September 7-11: Hello St Andrews!

Monday, September 7: A Mixed Bag

     Monday, I woke for breakfast and went headed into town so I could attend the Opening Ceremony for Science. I approached Younger Hall, where it was to be held, and a security guard quickly redirected me to the end of the "queue." This massive line went back perhaps half a mile. Slowly but surely, all of the students in the science disciplines excitedly piled into the auditorium. 

     The ceremony was very nice. The speakers were funny, the procession was prestigious, and the music spanned from serious songs in Latin to fun parodies tailored to St Andrews. Everyone had a good time, and though it was long, it was an exciting start of the year, filled with the well wishes and advice of professors. You'd think it would be boring, but it was very entertaining. They even had a bagpipe player (pictured left) to serenade our entrance and exit.

     Because the ceremony went over in time, I missed lunch. So, I went by Tesco, the local grocery store, and I picked up some crispbreads, breakfast biscuits, and peanut butter to keep in my room. After a tasty lunch of peanut butter and crispbreads, I returned to my dorm and headed to what would end up being a terrible experience.

     My goals for the afternoon were to 1) matriculate, 2) attend my advising meeting, and 3) collect my missing BRP card. When I arrived at the gateway building, they put me in a 20 minute line, and when I got to the front, they sent me to another 20 minute line. At the front of that line, they sent me into a shorter line where I was allowed into the BRP card-issuing room. They didn't have my card ready, so I proceeded to my advising appointment.

     To receive advising, I had to stand in another line, until I was redirected to a waiting room. I waited there until I was allowed to see my adviser. When I met my adviser, he said hello and continued to read comments on social media. I asked him if I was in the right place, and he said, "Oh yes, I do apologize, I'm being quite rude," yet he continued to look on social media for another several minutes. When he finally got to me, his advice was discouraging.

     He approved my enrollment in perception and cognition classes, but my request to enroll in neuroscience, he denied. "These are the only courses my college has approved me to take," I explained, "Nothing else will transfer back." However, he explained that the course is meant for students who have already taken an intro to neuroscience class, which my school does not offer. JMU covers the basics and brings you into advanced neuroscience all in one biopsychology class. My adviser enrolled me in the lower level neuroscience. I appealed to my college to get credit for it, but I really didn't have confidence that I would succeed in that. Because this class is less credits, it also poses other issues, and I had to enroll in another psychology class, Conceptual Issues and Theoretical Perspectives, which certainly would not transfer back to JMU. It was frustrating. At the end of this time, we knew I still needed to add a just-for-fun class to my schedule, in order for me to remain a full-time student. I wanted to take a Bible class, so he sent me to wait for the Divinity adviser.

     When I got to see the Divinity adviser, he recommended I not take the class I hoped to take, which was The Reformation and Early Modern Theology. I tried to explain my background knowledge of the Bible and Theology, but he felt it would be too hard for me. He told me to go home and pick out another class, then email him to enroll in something easier.

     I was really quite ready to leave, so I headed toward the exit, despite the fact that I had not matriculated (enrolled in the college). I would do that tomorrow, I told myself. However, when I reached the exit, I found - can you believe - another line! To leave! They would not let you leave without standing in line. Dejected, I stood in a 20 minute line to have my ID checked. When I got to the front, she said she couldn't check my ID until I had received my official ID check, so I had to return to the original 20 minute line, where they could do that.

     When I got to the front of that line, they said they couldn't do my ID check without my BRP card! I returned to the line to leave, explained the issue, and they let me through - to another line. They would not let you leave until they had checked your health records. Yes, I made it in this exit line 20 minutes before I threw my reserve into the wind and walked past the line, past the health checks, and out the door. I had to escape.

     They're offering these "services" every day this week, so I will return for my BRP card, get my ID checked, and show them my health records later in the week when my BRP card arrives. Since this time, I have been emailing both JMU and St Andrews, trying to work something out in my schedule. 

     After a nice dinner, I went to my dorm's karaoke night. It was fun, for a time, but my roommate and I left early and had a lovely evening, chatting for hours before going to bed. The day ended well, and as my roommate encouraged me, "In China we say, because you have had such bad luck today, you are storing up good luck for tomorrow." I thought that was really sweet, and I really was hopeful that the next day would be better.

Tuesday, September 8: A Turn for the Better

     I woke up and was not ready to face the day. I skipped breakfast and worked on my schedule. 

     The next activity I had planned was to meet my "buddy." I signed up for the academic buddy system, which pairs international students with older students who help them in their transition. I was very excited to meet mine, and we had been talking for a while on facebook, and she seemed really cool. We met for coffee at Costa and talked, and we got along very well.

     At St Andrews, there is a longstanding tradition of academic families. This means that older students "adopt" younger students, so you have a mom and dad, brothers and sisters, as well as extended families of each of your parents. This system connects the whole college. Your academic parents shape your time at St Andrews and are an important part of your experience. Your parents often have weekly "family dinners," and you form close friendships through the other things you do together as well. One exciting activity facilitated by academic families is Raisin weekend. There will be more info I'll share about this as the day approaches, but let's just say that it involves dressing up in costumes and the world's biggest foam fight.

     All this to preface the end to my story with my "buddy." It was quite an exciting highlight of my day, because I got adopted! This is a big deal here, like getting accepted into a sorority. I was thrilled, and my buddy is now my academic "mum." After coffee, she showed me around town, to a castle, some ruins, the iconic St Andrews pier, and to the beautiful quad where the psychology building finds its home. 

    I returned to John Burnet for lunch, and then... have you seen chariots of fire? The famous running scene was shot at St Andrews' West Sands beach, which is just across the road from my dorm. I got pumped up with some music (bum bum ba ba bum bum, cshhhh, bum bum ba ba buuuumm...) and went running on these iconic sands. I felt like throwing up after, but the exercise gave me the good endorphins I needed to finish working on my schedule. I sent emails and made decisions for a couple hours before dinner.

