Student Stories
Nurse, designer, doctor: Ana Pavao on becoming all three
Third-year ScotGEM student Ana Pavao reflects on her path from graphic design and nursing in Brazil and Scotland to medicine, and why it's never too late to start.Third-year ScotGEM student Ana PavaoI'm Ana Pavao and I started ScotGEM in 2024. I did not grow up...
Poppy Fairbairn: Finding My Place in Medicine at St Andrews
First-year MBChB (ScotCOM) student Poppy Fairbairn shares how community, hands-on learning, and student life have shaped her first year studying medicine at St Andrews.Poppy in her traditional red gown after participating in the Pier WalkI’m Poppy Fairbairn and I...
Clinical skills, real confidence: Kelsey Wilson’s third-year reflections
Kelsey, a Third Year BSc (Hons) Student reflects on the growth of her clinical skills. Kelsey Wilson, Third Year BSc (Hons) StudentHi! My name is Kelsey Wilson and I’m a third year BSc (Honours) student. Clinical skills have always been the cornerstone for my...
Following in her grandfather’s footsteps: a student’s path to surgery
First-year BSc (Hons) Medicine student Layla Ferguson shares her experience of starting her medical degree at St Andrews.First-year BSc (Hons) Medicine student Layla Ferguson (L).My name is Layla, and I am a first-year medical student on the A100 Medicine BSc (Hons)...
From documentary filmmaker to doctor: Lily Brodnax-Bell’s path to ScotGEM
Third-year ScotGEM student Lily Brodnax-Bell reflects on leaving a career in TV documentary production to pursue graduate entry medicine, drawn by ScotGEM's focus on rural placements and early patient contact.Third-year ScotGEM student Lily Brodnax-Bell (left) with...
Caitlain Willox on making the leap from oil and gas to medicine
First-year ScotGEM student Caitlain Willox reflects on leaving a career in oil and gas supply chain management to pursue graduate entry medicine, drawn by the programme's hands-on, case-based approach.First-year ScotGEM student Caitlain WilloxI’m Caitlain Willox and I...
Hugh Connolly on trading a career in media design for ScotGEM
Third-year ScotGEM student Hugh Connolly shares how a career change from Media Design led him to medicine and a passion for rural healthcare.Third-year ScotGEM student Hugh ConnollyI’m Hugh Connolly and I started ScotGEM in 2024, so I’m just about to move into third...
From psychology to patient care: Kate’s journey into medicine
First-year graduate entry medical student Kate Ruddy shares how a Psychology degree shaped her journey to ScotGEMFirst-year ScotGEM student Kate RuddyHi, I'm Kate Ruddy, and I'm a first-year graduate entry medical student on the ScotGEM programme. Before starting...
Inside the dissection room: how hands-on anatomy shapes medical students
First year BSc (Hons) student Dong Min Huh shares his experience in the Dissection Room.If you asked 100 medical students what the best part of studying Medicine in St Andrews is, I’d confidently bet that most of them would give the same answer: the opportunity to do...
It’s the perfect place to be a medical student
Third-year BSc (Hons) Medicine student Ruth Adler shares her journey into medicine at St Andrews.Ruth represents Teddy Bear Hospital at the Freshers’ FayreI didn’t always want to study medicine, but after exploring all the options, I felt that a career that mixes...