Student experiences

Name: Megan Bredeson
From: Hudson, WI (United States)
Year of study: 4th year
Degree intention: MA Art History and Italian

What I enjoy most about modern languages is the exposure to foreign cultures and new ways of life. A language is not merely grammar and vocabulary; it is the cornerstone to how a population communicates, and I’ve enjoyed exploring that in both my classes and everyday life. During my year in Milan I lived with a family and taught Italian students. Both abroad and in Italian society, I have met wonderful friends who give me joy and challenge my intellect in ways that would never have been possible had I not known their language.

Name:  Antonia Storey
From:  Durham
Year of study: 3rd year
Degree intention:  Master of Arts (Honours) German (With Integrated Year Abroad)

Studying German at St Andrews gives you the opportunity to learn alongside other really enthusiastic students with a shared interest in communication.  People who are involved with languages love to talk because that’s essentially what our degree is so classes are fun and engaging and the small size of the department means a good relationship with the staff too.  I particularly love the extra-curricular opportunities that studying German has given me –from volunteering at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin last summer to spending a year skiing and teaching English in the Alps on my Year Abroad. Learning languages here allows you to expand your interests into other areas too; philosophy, film, cultural relations, linguistics, history and literature so there really is something for everyone.  And if that isn’t enough, the class trips to the German Market in Edinburgh for Glühwein and Lebkuchen really will seal the deal!

Name: Karin Koehler
From: Neu-Anspach, Germany
Year of study: 3
Degree intention: English and French (Master of Arts)

The best thing about studying languages for me is to think outside the box. Every language comes with a set of different cultural ideas, different literature and, most importantly, different people. Studying languages makes it possible to grasp this diversity. I decided not to go on a year abroad, but if I were to start the course again I would do it, not so much for academic reasons but because I believe it is a unique and valuable opportunity that I should not have missed. Yet, I had the choice... another thing I like about studying Modern Languages.

Name: Aleksandra J. Chlon
From: Warsaw, Poland
Year of study: 2nd year
Degree intention: Master of Arts (Honours) French and Russian (With Integrated Year Abroad)

The best thing about studying languages for me is that it opens doors. I love that I can read Gogol’s works in their Russian original without having to rely on a translation that ultimately just isn’t the same, that I can appreciate the untranslatable quirks of Gogol’s style. Speaking several languages also creates opportunities, may they be big or small. You can pick up a French newspaper and understand it, or you can live and work in France and truly integrate with the people, understand a whole different culture (because we all know tourists get treated differently), which I can’t wait to do next year as I spend my year abroad in France and Russia.

 Name: Claire Harrison
From: Leeds, England
Year of Study: 5th year
Degree Intention: Spanish WIYA

Studying Spanish at St Andrews is a varied and rounded experience: I’ve studied the language, read some of the greatest works of Spanish literature (like Don Quijote!), taught Spanish to local primary-school children and spent a year in Zaragoza, teaching and soaking up the culture. As a Spanish student, you really get to know both the tutors and your classmates, who all bring something to help appreciate the diversity of Spanish language and culture. The Hispanic Society is closely linked to the Spanish department (and beyond) and I have greatly enjoyed participating in ‘cenas’ - including the teachers’ cabaret! - lunches and conversation sessions. Our classes have varied from performing a play in first year, to teaching the class in third year and filming a TV show in our final year! Overall, learning Spanish here is different every day, but always engaging, relevant and fun.

Name: Rachel Dixon
From: Glasgow
Year of study: 3rd Year
Degree: MA(Hons) Russian and International Relations (WIYA)

I had not originally planned to study Russian at St Andrews but it’s a decision I’m glad I made, thanks to the excellent language teaching, the department’s friendly atmosphere, and the wide range of literature and history modules offered.  I started learning Russian from scratch in St Andrews and love that after so little time I'm no longer limited to reading the works of great writers like Pushkin and Tolstoy in translation. However, the best thing for me was spending last year in Russia. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to really experience Russian culture and everything this fascinating country has to offer: I can’t wait to move there after I graduate!