Student Stories: “It’s a home away from home”
First-year BSc (Hons) Medicine student Dong Min Huh shares his experience starting his medical degree at St Andrews.
If you told me one year ago that I would become a medical student, I wouldn’t have believed you. After all, the jump from high school to medical school can seem so daunting! Back then, I imagined medical school as an endless stream of non-stop studying and sleepless nights, and I wasn’t sure if I could get through that.
My name is Dong Min, and I’m a first-year medic at St Andrews studying on the A100 BSc (Hons) programme. Looking back at the first few weeks that I’ve spent here at St Andrews, I can confidently say that the transition has definitely been not as bad as I had anticipated. Ranging from societies such as PALS (the Peer-Assisted Learning Scheme), to my lecturers being willing to answer every question I’ve asked, the support system for students – especially first years – has been unparalleled. A personal highlight for me has been making friends with the second-year students, who are all extremely eager to impart some of their wisdom after getting through their first year! Knowing that I wasn’t alone in figuring everything out has made the transition so much easier than I expected.
As medical students, we follow a very structured course that ensures all students are given the same opportunities and teaching. The course goes through each organ system and is supplemented with relevant practical and dissections sessions, giving students the chance for both theoretical understanding and hands-on learning! I will never forget my first anatomy practical session; it was a privilege and a humbling experience to learn about the human body in a way no textbook or diagram could adequately convey.
At this point, you may be asking if medics can still have a life outside of studying. The short answer is: definitely! One of the many reasons that I chose to study at St Andrews is the diverse traditions they have to make you feel welcome. From the very first week, students are encouraged to wear their elegant red robes and partake in one of the longest running traditions at St Andrews: the Pier Walk! The tradition I’m most excited about is the foam fight with our academic families during Raisin Weekend.
All of these experiences, both academic and social, have made my time here incredibly rewarding. If I had to apply to university again, St Andrews would remain my top choice. Even in this short time, it’s become more than just where I study medicine – it’s truly a home away from home.