I think about my time on exchange at least once a day, often more, especially as midterms and the winter season approach. Choosing photos for this testimonial brought back a flood of emotions; I couldn鈥檛 help but tear up as I reflected on the memories I hold with so much love and gratitude. I left home with my two oversized suitcases, and a pocketful of tissues to dry my nervous tears. Seven months later, I returned with even more tissues, this time to wipe away the sadness of leaving a special place, and many special people.
felt like a good fit, its size was comparable to Queen's: large enough to feel immersive but small enough that I never felt lost. The city itself is walkable, with paths for walking and running. I always felt safe walking at night. From the start, orientation events like campus tours, exchange meet-and-greets and GiveItAGo trips (bus trips to nearby cities) helped me connect with people and explore. Highlights included hiking Pen Y Fan (the highest peak in south Wales) and visiting The Cotswolds.
One of my favourite aspects of Cardiff was its international community. I met friends from Italy, France, Brazil, and Australia, many of whom I plan to visit once I graduate. The Welsh are known for being warm, welcoming and always ready for a good time. This experience also taught me the importance of balance, and opened my eyes to the many different paths people take. Before exchange, I often felt isolated, and constantly compared myself to others in my program. My time abroad showed me that it is possible to succeed in school while still enjoying life, and it reminded me that everyone is on their own personal journey.
Academics were slightly different from Queen鈥檚, with longer but fewer lectures per week, and most students had Wednesdays off. Cardiff鈥檚 social atmosphere was enhanced by its many student societies. This structure gave me more independence, and flexibility, including the chance to travel during our three-week Easter break. From sandboarding in the Sahara to hiking in the Dolomites, from boat rides in Venice, to surfing in Cornwall, every trip deepened my friendships, and strengthened my resilience. Additionally, experiencing different countries pushed me outside my comfort zone, and taught me adaptability and problem solving skills, navigating new cities, and planning group trips, and learning to be resourceful in unfamiliar environments.
I lived in a residence with my own room and bathroom, sharing a kitchen with seven other students. Many of my friends chose off-campus housing, which helped them immerse themselves in student living. Both options were valuable and created opportunities to build community in different ways.
Lastly, this exchange built my confidence and opened doors. I stayed in Europe until mid-August volunteering in a hostel in Sicily, and travelling with friends and also on my own. I would never have attempted these things or had these opportunities if it wasn鈥檛 for exchange. I returned home not only with souvenirs and maxed-out iCloud storage, but with lifelong friendships, greater independence, and new perspectives of life.
