A Fresher's Perspective: Where Do All The Students Go?
Deputy Editor Christy Forshaw examines the Ryanair mania that consumes St Andrews at weekends.
Every weekend, tourists descend on St Andrews to enjoy the bountiful pleasures the town has to offer: the beaches, golf courses, restaurants and ruins. Indeed, it’s hard to say whether the town is better known as a university town or a tourist attraction. To this end, there is a deep irony in the fact that every weekend there is a seeming lack of students. As such, where are all the students going? After two semesters in St Andrews, I am finally starting to see the answer: they are falling prey to the charms of Ryanair.
It starts off as a quick trip away during reading week. Then, of course, you are on their mailing list. All of a sudden what started off as a one-time thing becomes Ryanair emailing you at ungodly hours: the phrase ‘where will you explore next?’ seduces you. Next, they start offering deals, and pretty soon you’re spending an hour perusing the £30 return flights to European cities. Eventually, it becomes an addiction and a world-at-your-fingertips mentality. A dangerous mentality, to be sure.
Why is it so dangerous, you ask? Whilst a weekend away sounds lavish, the reason it is so appealing is it can be financially feasible. With St Andrews’ ball or fashion show tickets going for at least £30, if you’re lucky, return flights could be the same price, or even cheaper. It’s also no secret that food and drink in St Andrews is expensive.
However, I would urge you to proceed with caution in this jet-setting leisure. First of all, costs of flights cannot be discussed without mentioning the environmental impact that would advocate much more in favour of a trip to the highlands or other beautiful areas of Scotland easily accessible from St Andrews by train. Moreover, it leads to a kind of disparate culture at St Andrews. Travelling abroad is great for strengthening pre-existing friendships (or in some cases ruining them) but it means you’re not meeting new people at your university and on the weekend the remaining students are forced to dejectedly surrender the town to tourists and admit that nightlife is better on the weekdays.
To this end, take this as a cautionary tale. Whilst the temptations of Ryanair are plentiful, it is a greedy lover that will demand all your attention and before you know it you won’t feel connected to St Andrews anymore. Therefore, forget the Louvre and hit the Union instead.