The dorms (or 'halls' as they're known) vary really widely. There are some in historic buildings in the center of town (all of these are on full meal plans as I recall, although kitchens are available) and some are newer (read: ugly concrete) at the edge of town (still only about a 15 minute walk or so) and some of these you can be on a partial or no meal plan - some are more like apartments than dorms. Check out thesinner.net for guides to the individual halls (as well as the town in general).
I'm not too sure about vegetarian-friendliness, not being one myself, but I know several people who are and my impression is that, if you're on meal plans, there are always vegetarian options but not always very nice ones (probably like most college meal plans!)
Making friends while studying abroad...this is a tough one. If you go to St Andrews (or other UK and probably European universities) you'll hear all about the stereotypical American Junior Year Abroad student: wears baseball hats, college sweatshirts, shorts and flip flops; talks loudly and obnoxiously; is completely unaware of local culture. Like the posh Yah stereotype I mentioned in my first comment, this one is mostly untrue but does exist. You have to make an effort not to be tarred with the same brush. St Andrews got a lot of US publicity when the prince was there so it has a really high population of American JYAs now. I made lots of really close friends while I was there but I really tried not to socialise only with Americans, to fit in clothing-wise and volume-wise - not in a conformist way but just not to put people off with bad first impressions. I think as long as you're aware of this and make an effort, so that people know you're interested in meeting British students and learning about British culture, you'll be ok.
I couldn't visit St Andrews when I applied, either. Let me just recommend thesinner.net again because I wish it had been around when I was applying. It has guides to shops, halls, societies (clubs), nightlife, etc. as well as messageboards and articles.
I'm not too sure about vegetarian-friendliness, not being one myself, but I know several people who are and my impression is that, if you're on meal plans, there are always vegetarian options but not always very nice ones (probably like most college meal plans!)
Making friends while studying abroad...this is a tough one. If you go to St Andrews (or other UK and probably European universities) you'll hear all about the stereotypical American Junior Year Abroad student: wears baseball hats, college sweatshirts, shorts and flip flops; talks loudly and obnoxiously; is completely unaware of local culture. Like the posh Yah stereotype I mentioned in my first comment, this one is mostly untrue but does exist. You have to make an effort not to be tarred with the same brush. St Andrews got a lot of US publicity when the prince was there so it has a really high population of American JYAs now. I made lots of really close friends while I was there but I really tried not to socialise only with Americans, to fit in clothing-wise and volume-wise - not in a conformist way but just not to put people off with bad first impressions. I think as long as you're aware of this and make an effort, so that people know you're interested in meeting British students and learning about British culture, you'll be ok.
I couldn't visit St Andrews when I applied, either. Let me just recommend thesinner.net again because I wish it had been around when I was applying. It has guides to shops, halls, societies (clubs), nightlife, etc. as well as messageboards and articles.
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