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“I studied Law in UDLAP, Cholula in Puebla, Mexico. It was a 10/10 experience and I would recommend the university and the city to anyone wanting to do a year abroad. Puebla has 3 big universities so it is very much a student city, as well as still being very authentically Mexican. UDLAP is in Cholula which is a gorgeous town. It has amazing views of volcanoes and pyramids, some of the best food in Mexico, and a strip of bars and clubs for anyone that likes going out. This gives you chances to meet international and Mexican students both in class and out and about. The town also has salsa lessons etc. The teachers and classes at the university are really good, there are Spanish classes for anyone wanting to learn, classes taught in English for those who don't do Spanish, and for those who do the teachers really help you make sure you've understood everything. They are also very good at appreciating you are on a year abroad and will allow you to go away for big events like Dia de Muertos and Mexican independence, to make sure you get a good balance - they all really want you to explore Mexico.”
“I loved my experience in Santiago, Chile. The city is big, but the neighborhood where I lived, Providencia, was self-contained and a very pleasant place to live. I loved having the mountains so close to the city. Chileans are very kind and always willing to help. I did an internship at the NGO Techo para Chile; it was a great experience and everything went very well. The exchange students in Santiago are super friendly, and it’s very easy to make friends and fit in. The Chilean accent is hard to understand at first, but you get used to it. I highly recommend Chile to anyone looking to go on an exchange program. ”
“ My exchange at Maastricht University was a great experience. The university's PBL system is both a blessing and a curse. For more qualitative courses, the discussion format works wonders and really helps you develop a deeper understanding of the material and debate with others. For more quantitative courses, I found the system less effective at times, as there is less traditional teaching and more emphasis on independent learning and group discussion. You do need to stay on top of your classes, especially because many courses are only 8 weeks long. Outside academics, Maastricht is a fantastic student city. The university buildings are spread throughout the city, which gives the feeling that the university is the city. There are two main libraries, plenty of study spaces, and a strong student atmosphere everywhere you go. The city itself is beautiful, endlessly charming, and surprisingly has great food considering its size. Socially, I found Maastricht offered a really good balance between studying and student life. The nightlife is smaller than in some larger exchange destinations, but there is still plenty going on, and it's easy to meet people quickly. LBB is great if you're into techno. Overall, I found Maastricht to be a city where you can genuinely enjoy both your academic and social life during an exchange.”
“Costly but amazingly fulfilling social life. I realize how important it is to learn from different cultures. I see many similarities between my fellow exchange students but also learn the struggles they have in their countries. I started to appreciate Europe as a union. It’s vital that our countries are well intertwined.”
“It was absolutely amazing!! Canadians are the nicest people on earth! They’re so welcoming! Victoria and Vancouver Island in general are such a great place to live! It’s super safe!! It’s incredibly diverse—there are mountains, the ocean, forests, and big cities. There are plenty of hikes to do right near Victoria: hills, lakes, forests, and along the coast. You can also spend the afternoon on a small beach or by the lake. It’s the part of Canada with the most temperate climate, so you can enjoy all of this from early spring through October. You can easily take lots of short trips, even just for a weekend—like going surfing in Tofino, hiking in the north of the island, taking the ferry to spend the weekend in Vancouver, and so on. If you have a little more time, you can also visit the magnificent national parks of Alberta and British Columbia with their crystal-clear lakes and Rocky Mountains. The city of Victoria is so cool—it’s a waterfront city with great museums, bars, restaurants, and more. Maybe not the best city for partying?”
“My favourite city in the world. Seoul is big enough that there is always something new to see, but small and connected enough that you can leave after the year feeling like you've genuinely explored it. The public transport is so well developed and maintained that you can generally get from one side of the city to the other within an hour, for only a few thousand won (£1–3). Rent can be expensive if you choose to get your own place, especially in more central areas. I wasn't able to get a dorm room and ended up in a goshitel (small studio room, private bathroom, shared kitchen) in Sinchon (Yonsei campus) for 500k won a month. This was expensive for the size, but the central location made up for it. Goshiwons (shared bathroom) are a cheaper option if you're on a tighter budget. However, because everyday living is affordable, it's possible to spend a bit more on rent and still have flexibility. One of the best parts of Seoul is how much you can experience beyond the obvious tourist spots. Nature is highly accessible, with mountains, parks and forests dotted along subway lines. The city blends modern architecture and technology with tradition through its palaces and other heritage sites. Eating out is very affordable (often cheaper than cooking) and there is a big drinking culture, which can be fun but may not be for everyone. I would recommend exploring as much traditional food and culture as possible: trying fresh seafood in coastal areas like Ganghwa Island or Sokcho, doing a hanok stay, learning Korean history at the DMZ, visiting a jjimjilbang (traditional bathhouse).”
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