Calling our community of giving
Jakub Lewandowski is a third-year undergraduate and Wardlaw Scholar studying International Relations and is taking part in the University’s telephone campaign for a second year. He explains what he’s most looking forward to when he’s catching up with alumni and friends.
I was born in Poland but grew up in Belfast, having moved there at the age of five. When it came to choosing a university, I knew I wanted to spread my wings and the four-year degree system in Scotland with its flexibility in module choices across different subjects particularly appealed to me. St Andrews stood out because of its many traditions – things like academic families sounded fun and were a real draw for me.
Small-town living
Fast forward a few years and I’m now in my third year studying International Relations. I started out in Whitehorn Hall during my first year and am now sharing a flat with friends in town.
The sense of community is special. If a friend mentions a café, pub or street, you instantly know where that is. Speaking to friends at other universities, it’s clear that’s something really unique about St Andrews. My favourite haunts are the Cottage Kitchen for lunch or Aikman’s on Bell Street for a relaxed evening with board games. I also love running into someone I know while running errands or walking to class – we always stop for a chat!
Interdisciplinary learning
I love the variety of modules offered by the School of International Relations and am currently enjoying studying International Law and Emotional Diplomacy. Both are really interesting. I’ve also participated in the Vertically Integrated Project ‘Visualising Peace’, which seeks to explore different approaches to peace. I value the interdisciplinary nature of the project and appreciate the opportunity to learn from my fellow students.
When I’m not studying, I serve as an outreach officer at The Political Institute of Action Research (PIAR). We are a society modelled on a student-led think tank and run several projects each semester. I’ve particularly enjoyed my time with the society, which included gathering feedback from staff on our research projects and fundraising for local charities. I’ve recently been elected as treasurer for next academic year!
Conversations and career advice
As we go into May, I’m looking forward to taking part in the annual telephone campaign for the second year running. I first heard about it through an email from the Development Office and was extremely interested in helping since I receive one of the Wardlaw Scholarships that the campaign raises funds for.
I feel so fortunate to benefit from my scholarship and am making the most of every opportunity at St Andrews, so I wanted to do my bit to give back to the community and support current and future students. It’s also a great way to gain valuable transferable skills and I absolutely love speaking to alumni from all walks of life – many of them have given me valuable career advice!
Thank you
I would like to thank alumni and friends who are considering supporting the 2024 telephone campaign – every gift matters. Contributions – great or small – make a massive difference to students who would otherwise not be able to study at our amazing university.
After the campaign, I’ll be participating in the Civil Service Summer Internship Programme with the hope of getting a positive appraisal to apply for the Civil Service Fast Stream Graduate Programme next year.
For now, I’m looking forward to speaking with some of you in the coming weeks!
Find out more about this year’s telephone campaign here.