22/11/2024
Route of the Flying Scotsman:
Notes from York St John
What a difference eight years makes. After six academic years, my journey to become a qualified journalist and photographer was finally realised as I walked across the stage in the nave of York Minster to graduate as a Master of Fine Arts with Merit in Photography from York St John University a week ago, having secured my Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Journalism from Edinburgh Napier during lockdown four years ago.
Funded by over 200 days in an Amazon warehouse during the coronavirus pandemic and over 400 shifts in Greggs across four stores with zero absences, I learned how to drive, lease a car and fly a drone. Completing 50 assignments across 12 semesters with no resits, I volunteered with six societies across three universities and worked on three virtual internships. Many times, I didn’t succeed, but I applied myself (in both senses) regardless.
I read, wrote and photographed for a student newspaper, produced, hosted and edited a podcast series and won awards for being the ‘nerdiest national stereotype’ that there has probably ever been! I commuted, lived in student accommodation, rocked up at house parties and danced beyond midnight in the nightclubs of your dreams. I became a triple Microsoft Office Specialist and Associate of the Royal Photographic Society as well as Global Campus and Student Ambassadors to encourage international and prospective domestic students to invest in themselves through higher education. I truly believe that it is the way.
With bachelor’s and master’s degrees, studying and volunteering abroad opportunities across Scotland, England, Norway and Cambodia, respectively, my friendships now envelope the globe and have proven to be the greatest experience of my life. Without doubt, they have captured my imagination and have given me the confidence to feel as though I am finally reaching my potential. Without them, the work wouldn’t be worth it.
I visited the Netherlands, Germany then Italy. I hiked Preikestolen, climbed the Leaning Tower of Pisa then watched the sun rise and set over Angkor Wat. From here, I intend to finish the other half of the Microsoft certifications, undertake CELTA to be able to teach English as a foreign language and join the media staff on a summer camp in the United States of America, the third and final global opportunity from my English alma mater.
Know this –
You can go anywhere.
You can learn anything.
It’s only a matter of trying.
And, at any moment, you can change everything.
To the Class of 2024.
We move. Xx
