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Testimonials

Maeve Godwin | Final Year English & Creative Writing student

I chose to study in Aix-en-Provence because I wanted to experience the life and culture of the Provençal region of France (the sunny and dry weather was a major bonus too!). Studying in a French university aided my college studies immensely, as it not only helped me to improve my French language skills, but it also granted me the opportunity to explore and study other areas of interest, such as French cinema. It may sound cliché, but it was the one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had so far in my life. Moving abroad is a challenge, but it’s the best way to grow as a person – you learn so much about yourself, and it is such a formative time. The best memories I had from my time in France were the times I went out of my comfort zone and tried something new. I wouldn’t change anything about it, because every part of it, the good and the difficult, is what made it my Erasmus experience.

Nicola Bugler | Erasmus at the University of Helsinki, 2022/23

I'm beyond grateful to be doing my exchange in such a beautiful country, Finland is truly magical. I was lucky enough to get to go Finnish Lapland in the first semester, which was an amazing experience. We did skiing, husky sledding, ice fishing, swam in the Arctic Ocean and saw the beautiful Northern lights. I've been lucky enough to travel to many countries around Finland too. In my first semester I visited Sweden, Norway, Estonia, and Latvia. The study abroad year provides you with amazing opportunities that you wouldn't otherwise get. The University of Helsinki is amazing, all of the coordinators and lecturers are beyond helpful and they really enforce a relaxed, non-hierarchical atmosphere in the classroom. I'm learning so much both inside and outside of the classroom. Studying abroad is a really incredible opportunity and I would recommend it to anyone!

Pablo Lorenzo Esteve | Final Year BA Joint Honours

My experience in Malta was life-defining. Being in such a new place, where so many opportunities and choices are within reach, felt amazing. This variety and opportunity made me develop as a person. Not just thanks to all the incredible experiences - such as swimming in crystalline lagoons, exploring ancient temples, or medieval monuments -, but especially thanks to the people I met and the amazing conversations I had with them. Being dropped into a completely new country also allows you to re-discover yourself, and to really determine what paths you want to take. Being in a different academic setting, with smaller and more interactive classes was extremely rewarding. I still vividly remember a Geography field trip in which we accompanied our expert lecturer to a tsunami simulation, which featured the military, police, and local politicians, among others. Oh, and how to forget that the very President of the European Parliament visited our University, and I was able to ask her a question. Definitely a good place for studying International Relations!

Selma Reby | Studied at Hong Kong Baptist University in 2023/24

My study abroad experience was probably the highlight of my university time so far. I spent 9 months in Hong Kong, attending HKBU. It was so different from UG and broadened my worldview incredibly. I had the opportunity to choose modules outside of my main study, including jewellery-making, linguistics, psychology, and Cantonese, as well as creative writing and media modules. The lecture environments were much more personal and discussion-based, creating a rich environment of learning and cultural exchange. It was difficult to get used to at first, but the lecturers at HKBU were really helpful. I lived on campus and made friends with both local and international students, building lifelong friendships. It was great to have everything accessible on campus and cheaper than other places. As well as studying, I spent some time travelling to countries like Vietnam, Thailand, mainland China, Macau, and more. It was fantastic to hop on a cheap flight and discover an entirely different culture! But even Hong Kong itself was a wonderful place to explore and there’s so much to see. I’d absolutely recommend a year abroad to everyone; it changes your university experience.

Niamh Kelly | Studied Spanish & English at Universidad de Deusto, Spain

My Erasmus experience has been the most beneficial experience of my life so far. There were moments in the first week where I felt blindsided by communication issues and loneliness, but I soon found that the international community all leaned on one another for advice and we arranged activities together most days. While it was amazing to have that support, connecting with the locals through the college and through extracurricular activities such as danza vasca (Basque dance) classes allowed me to practise my language skills and develop a sense of belonging in this new place. After more than a year of staying at home and studying online, I feel that I appreciated even more the friendships I made and the adventures I had. I was able to learn about Basque culture, and I even studied Euskera, the native language of Basque Country. I travelled all over Spain and also to France, something that I had wanted to do but had been impossible during Covid. By the end of my time in Bilbao, I could honestly say that the city felt like a second home to me, and I have gained a little bit more knowledge of so many parts of the world.