Beyond Borders: Memorial Graduate Opts for Abroad College Experience in Scotland

“Going far and doing my own thing has been my dream since as long as I can remember; I'm so excited to spread my wings.” 

While other high school graduates hope to spend a semester or, at most, a year studying abroad, recent Memorial High School graduate Leah Otillar chose to spend her entire college experience abroad at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. 

“I’d always known I wanted to go abroad for college,” Otillar said. “Ever since I was in fifth grade, I had pictures of different UK schools hung up on my wall as kind of an academic motivation.” 

According to an article published in London's The Times, “Uh oh, America’s East Coast elite have taken over sleepy St Andrews,” nearly one in five students at University of St Andrews are from the US. Otillar will join this group as she seeks her education abroad. St Andrews is one of the most international universities in the UK with over 135 countries represented in the 2023-2024 student population. Even employees at the University are international, with 25 percent being from outside the UK.

The distance from home weighs more on Otillar’s parents than herself, she said. As the youngest of 3, with an older brother at Tulane University and an older sister at The University of Texas, once she leaves, her parents will be empty nesters. But she hopes they will visit her in Scotland often. 

Leah and mom Laura Otillar on the Old Course in St Andrews, Scotland.

“My mom is really sad because she’s gonna miss me, but my dad is kind of envious because he always wanted to live abroad or do something like that when he was younger,” Otillar said. 

Another unique quality held by St. Andrews is their architecture. With the combination of the gloomy weather and gothic style, the university is almost cinematic.

St Andrews’ campus in springtime. (Photo by Leah Otillar)

“It’s absolutely beautiful,” Otillar said. “All of the architecture is kind of still in that old style that makes you feel like you’re in a Harry Potter movie.” 

Being the youngest sibling has also allowed Otillar to establish her own sense of independence, strengthening her ability to transition to life in a new country. 

“I’m pretty confident in my ability to meet new people because I’m the youngest child, so I think I’m prepared in that aspect,” Otillar said. 

Going abroad for college has also been proved as financially advantageous compared to a typical out-of-state public or private university in the United States. 

“It’s 25 thousand dollars a year for international tuition… that’s less than half of most out-of-state US schools. You have to factor in travel to Scotland but, still, I think it's a pretty decent price for university,” Otillar said. 

Leah Otillar hangs in castle ruins across from her new dorm, one of the oldest buildings on campus.

At St Andrews, Otillar plans to study politics and philosophy. 

“I am hoping to pursue a career in international diplomacy, so learning about politics especially at an international level will be super helpful.”

Otillar also plans to join the lacrosse team at St Andrews. She will travel around the UK for tournaments. 

“I think my parents' biggest fear is that I won't come back to America. They are scared I'm going to meet a British man and he is going to sweep me away to London (which might happen).”

Editor's note: Find out where other incoming freshmen are heading to college. Read Class of 2025: Where are they headed? by Caroline Siegfried.