"After reading up on the opportunity it was a very easy choice. My home university also has some Erasmus programs that would allow me to study in the UK, but knowing that I would come to Loughborough with fellow people from the scholarship foundation and have Professor Claudia Eberlein be like a local mentor at the University promised a much more intimate exchange than going to a different university by myself. I also wanted to seize the opportunity since coming to the UK might become harder in the future for EU residents."

Before arriving at Loughborough, he had not heard much about the University. However, his initial impressions have been very positive.

"The students here are much closer than at my home university. There is a certain pride in being part of Loughborough University. The amount of options to take part in university life are vast and students      really get involved. The University organises lots of events and the campus facilities (especially for sports) are very modern."

He has also been impressed by the study experience.

"The lecturers have a closer connection to the students and allow for a very personal relation. I have had more opportunities to ask questions and use the lecturers time. The Uuniversity also really seems to care about preparing the students for a career in the industry rather than academia."

Avesta hopes that studying in the UK will give him an understanding of British culture and once he completes his master's degree in mathematics he hopes to do a PhD.