By: Rose Crosbie

This exchange has been the best experience I could have hoped for. When I arrived in London in September I commenced two weeks of travel through Europe which was truly incredible. As I have had time to reflect on my travels I have come to understand that it’s not so much about one specific experience but rather, the abundance of little memories that surround it. One of the highlights of this experience has been seeing the history that I’ve studied from textbooks and in lecture theatres displayed in museums and architecture before me. 

I think that there’s something so subjective about travelling as everyone has a different reason. For me, it was always about the history, the art, culture and learning about the stories that exist in each city or small town. Sometimes the messages from the past are carved into the walls of century old buildings, and sometimes they hide behind a brush stroke in a gallery. The two weeks I spent travelling through Europe on a Contiki meant I got to visit France, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, and the Belgium; and I’m so fortunate to have made lifelong friends along the way. Spending the last semester of my law degree in Liverpool has been such a privilege.

One of my biggest recommendations is to allow yourself at least a couple of weeks to spend some time travelling before you start the semester. For one thing you will gain so much confidence in yourself and your ability to adapt to new environments. It will also allow you to maintain a healthy balance between travel and study because there are so many incredible places to explore.

Liverpool is such a lively and beautiful city to experience as a student. There’s lots of cosy pubs and cafes, and plenty of places to explore on the weekends. I’ve managed to travel so much in this time that I’ve been here.

The semester abroad experience has opened so many doors for my future. I was able to spend Christmas in Milan with my friend and her lovely family. I’ve backpacked through Ireland and watched the waves crash against the Cliffs of Moher. I’ve watched the sun rise and set in Corfu; I’ve watched time pass by in cosy a Edinburgh cafe with a good book and a cappuccino.

It’s important to remember that things will go wrong along the way and often it’s a matter of trial and error. But it’s important to be careful how much energy you give to the little mistakes and misfortune’s that you encounter. Usually when you look back at the entire experience you only notice the good things and the mistakes become a part of the wisdom that you’ve accrued. If you miss a train another one will come and if you book a more expensive flight because you missed out on the cheaper one it wasn’t meant to be.

One of the hard things about returning is that your world has stretched so profoundly and you can’t stretch it back down. You’ve met so many people made so many friends and have a wealth of experiences. So the next question is, what next?