Denise Sommerville
Standing beneath the stained-glass window featuring the crest of James II and the founding date of 1451, I felt a deep sense of continuity, a bridge between Scotland’s past and my own journey as a student today. The colours of the glass, rich with history and meaning, reminded me how every student here brings their own story, distinct yet part of something greater. Although I don’t live in Glasgow, I travel in from Ayr, a coastal town on Scotland’s southwest shore. Each journey I make by bus represents both a physical and personal connection to something larger than myself: Scotland’s long-standing traditions of education, resilience, and community.
I am a proud commuting student. My academic life at the University of Glasgow is intertwined with my family, community, and local leadership in Ayr. While many of my classmates live within walking distance of campus, my path involves early mornings, packed notebooks, and time spent between two worlds, the vibrant energy of the city and the steadiness of home. Our community is not defined by proximity, but by purpose. For me, that purpose lies in bridging local and academic life, bringing the spirit of Ayrshire into the University and taking the lessons of Glasgow back home.
Ayr, my hometown, has undergone significant changes over the years. Once a bustling seaside town, it now carries the marks of economic decline and transition. Some parts feel tired, and opportunities can be limited, but it’s still home: familiar, grounding, and filled with people who care deeply about where they live. Living there has taught me resilience and the importance of community spirit, even when things aren’t easy. When I travel to Glasgow for classes, I’m reminded how much I value both worlds, the energy of the city and the stability of home. Ayr keeps me grounded; it reminds me why I want to understand and contribute to positive social change.
My decision to return to study was rooted in that same sense of purpose. After years of community work in Ayr, I wanted to deepen my understanding of how policy can genuinely transform lives. The University of Glasgow provided the ideal environment to challenge myself intellectually while maintaining my local commitments. Being a mature student gives me a unique perspective. I bring with me the realities of families and communities that theory often abstracts. This makes learning deeply meaningful because I can see how ideas translate into action.
Being part of the University of Glasgow has expanded my sense of belonging beyond Ayrshire. The campus, with its stunning Gothic architecture and timeless courtyards, feels like stepping into a living dialogue between history and progress. The stained-glass windows, each telling stories of Scotland’s intellectual and cultural heritage, inspire me to think about how knowledge evolves across generations. I may not live in the city, but I carry a deep pride in representing the University wherever I go.
Being a Scottish student today means carrying forward a legacy of thinkers and reformers who believed that education should be accessible to everyone, not just the privileged few. Scotland’s story is one of learning as liberation, and that belief continues to guide me. As a student, community leader, and mother, I view education as a force that uplifts entire communities, not just individuals.
Studying at Glasgow has also allowed me to meet people from all walks of life, many of whom, like me, are balancing family, work, and study. Our conversations remind me that cultural diversity is not only about nationality or heritage, but also about perspective, as each of us brings our lived experiences into academic life.
What I enjoy most about studying at Glasgow is the way the University nurtures that sense of shared purpose. It’s a place that values questions as much as answers, where students are encouraged to think critically, dream boldly, and act compassionately. For me, every journey back to Ayr, whether by bus through the countryside or on a late train after a long day, is filled with reflections on the day’s lectures and inspirations.
For me, education isn’t only about books or buildings, it’s about courage, connection, and community. Whether in Ayr or Glasgow, I carry that spirit with me. The light that shines through the stained glass of the Glasgow University Union reminds me daily that our stories, like colours in glass, are most beautiful when illuminated together.