chickencam Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 Up at 3am left home at 4am back home 10pm Day trip to open day at St Andrews uni. Fab day the weather was stunning as is St Andrews, a real hidden gem. DS has an offer there as does his American girlfriend. He set out yo be as critical as possible not wanting his heart to rule his head, but he was bowled over. The course is better than he had ever imagined, the place was stunning and we found a chip shop with an eat in area that gives you extra chips if you are still hungry. Fish and chips is his favourite meal, that was the icing on the cake. OH said that until now he has never been envious of the children, but he said that he should have looked further north when he went to uni, he only got as far as Durham which he loved but he loved St Andrews, we both want to retire there NOW. Neither of us had flown before either and easyjet did us proud. Well we did go on a light aircraft to the scilly isles many moons ago, but not a big plane. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 Sounds great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 Wow what a great day. I hope everything works out for your DS. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 That sounds wonderful. I really hope he gets in! Not heard of anyone choosing a uni due to fish n chips before I know that wasn't his only reason btw. We shall be doing the uni trips this time next year for ED She is looking at Durham so would be interested to hear your hubby's take on it. My daughter uses a wheelchair and crutches so would love to know just how steep Durham is for her to get about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 St Andrews certainly is beautiful, especially if you're lucky enough to get good weather! We went for an Open Day for YS but he didn't get an offer despite having the grades and a great personal statement - it's very hard to get into so well done to your son . The only thing I would mention is that because St Andrews is so small and is slightly out on a limb public transport-wise, some people find it a bit claustrophobic and lacking in "things to do". That's not a problem for a lot of people though so I'm sure your son will love it (having his girlfriend there would certainly compensate ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted March 13, 2014 Author Share Posted March 13, 2014 My two woosy children haven't gone in today, DS I think was going down with something yesterday and YD had earache from the flight, she had a bad cold last week. Fortunately, neither of them are party animals, he loved the small cosy feel of it all and the fact that once there everything us within walking distance. ED spent her first year in Bristol either on buses from her halls or walking 5 miles a day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted March 13, 2014 Author Share Posted March 13, 2014 That sounds wonderful. I really hope he gets in! Not heard of anyone choosing a uni due to fish n chips before I know that wasn't his only reason btw. We shall be doing the uni trips this time next year for ED She is looking at Durham so would be interested to hear your hubby's take on it. My daughter uses a wheelchair and crutches so would love to know just how steep Durham is for her to get about. Durham is a lovely city, but there are a lot of hills and most of the colleges are up hill from the city, and the streets are also narrow. Having said that he was there 30 odd years ago so access for less mobile people may well have been improved. He also said that during his time there was no integration between locals and students, no real direct hostility but it was a them and us culture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Princess Leia Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 The whole of the area around St Andrews (The East Neuk of Fife) is beautiful and a favourite place of ours. Lots of little fishing villages, lots of places for walking, etc. Most people overlook it on their way further north. It also has a much drier climate in general than the west coast and doesn't get plagued by midges. This was in the Guardian recently... http://www.theguardian.com/money/2014/jan/24/lets-move-to-the-east-neuk-fife-scotland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted March 13, 2014 Author Share Posted March 13, 2014 The comments on that article are interesting, locals who don't want the area to turn into the next must have a cottage place and other people who say that an injection of new blood from time to time really helps communities. It is always difficult. The thing we liked about the area is that despite the regular visits by especially American tourists, it hasn't been made in any way tacky or touristy. There are a few gift shops, but they were mostly good quality and not fly by night. We only saw one tacky Kate and Wills met here sign. it all felt very respectable but unstuffy and genuine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnie&Moose Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 Hi Bluekarin - I lived in Durham (and taught at the university) until 2000 - I loved living and working there, but parts of the city are very hilly, the university library is out of the centre, up a steep hill, and the city centre has narrow, cobbled streets in the bits around the cathedral, the Castle, and the colleges close to the cathedral close - so moving around, particularly when it snows or is wet, could be a little challenging for your daughter I would imagine. And even by the time I left (2000) there was a very big separation between the town and the university and I suspect that still persists, given the comments of some of my ex colleagues and friends who are still there. But - I had a lovely time there and still miss many things about the place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 It sounds lovely What degree is he doing? I didn't got to university and don't mind admitting being a little envious of some of the opportunites my childen have ahead of them - in the nicest way of course Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted March 13, 2014 Author Share Posted March 13, 2014 It is the same with me, I didn't go to university and in some ways wish that I had. ED is in her second year of a law degree at Bristol and loves student life. DS is going to do Geography, at the moment with a view to teaching, but there are many opportunities, he particularly likes the fact that at St Andrews it is a 4 year course but you come out with a masters degree and he can take several modules in other related subjects during his course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 14, 2014 Share Posted March 14, 2014 Won't be long before we're at that stage too. Rosie used to say that she wanted to go to Oxford so she could still live at home, but I have insisted that she lives away, in halls at first; she needs the experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted March 14, 2014 Share Posted March 14, 2014 We're not too far from St Andrews, we usually pop in once a month for the farmers market but we normally drive to Anstruther for fish and chips - I think the place you went to is pretty expensive if I recall correctly. We often go to Mitchell's deli in St Andrews as they have a really good cafe area that a lot of students frequent. My YD was offered a place at uni there but turned up it down , in favour of Aberdeen, I think it was to close to home . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted March 14, 2014 Author Share Posted March 14, 2014 Our ED has only gone 40 miles to Bristol, but she did turn down an offer for uni of Gloucestershire with a scholarship and a two year course, but which is less than a mile away The chip shop was quite expensive but we decided that it was a special occasion, I forgotten how close we were to Anstruther, must go next time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helenc Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 We made the same trip at the weekend!! My daughter went on an open day in October with her friend and loved it, she got her offer in January for entry to the 2nd year for Maths but had offers from other universities so wanted to wait until she had been to all of the offer holders days before deciding, unfortunately she still can't decide so we went back to St Andrews and next weekend we are going back to Bath - I hope she will then be able to make a decision. I really liked St Andrews and can imagine her being very happy there, although Bath is lovely too! Has your son chosen it as his firm choice? Good luck for his results - they may end up there at the same time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
