Home Away from Home: Chapter Two of My Life in Leeds

At first sight, all I knew about Leeds was that it is a city for shopping, night-outs and having fun, with the University of Leeds being well-known for Media and Communication studies.

This drew me to study here; it was quite a simple decision, but I never regretted it. I love the city and country – Leeds is a student-friendly city where you have both academic and fun experiences.

Lectures offer excellent opportunities to delve into our courses as a top-ranked university. Faculty members are eager to listen to student voices and change, and Leeds University Union (LUU) has many activities for making friends, such as Global Cafes.

The campus combines historic and modern buildings next to Hyde Park and Woodhouse Moor, providing many green spaces to study and relax.

Also, the United Kingdom is amazing to travel around the country or even to Europe. I can see friends managing their coursework and travelling, and I admire them for making it work.

It might be challenging to adapt to life as an international student. I remember feeling lonely and left out even though I was with friends.

From those experiences, I learned to constantly step out of my comfort zone, feel uncomfortable and get used to it. You never know unless you try; when you do, amazing and unexpected things can happen.

For example, pushing myself to some socialising events made me find my best friends, and applying for representatives or committee members gave me opportunities for personal growth by feeling responsible.

With the recent arrival of warm and sunny spring, our campus has become more and more vibrant. Before everyone returns home for the Easter Break, they have fun on campus: friend groups going on picnics, students chasing bunnies across campus, and finally escaping the libraries where they’ve been pulling all-nighters during the semester.

This friendly vibe of the campus makes me love this city, and I already know I’ll miss it. As I will not be in Leeds for the next academic year for a placement internship in London, I am trying to spend more time with my friends.