Lake County Gazette

After completing his undergraduate studies at Lake Forest College, Sam Bickersteth, class of 2024, has returned to England to further his academic career. Bickersteth is currently pursuing a master’s degree in the philosophy of religion at the University of Cambridge and will begin his PhD in the same field this fall.

Bickersteth, who is originally from East Sussex in the United Kingdom, decided to attend college in the United States so he could continue playing soccer while focusing on academics. He met with Dan Andrews, Lake Forest College’s men’s soccer coach who is also British, during a visit to London before making his decision.

“Lake Forest was the best place for me,” Bickersteth said. “It’s a beautiful location, has a great sized community, and the academics are strong.”

While at Lake Forest College from 2020 to 2024, Bickersteth double majored in philosophy and English. He developed an interest in philosophy after reading Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Studying English and philosophy covered most of my academic interests,” Bickersteth explained. “I could read about theological thinkers through the English department and debate those ideas in my philosophy classes. They’re both fantastic faculties where I was able to study what I loved quite freely.”