My time studying in Belfast, Northern Ireland, at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) was a transformative experience. I found it so freeing to exist in a completely new environment and be able to explore my independence. Overall, my exchange gave me the opportunity to step outside my comfort zone, travel, and gain a broader worldview.
When I arrived in Belfast, I was situated in a residence known as Elms Village, which houses other exchange students as well as regular students attending QUB. The university also arranged for taxis straight from the airport, which was great especially since I travelled there alone. The residence team was also really engaged in student life and held events almost every night of the week for students in the village.
Adjusting to life on exchange was difficult at first, but I was comfortably situated after only a couple weeks in Belfast. Making friends itself was also easier than I thought; many other exchange students feel exactly like you do, and it wasn’t hard for me to find the people I was most comfortable with. I still regularly talk to some of the close friends I made abroad, and we are planning a meet-up in Canada for some time in the foreseeable future, which I’m really excited about!
In terms of academics, QUB offers a balanced course load which allowed me to comfortably learn and gave me time to explore Belfast and the rest of Ireland. The three course schedule offered so much flexibility for me, which I found to be especially valuable when on exchange. I also got lucky with my schedule and only had classes Monday through Wednesday. The courses they offered in psychology also translated well to courses back at Queen’s so exchange credits were relatively easy to sort out.
Northern Ireland offers a rich culture, and I adored immersing myself into it. Some of my highlights from the city were the traditional music and local food. In my free time, I enjoyed exploring Belfast and its surrounding areas. One of my favourite parts of Northern Ireland was the Causeway Coastal Route, up the Northern coast, which I did 3 or 4 times during my exchange. I’ve taken bus tours and buses a few times to take in the scenery. There were a lot of cool stops up the coast, including the Carrick-A-Rede rope bridge, the Dunluce Castle ruins, and the Giant’s Causeway, which was one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen.
Ultimately, I have no regrets about going on exchange. The experience gave me more than I had ever expected and I would encourage everyone who is considering it to do so if they can. I made lifelong friends, developed new perspectives, and gained an appreciation for both the challenges and beauty of living abroad. It wasn’t always easy being alone in a new country, but I will always cherish the memories I’ve made and the person that I grew into during my time abroad.
