First Abroad: Ewan’s Favourite Spots at William & Mary
Ewan is a first-year St Andrews student in History. He went to William & Mary for a week on the First Abroad Programme – read about his experience below!
Spending a week at William & Mary was more than just an academic opportunity, it was a full cultural and historical immersion. As one of the oldest higher education institutions in the United States, the College of William & Mary offers a unique blend of academic prestige, colonial charm, and vibrant student life. Coming from St Andrews, a university rich in tradition and history, I was curious to see how another centuries-old institution across the Atlantic compared. What I found was a warm, welcoming environment that offered both comfort and a deep sense of place. From living in Chandler Hall and wandering the Sunken Gardens to stepping into the past in Colonial Williamsburg, my time at William & Mary was filled with new experiences, thoughtful moments, and a surprising sense of connection.
My Week at Chandler Hall
During my week-long exchange, I was placed in Chandler Hall, one of the university’s residence halls located near the heart of campus. As someone who commutes to St Andrews, the concept of living on campus, even just for a week, was new and exciting. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from American dorm life, but Chandler quickly made me feel at home.
The hall had a suite-style layout, where two rooms shared a connecting bathroom. Though I had the room to myself, it was easy to imagine how the setup would create a natural sense of camaraderie among students. My room was simple but comfortable, with a large window that let in plenty of Virginia sunlight. The soft hum of conversation and movement in the hallway gave the space a sense of life, even during quiet hours.
What truly stood out were the common spaces. On the main floor, there was a lounge with cozy chairs and a TV where students would gather to watch movies, chat, or catch a break from studying. The kitchen was modest but well-used, there was a kind of rhythm to it, with the scent of reheated leftovers or baked cookies occasionally drifting into the corridor. One evening, I ended up chatting with a few students while waiting for the microwave, and we ended up comparing British and American campus life. It was one of those spontaneous moments that you only really get in shared living spaces and of course, there was the vending machine room, strangely iconic in its own way. Chandler felt like a microcosm of university life, equal parts independence, routine, and unexpected connection.
Experiencing the Sunken Gardens
If Chandler was where I rested and connected, the Sunken Gardens were where I found peace. Located in the middle of campus, this open rectangular lawn is bordered by red-brick academic buildings and shaded by old trees that seem to hum with history. It quickly became my favourite spot, not just for its beauty, but for how it encapsulated the pace and personality of student life at William & Mary.
During the day, the gardens were alive with quiet activity. Students walked briskly to classes, others sat under trees or on benches, reading or chatting. Some lounged directly on the grass, laptops out or simply soaking in the sun. There was something calming about the way people used the space so naturally, like an outdoor living room. It reminded me a lot of St Andrews’ Quad, though the Sunken Gardens had a softer, more laid-back atmosphere – maybe it was the warm Virginia breeze, or the sound of birds kinder than seagulls.
I spent several afternoons just sitting there, taking it all in. On one of my last evenings, I walked through as the sun was setting and the campus was bathed in golden light. It was that quiet hour when everything slows down for a moment before evening activities begin. It struck me how students here weren’t rushing or glued to their phones. They were just…present. It’s something I want to carry with me back home, the art of simply existing in a beautiful space.
A Visit to Colonial Williamsburg
Of all the places I explored during my week at William & Mary, none left quite the impression that Colonial Williamsburg did. Located just beyond the edge of campus, it’s not merely a tourist attraction, it’s a living, breathing part of the town and by extension, student life. You can quite literally walk out of a lecture hall and find yourself in the 18th century.
Walking through Colonial Williamsburg feels like stepping onto a film set, but one that’s been running continuously for hundreds of years. The streets are lined with preserved buildings, taverns, workshops, government buildings, all restored or rebuilt to reflect their original state from the 1700s. Costumed interpreters stroll along the cobbled paths, engaging in conversations as if the American Revolution were just around the corner. It’s immersive in the best way, educational, theatrical, and oddly grounding.
We visited several places during our tour: a blacksmith’s forge where iron sparked as it had for centuries, a printing press shop still operating in the traditional style, and the Governor’s Palace with its manicured gardens and rich furnishings. Each space had its own story, and the interpreters were passionate about sharing them, not just the major historical events, but also the daily lives of ordinary people, including enslaved individuals and women whose stories often go untold.
What struck me most was how integrated Colonial Williamsburg is into everyday life. Locals walk through the area as a shortcut. Students head there for coffee, or even just to get off campus for a bit. History isn’t sectioned off here, it’s part of the daily rhythm, which makes it even more powerful. The presence of the past doesn’t weigh down the community; it enriches it.
Conclusion
My week at William & Mary was short, but it felt remarkably full. Living on campus at Chandler Hall gave me a taste of student community life in a way I don’t usually get as a commuter. The Sunken Gardens became a personal retreat, a place of calm and reflection in the middle of the day. Visiting Colonial Williamsburg was a reminder that history isn’t just something we study, it’s something we live alongside.
What stood out to me most wasn’t just the individual places or experiences; it was how they all fit together. William & Mary isn’t just a university in a historic town; it’s a university of its town, shaped by its surroundings and its past. I left feeling more connected, to people, to place, and to a broader story that stretches back centuries. It’s a rare thing to feel both comforted and challenged by a place, but William & Mary managed to do both. I’ll carry that feeling with me, and I hope to return one day, not just as a visitor, but as someone who briefly, and gratefully, belonged.