Vinesh – University of Liverpool
Semester 2, 2024
Bachelor of Information Technology/ Laws (Honours)
Journeying abroad was the most difficult – but by far the best – decision I made during my studies at QUT. I had the opportunity to experience all aspects of student life the University of Liverpool and immerse myself in European culture through many trips across the continent. It was my first time travelling solo so there were an uncountable number of challenges, but they all helped me grow and I am grateful for every experience I had.
Studying at the University of Liverpool
Hi! I’m Vinesh and I study a Bachelor of Information Technology (Computer Science) / Bachelor of Laws (Honours). The University of Liverpool was my top choice for exchange due to the fascinating Law and Tech units they had on offer. I had the opportunity to apply regulatory theories to emerging technologies and learn all about the complex relationship between UK and EU intellectual property standards. Not to mention, I also took on an archaeology unit because … why not!
The most different part about classes compared to Australia was the strong focus on lectures: I had mandatory lectures every week (checked by an attendance code) that went into detail on the content, and seminars every three week that focused on a particular case study from the lecture. Not to mention, I had no control over my timetable so was required to attend 9am lectures on Mondays as well as 4pm seminars on Fridays. There was also a strong reliance on end of semester assessments: all of my subjects had 90% to 95% coursework essays that were 2000 to 3000 words each. This was a struggle at the end of semester as I spent three full weeks just writing essays, but the content was interesting enough that I made it through. I thoroughly enjoyed studying at the University of Liverpool and recommend it for all students interested in exploring the UK and Europe.
Life in Liverpool
After the 24+ hour journey to get to Liverpool, I was filled with excitement but also anxiety. I had heard some very negative things about Liverpool being unsafe and a boring city to be in; but I was blown away with the amount of culture crammed into this tiny city. Liverpool was named a UNESCO City of Music in 2015, and the city prides itself on this with multiple museums on music, a wide variety of concerts and show productions, and a strong respect for historic music venues. Of course, Liverpool is home to the Beatles and it’s hard to forget this when there’s a statue, pub or exhibition dedicated to them at every corner. Speaking of pubs, there are hundreds! Every few buildings is a pub with their own unique vibe and aesthetic, so we were very spoilt for choice on a night out. The city was alive at all hours of the day with lights and music, so I felt very safe walking around at night – even alone! Football pride is also very strong here, and it was so much fun going to a pub and being surrounded by so many people engaged in the same game. I also had the chance to visit Anfield for a Liverpool v Manchester United Women’s Football Match – much cheaper than the Men’s and just as incredible!
I felt at home in the University of Liverpool accommodation. I was lucky to be placed in an international flat with my own room and bathroom. My flatmates came from all over the world including the Netherlands, Norway, France, India, China and even some fellow Aussies! We became instant friends and spent some great time together both in the flat and exploring Liverpool. I also joined the Liverpool Bhangra Society which was a huge step as someone who has never danced before. This society was phenomenal: it connected me with fellow Indians and a part of my culture I hadn’t explored yet. The classes were beginner friendly and it was a very supportive environment. Taking that leap out of my comfort zone was the best decision I made while in Liverpool, and I will cherish the friends and memories I made at Bhangra class for the rest of my life.
Traveling across the UK and Europe
It was so easy to navigate around Liverpool and throughout the UK. The University of Liverpool campus is only a 15 to 20 minute walk from the city centre, making it very easy for quick shopping day or to return from a night out. The national rail train station (Liverpool Lime Street) is also a 20 minute walk away, making it simple to travel to a wide range of UK cities. Trainline became my best friend abroad. According to my Trainline statistics, I took 29 journeys across the UK and saved over 351kg of CO2! How cool is that! Through the national rail I was able to visit London (three times!), Manchester, Sheffield, Cambridge, Oxford, Birmingham, Leeds, Bristol, Bath, Glasgow and Edinburgh. I cannot recommend train travel enough for how simple it is, and how excellent Trainline is for finding the best timings for trains.
While Liverpool has an airport, I found it was more convenient to catch a flight out of Manchester. Being only an hour train ride away offered great flexibility for flying across the continent. On one trip I got to meet some Australian friends in Croatia, took a day trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and enjoyed the sights and sounds of Austria. Not to mention, flights are so cheap! It’s unbelievable you can travel to another country for less than a flight to Sydney! I highly recommend that every UK exchange student explores as much of Europe as you can to broaden your horizons on foreign cultures.
Pushing through the Challenges
With all these highs there were bound to be some challenges, and for me it was my health. I got sick several times throughout the exchange as I adjusted to the frigid UK climate, and at worst I had to take myself to the emergency department late on a Saturday night. This was only time I felt homesick, and I almost moved up my flight home. But, I pushed through and slowly recovered with the help of some distant relatives – who I only discovered after I got sick (it’s funny how life brings people together in the strangest ways). I am glad I experienced this extreme challenge as it taught me how to take care of myself and manage crazy situations with composure. It is important to remember that there will be challenges on your exchange, but how you respond to those challenges will make or break your experience. I am thrilled to say I made it through and I can look back on my experience with such joy.
All the very best for your exchange, and I hope you have a brilliant time exploring the world!
Find out more on how you can apply: Student Exchange
