2024 Robert Burns Scottish Scholars

“A whirlwind of fun, challenges, laughter, learning, and adventure,” is how Year 12 student, Olivia Bloom, describes the three-week adventure to Scotland she and Jake Elvidge (also Year 12) experienced when they each visited five different schools in Term 3, and were immersed in Scottish culture as the 2024 Robert Burns Scholars.

“It was incredible to meet so many people from many different countries. Learning to navigate my way around airports and train stations at the time was stressful, but the independence and confidence I gained is what made the trip so special. One of the most memorable moments was our final dinner in Dumfries in the famous Globe Inn. Jake and I sat down with various Presidents from different Robert Burns associations and got to witness a true Scottish recital of Burns’ work by an award-winning reciter.”

Visits to castles, trying haggis, and Irn-Bru, climbing a 3000-foot Munro, seeing the northern lights, and attending a professional football game were some of Jake’s other highlights, as well as making lots of new friends at the various schools, he says. “Sport was a great introduction to some amazing people. I played cricket, basketball, and rugby with some great teammates and made some lifelong friendships on the trip.”

St Andrew’s sent its first scholars to Scotland in 2006, and since 2018, the programme has been named the Robert Burns Scottish Scholars in recognition of the beloved 17th century Scottish poet. Rector, Christine Leighton, says Olivia and Jake returned with warm tales of Scottish hospitality, Celtic architecture, and of course, bagpipes and haggis. They were ‘great ambassadors’ for the College, she adds.

After arriving in Scotland, Olivia and Jake separated to visit the five schools on their individual itineraries. This saw them visit various parts of Scotland, including Edinburgh, St Andrew’s, Elgin, Crieff, Perth, Dumfries, Dunblane, Aberdeen, and Dundee. They were reunited at the end of the trip for the special visit to the Robert Burns Centre in Dumfries, where they were hosted by the Robert Burns Federation.

“Jake and I learnt so much more about the life Burns had and the legacy he left behind. We felt we could appreciate his works and lasting influence on a deeper level,” says Olivia, who is St Andrew’s current Head of Well-being and is a passionate dancer, debater, and hockey player.

During the adventure, the students enjoyed a mixture of homestays and boarding, which was a new experience they both enjoyed.

Jake, a multi-talented sportsman and performer at St Andrew’s, says the ‘incredible’ host families he stayed with were another highlight. “These were some of the best people you could meet. I was treated as part of the family and taken to some amazing restaurants and events with them.”

Olivia’s homestay family in St Andrew’s taught her to play golf, which ended with her playing a full round on the Balgrove Course. Together, the students enjoyed their first try at the sport of curling.

Both agree the scholarship was a ‘life-changing’ opportunity, which has changed their outlook on the world and their interactions with people.

“This is by far the best experience of my life to date and can be summed up by a line from a Burns’ poem, Catch the moments as they fly, says Jake.

Olivia and Jake are grateful to all who contributed to the scholarship, particularly Director of International Students and Exchanges, Palē Tauti, Rector, Christine Leighton, and Rob Bruce-Barron (OC 1953) whose generosity in sponsoring the scholarships makes the trip possible.