GatewayAbroad

While it might seem like Im belaboring the point about history on this blog, it is very important to understanding so many of the things that make this university so distinctive. St Andrews, for example, is one of (if not the) only university left in the world were undergraduates wear a distinctive gown. The origins of this Harry Potter esque garment go back as far as the Universitys founding. Originally, it was intended to identify students so that they wouldnt frequent pubs and brothels. Now, its use is more ceremonial, and students here wear the red gown to chapel services, debates, formal dinners, and other official university occasions. During orientation, I learned that it is illegal for pub owners to serve alcohol to students wearing the gown (a reminder of its original purpose&), and that three or more students wearing gowns can legally constitute a procession and stop traffic. With small British cars speeding down narrow medieval lanes all over the town, its hard enough to cross the street let alone stop traffic&needless to say, I dont think Ill be testing that law anytime soon! As a third year arts student, I wore my gown hanging off the left shoulder- as your years at St Andrews progress, students gradually shed the gown until by the fourth year it hangs very low on your back. My first chance to wear it was on Sunday for the university opening service and pier walk. Traditionally, St Andrews students process through town and down the pier and back on Sunday mornings after the University Chapel service. Its a great time to socialize and take part in one of the Universitys oldest traditions. According to campus lore, the tradition of the pier walk may have begun when students processed down to the pier and harbor to greet and send off dignitaries visiting the University. Alternatively, another story suggests that it began when St Andrews students walked down to the pier and threw their mortarboard caps into the sea to protest the University admitting women for the first time in the late nineteenth century. To this day, mortarboards are never worn at St Andrews, even at graduation! I also started my first classes this week, both of which are on Tuesday. Since they only meet once a week, Im now looking forward to a six day weekend! Despite the infrequent class meetings, each class was two hours long and the reading is quite extensive&overall, however, I really enjoyed my classes (The Black Death and Peasants Revolt in England and Imperial and Christian Constantinople) and was fascinated by the material. Its also great having dynamic and stimulating professors. Their lectures were engaging and sophisticated, and I can already say that these will probably be some of the best classes Ive ever taken. While the expectations are high, the whole experience is fascinating and Im looking forward to the semester ahead!