Sheffield, that is my cup of tea!

Exchange: amazing!

In contrast to a lot of other students, the question for me was if I really wanted to go on exchange. I really enjoyed my time in Tilburg, so there was no big reason to leave the Netherlands for another country. However, when the moment of choice came closer and closer, I started doubting it. Fellow students were really enthusiastic about exchange and their possible destinations and I also heard very positive stories from students, who already went on exchange or who were there at the moment. However, a third year student who didn’t go on exchange totally convinced me. We were sitting in the local pub in Erp and he told me that he absolutely regretted the choice to not go on exchange. I didn’t want to tell the same story to other students. From that moment on, I intensively started looking for destinations.

After I read a lot of reviews and looked up a lot of information, I still didn’t know where to go. One day I wanted to stay in Europe and the other day I wanted to go to Asia. Some days before I had to start writing my letter, I was almost sure that Asia should become my destination. However, 24 hours later this thought was the complete opposite. Finally, I had to choose, and I chose for England, Sweden and Norway. I was really happy when I had been assigned for my first choice, England.

Currently, after more than 2 months, I’m really happy to be in England. It’s truly amazing here! At first, you get to know so many new people, who all come with the same idea to Sheffield: to have an unforgettable time. Almost every day, you meet new people and you do a lot of great things with them. From going out, to playing some card games in the kitchen, and having corridor meetings (our own definition here), to studying together. Even studying together can be funny. There’s almost always someone in the kitchen or the corridor to have a talk with, because we live with so many international students together.

“I was doubting about it for a long time, but I’m really happy that I have chosen to go”

You can’t forget the city trips if you talk about exchange. In my case, these trips are (for now) mainly on the agenda. I have visited Manchester twice and Edinburgh once, which is the capital of Scotland. I also want to go to Liverpool, London, Belfast, Dublin and Cardiff, but I think that’s a bit too ambitious. Additionally, for me, as football fan, I have to see some football matches. However, it’s really difficult to get tickets for it. Matches in the Premier League are almost always sold out, so we have to be a bit creative. Anyway, I’m going to visit Old Trafford twice, the next two weeks.

In conclusion, exchange is amazing! As I wrote earlier, I was doubting about it for a long time, but I’m really happy that I have chosen to go. Of course, every student is different, but I can recommend to every student to take advantage of the great opportunity Tilburg University offers us. You learn a lot of studying abroad, because you have to survive outside your own comfort zone. Besides that, you get friends for the rest of your life (yes, I know that for sure right now). Moreover, if you go to China, South-Africa, Canada or England depends on your own interests, but I can give you down on paper that it will be an unforgettable time!