“Julius’s laugh is heavenly as if he possesses some magical ability to disregard the looming consequences that we all may soon face. We—not just me, not just him, but all four of us—are in this together. If we go through with this, if we get caught, if we steal these priceless items, we are risking everything.”

Chasing Snails is my first non-fiction work, a novel that delves into the intense and often surreal world of life at a prestigious university. It is based loosely on my experience at the University of St. Andrews and the personalities I have met while living abroad. It follows the journey of a student deeply immersed in the academic pressures of an economics degree while being drawn toward the world of art. The story captures the tension between societal expectations and the pursuit of creative passion. As the protagonist navigates this complex environment, they encounter a range of intriguing characters and become entangled in the shadowy world of an underground art scene, where ambition, creativity, and danger collide. This novel explores the sacrifices required to achieve greatness and the fine line between reality and art, offering a thought-provoking tale of self-discovery, ambition, and the price one pays for chasing their dreams.