Author Fidan Meikle Inspires Students During Book Week Scotland

City of Glasgow College was delighted to welcome author Fidan Meikle on Friday 21 November as part of this year’s Book Week Scotland celebrations. The event, co-organised by ESOL lecturer Stewart Fraser and Claire Roberts from the College library, offered students a unique chance to engage with literature in a meaningful and personal way.

Fidan introduced students to her acclaimed book, My Name is Samim, which follows a young refugee’s courageous journey to safety. For many of our ESOL students, the story resonated deeply, reflecting their own experiences of arriving in Scotland and adapting to a new life. The reading prompted thoughtful discussion, as students explored themes of resilience, loss, and hope.

Library staff member Claire Roberts expressed how powerful the session felt for everyone involved:
“It was a real pleasure to meet Fidan and hear her reading from her book. Seeing the students engage with Fidan's work, and how much they enjoyed creating a zine, helped me appreciate just how powerful the written word can be.”

The College’s ESOL team works closely with the library on a range of projects designed to encourage reading for pleasure while supporting students’ developing language skills. Events like this highlight the significant impact of connecting authors with learners—an impact clearly visible on the day.

ESOL lecturer Stewart Fraser, who helped organise the event, emphasised the students’ enthusiastic response:
“It was really rewarding to see the way that students engaged with Fidan's readings and the discussions which came from her words. Students were inspired to read and write through the event and mentioned that Fidan's way with words made them feel immersed in the story.”

Another ESOL lecturer, Morag McIntosh, noted how the story’s emotional depth resonated with the group while also offering hope:
“Although many of the students could identify with the loss and sadness experienced by the characters in Fidan’s story, the recurring theme of friendship helped us to focus on positivity, even in the hardest of times.”

The visit was a powerful reminder of the role literature can play in building empathy, strengthening communities, and supporting learners as they navigate their own journeys. City of Glasgow College is proud to host events that celebrate reading, learning, and the incredible stories of our students and authors alike.