When I first visited Loughborough, I immediately felt at home. The campus atmosphere, the sport culture, and the range of opportunities made it stand out to me, especially compared to city universities, which I knew might feel overwhelming. I liked that a campus university felt friendlier and close knit. I was also really drawn to the option of doing a placement or studying abroad.
From the moment I arrived in first year, I had the best time. The hall committees, the freshers support, and the constant reminder that everyone was new and looking to make friends made the transition much easier. I arrived knowing no one at all, but I never felt isolated. I got involved in as much as I could, from inter-hall sport to joining committees, and in my final year I even found a new group of friends through water polo.
When it came to studying abroad, I had originally been looking at placements. I kept seeing photos and stories from students who had gone abroad for a year, and I began to realise what a unique experience it could be. I went to the study abroad fair just to have a look, and then I read a profile from someone who had gone to Denmark. After doing some research, I could imagine myself there. I realised that I would have the rest of my life to get work experience, but I would only have one chance to live in another country for a year with very few responsibilities. It felt like the right moment to try something completely new.
I moved to Denmark in August 2024 and had two weeks before university started, which helped me settle in. The Business School checked in with us regularly, and before moving the study abroad team had given us a clear checklist, so I felt prepared. Denmark did not feel like a huge culture shock, but the differences were refreshing. Danish people are incredibly calm and patient. For example, people wait at a red crossing even if no cars are coming. The cycling culture was a big part of everyday life, so I bought a bike for the year, something I hadn’t needed to do in Loughborough.
Aarhus was the perfect place for me. It is a smaller city with a strong student atmosphere, and although people often assumed I would be in Copenhagen, Aarhus suited me because it felt manageable while still being lively. It also felt comforting knowing that Denmark was not too far from home, especially compared to somewhere like Canada, which I had also considered.
I was mostly nervous about making friends, but it turned out to be just like starting university again. The university organised international student events, and even though people naturally grouped with others from their own countries at first, everyone was open and friendly. I was surprised that many students stayed for only one semester, but this ended up being one of the best parts of the experience. I made one group of friends in my first semester, then returned after Christmas and made another group in my second semester. It felt like getting two experiences in one year, and in the second semester I enjoyed being the person who could show others around.
Living in a shared house also helped, because you meet your housemates’ friends as well as your own. The fact that almost everyone in Denmark speaks excellent English made day to day life much easier, and I always felt like help was available if I needed it.
If I could give advice to anyone considering a year abroad, I would say to go with an open mind and say yes to everything. You never know who you will meet or what small invitations might lead to. Embrace the culture fully because opportunities like this do not come around often.
Studying abroad is not only about academics. For example, I only had around six hours of tuition a week, which gave me a lot of time to explore. Because I was living in the second largest city, flights were slightly cheaper, so I visited Germany, Sweden, and Poland. I feel like I grew a lot as a person, learned a great deal about myself, and expanded my world in a way I never expected.
I now have friends across the globe, including Germany, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as new friends back in England. I am incredibly grateful for the experience, and I would encourage anyone considering it to explore the option because it truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
