If youâve just started your second year at the University of Leeds, you might have noticed a few emails in your inbox urging you to consider applying to study abroad for a year. While this can seem like a scary (but exciting) process and experience, Iâm hoping I can convince you that you absolutely have to consider it! And, if youâre just starting at Leeds, definitely keep reading so you can be prepared to decide next year.
Iâve just returned to Leeds from the best year of my life studying abroad. Itâs more common to spend the full year living and studying in one place, but I did the Autumn semester in Canada, and Spring in Australia. I donât think Iâve ever been as nervous as I was in the airport boarding a one-way flight to Vancouver, but getting to live in these two extraordinary countries was worth all the butterflies! Iâve narrowed it down to five reasons why you should study abroadâŠÂ
- Friends
The best thing I got out of studying abroad were the friends I made from all over the world. You have the opportunity to connect with other exchange students, Leeds students who are headed to the same city as you, and of course all the people in your classes, university and study abroad city!
I really felt like I was part of a global community – I never would have had the opportunity to meet some of my best friends without exchange. The orientation programmes your university will run mean itâs super easy to make connections. You never know where these friendships will take you – whether itâs return flights to your study abroad city or visiting your friends in their home countries! Â
- Independence
Iâm sure lots of you look in awe at how much youâve changed and grown since starting university. This new independence and confidence grows 100 times more after navigating a new country and culture by yourself.Â
Life almost feels ânot-realâ, in the best way, when on exchange, with the freedom to take risks and say yes to trips, experiences and meeting different people. The world feels so much more accessible – if you had told me last year Iâd fly from Australia to Canada to go to a music festival with some of my best friends (who I met on exchange), I would never have believed you!  Â
Making a new life for yourself in a new country gives you such a new perspective and itâs so invaluable to building your confidence, self-belief and independence.
- Adventure
Whichever continent youâre living in, youâll have access to the most incredible trips, landmarks and places to explore, both in your exchange country and in the countries surrounding it. Itâs incredible living in cities which seemed like far-off holiday destinations. I could hike on Vancouver Island on a Sunday morning or walk past the Sydney Opera House for a coffee. And youâll have time for lots of incredible trips – some highlights were the Canadian Rockies, South East Asia, and the Melbourne Grand Prix! Itâs almost unbelievable how much of the world youâll have the opportunity to see.
- New study experiences
While classes arenât usually the highlight of exchange, you do still attend university. Itâs Pass/Fail, so thereâs much less pressure than in Leeds, and youâll get the opportunity to study things outside of your degree discipline or approach your degree from a new perspective. As a history student, it was interesting to learn how the Canadian and Australian perspectives on historical events often differed from the British one. Also, getting to study ice hockey and Aussie beach culture was a lot of fun!Â
- New culture
As much as you can experience new cultures as a tourist, living in a place for an extended period is a different experience. I was in English-speaking countries and still found so many culture shocks and hobbies that were new to me – there are things youâll love and things that will make you homesick, but itâs all part of the experience! Who knew Iâd ever try curling, go to an Aussie footy match or learn to skate?
Itâs easy to hear the benefits, but doing a year abroad has its difficulties too – although they are all worth it for the experience. Applying can be daunting when considering finances, visas, accommodation, courses and returning as a fourth year. I was intimidated by this, but it seems much scarier than it is. Hopefully I can alleviate a few concerns!Â
- The application process is fully supported by the Global Opportunities Office at Leeds, and itâs done in manageable steps. From applying to returning, they were in contact and helped resolve any hiccups super quickly. Â
- Studying abroad is expensive – but there is lots of financial support available. The Global Opportunities Office will talk you through it, and youâll create a budget as part of your application. You can get financial aid from Student Finance and the University of Leeds. Itâs great to have some savings for it, but thereâs lots of help out there – I even got financial assistance from the Australian government!
- Third year FOMO – I totally get this as lots of my friends graduated and left Leeds this summer. But donât let this hold you back from studying abroad- youâll have housemates and friends in fourth year! So many people do years abroad, placement years, or stay in Leeds for post grad jobs/studies. Youâll also likely meet people on exchange who study in Leeds too!Â
Coming back to Leeds is exciting – we live in such a cool city and itâs so fun re-exploring it. Itâs also worth saying that FOMO doesnât hit as much as you might expect when youâre on your own adventure. Itâs difficult to miss a Wednesday night out when you’re at the beach with your friends in Sydney, cycling around Stanley Park in Vancouver or dancing in Darcyâs (shoutout to my fave bar in Canada)!Â
Studying abroad is a unique and exciting experience – itâs unlikely youâll get an opportunity to live abroad so freely again. Itâs the best thing Iâve ever challenged myself to do and I am so excited for anyone who has this adventure to come!
Editor: Mieka Broadwood D’souza