     My roommate and I spent the rest of the evening at a Doctor Who Pub Quiz, which was a refreshingly nerdy breath of fresh air.

Wednesday, September 9: Out on the Town

     Following a quiet and restful morning, I decided to see what I could see in the town. Despite the fact that a couple people had shown me around , I never really feel that I know a place until I have navigated it on my own, with no one else's sense of direction on which to rely. St Andrews is a very small town, basically consisting of three long roads. I first headed down North Street, stopping in shops along the way. Soon, I came across the famous Northpoint, which is where William and Kate used to have coffee dates. It was incredibly lovely. I had a lemon and blueberry scone with creme and jam, as well as a pot of earl grey tea. Nothing could be more up my ally. 

     When I reached the end of North Street, I approached the ruins. I walked around and hoped to climb up in the tower, but it was unavailable, so that's an adventure I'll have to save for another day.

     Near the ruins lie the sea, which is incredibly clear water through which you can see right to the bottom. Here at St Andrews, the sky and the sea are famous for sharing the same grayish color.

     I skipped the middle street, and headed down South Street. Here, I saw many cute shops, including The Edinburgh Woollen, where I managed to get one of those nice, heavy Scottish sweaters at a steal, for only about $13.50. It's freezing here, and I've already discovered that I'm going to need to stock up on sweaters.

     Next, I headed up the middle road, Market Street, and I saw many other places which typify the character of this quaint yet prestigious town. I was able to finish my school supply shopping and even buy some posters to brighten up my room.

    By this time, it was already past 2, so I headed to the Psychology and Neuroscience Welcome, at the Secret Garden on St Mary's Quad. It's really beautiful, and though it's further away, I'm really delighted that this is where my classes will be this semester. While at this event, I tried Jammy Dodgers, a popular British treat, which were as delicious as they promised to be. 

    After this event, I returned to my dorm - shivering! I was delighted, upon my return, to change into warmer clothes. I was even more delighted, however, to realize I had received permission from JMU to take the classes St Andrews wanted me to take. This means that all my scheduling difficulties have been solved! I am very relieved and now look forward to the semester without any fears.
     I went down to the beach to find a nice place to do my devotions, but as the sand was quite damp, I couldn't find a place to sit. Instead, I took a nice walk on the beach, exploring its interesting features and collecting seashells.

Thursday, September 10: A Bit of Insanity

     After a morning run, breakfast with some lovely hallmates, and continued studies of Leviticus, I headed to the Union in town to attend a "Volunteer Fayre." I hoped to get involved with local volunteer day projects, but it mostly represented charities recruiting new board members. This did not apply much to me as a semester-long student, but I did look into a few charities which might prove to offer interesting involvement.

     I next went to the library to check out a copy of my textbook - I wanted to get a head start on my reading! After a short time walking around town, I returned to John Burnet for lunch and afterwards started my reading my textbook. I'm really excited for classes to start. I love school. I really actually enjoy reading and studying.

     In the afternoon, I attended an International Student Welcome at the Scores Hotel right off St Andrews' famous golf course (not this really fancy one you see on the right, but it does typify the types of hotels which line the course). It was a really lovely time, getting to meet and chat with students from all over the world. We all encouraged each other and offered advice on tackling various challenges as an international student.
     Next I headed to my academic mom's house for tea and scones. There, I got to spend time with my whole academic family. It was a lovely time as my "parents," "sister," "brother," and I all spent family time together.

     To top off the night with some excitement, I attended the biggest event of the week - Starfields. When I bought the (rather expensive) tickets for this event, it was advertised as a charity fashion show. Somehow, the event ended up being nothing of the sort. On my way back from tea, I grabbed some fish and chips, and then I followed the masses of people headed downtown for the party. All my friends were already in the courtyard where it was held, and I expected to join them there. Little did I realize that the line outside the venue, filled with people with tickets waiting to get checked, would fill a long alleyway, trapping me by myself in a crowd which was becoming out of control. The alleyway became increasingly packed, and soon, I could not move at all, let alone make my way through the crowd. We were packed like sardines, and people began to shove. The energy was enough to make me say a quick prayer for safety. I thought it was very sweet when a Scottish boy noticed I was by myself and told me to stick with his group. He lead his friends and me through the crowd, occasionally pausing to warn us of broken glass. When we finally made it through the crowd, he made sure I found my friends before saying goodbye.
     The party was as out-of-control as the line. I danced with my friends for a bit, but the venue was packed, and the crowd was shoving and leaning so that you had to struggle to even stay standing. We left the dancing area and found some other friends. After meeting a lot of new people and talking for a bit, my friend Jess and I found a pub, and we spent the evening in a much calmer setting, which was very enjoyable and much more my pace.

Friday, September 11: Deported?

     Friday morning, I ventured back into the building of horrors to hand in my health form and inquire after my missing BRP card. However, when I arrived, a janitor informed me that they had moved offices across town.
      I headed downtown to find the new office. When I arrived, the news was discouraging: Something is wrong with my passport, and I'll have to leave the country and re-enter to get the stamp that I need to study here. However, they were very nice and will allow me to attend classes for the next two weeks until I am able to make the trip.
      After this news, I recovered with a pot of chamomile. Then I walked about half an hour, against some bitter winds, to the local hospital to hand in a form. I was very glad when I found a bus I that would take me back to town.

     I spent the rest of the day napping and trying to form some semblance of a travel plan. Please be praying for me, and if you have any advice or help, do let me know! Thanks, all, for taking the time to read my blog. I feel so loved by your support.