and producing content to be published, helping with website development and working alongside a team to create publications such as St Andrews in the News. Taking part in this has provided me with a valuable insight into the world of publishing. As an intern, I have been made to feel welcomed and appreciated, and I take pride in the tasks I complete and look forward to finding out what I’m working on next.
As a result of working with Alumni Relations I have also had the opportunity to volunteer at the University graduation garden party receptions – working with staff on the free photo print setup provided by Development to help graduates’ families preserve the memories of their special day. I’ve even attended events put on by Development for Alumni Weekend, when I got to speak to alumni directly and learn more about what life looks like for students post-graduation. As someone who was heavily influenced by the views of alumni when deciding whether to attend the University, it feels so special that I now get to give back and work with Development through this internship. I understand the power of alumni stories, and I am so grateful to be able to participate in the production of them – whether it be through digital publishing or in-person events.
My time as an intern has undoubtedly developed my appreciation for the St Andrews community – staff, current students and alumni alike. I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to take on this role which has set me on the path towards pursuing a career in editing and publishing post-graduation. It is times like these that I reflect on myself once again as an eighteen-year-old, debating whether to take the risk of attending an overseas university that I had never seen before. Time and time again, I am forever grateful that I took the leap.
