Leeds was an ideal destination for me to see and experience where my family is from in North Yorkshire. My grandmother and Aunt both studied in Leeds and my Father grew up in Redcar, not too far from the city. I also wanted to explore the peaceful stretching hills of the Yorkshire Dales. As I was researching schools for my exchange, I came across some Masters Programs that I was interested in. Going to Leeds in person was a great way to talk to professors about different specialisations of my degree, and see if Graduate studies at the University of Leeds would be good for me.
My favourite thing about living in Leeds was how it comes alive at night. There are so many hip bars and pubs where you can feel a really fun energy. Each night of the week there seemed to be a student night that was a guaranteed fun time. Another good reason to live in Leeds is that Yorkshire is rich in heritage and very serene. It is a part of England that really can't be missed. The hiking is great, and you can see some really impressive architecture at the National Trust or English Heritage sites that give you an idea of England's centuries of dynamic history.
My favourite module was "Traditional Alcoholic Beverages" in the School of Food Science and Nutrition. We learned all about the stages of brewing, and the ingredients that make a good beer. I even got a chance to brew my own recipe in the university brewing laboratory with a group of students. We also learned about wine making and went on a tour to a local Yorkshire brewery and winery. It was really useful to see the real-life practice of the brewing process that we learned in lectures, and wine tastings at the end weren't so bad either.
The University of Leeds campus has an abundance of character. There are old buildings that make you feel like you're going back in time. Leeds is known to have the best student union in the UK. I absolutely agree - I was blown away with everything offered to students. There is a market on campus every Monday, pub quizzes at Old Bar every Thursday, and nightclubbing every Friday that was a guaranteed good time. The student union's activities and societies presented many opportunities to see the beautiful Yorkshire countryside, participate in fun activities, and meet many new people.