'Every time I go to the coast, I feel like I'm in a movie'

Isabella, from Colombia, is pursuing her master's in violence, terrorism, and security at Queen's University Belfast. She shares how her academic and cultural experiences have shaped her journey and encourages other international students to embrace the opportunity to study abroad.

'Both Colombia and Northern Ireland are very resilient countries'

I chose to study in the UK because there are many academic programmes from universities with high international reputations. Northern Ireland and Queen's University Belfast, specifically, are remarkable because of the country's history of peacebuilding, justice and reconciliation. Northern Ireland has been a very resilient country, as has Colombia, so I think they complement each other. It’s interesting to have now experienced living in both.

Queen's belongs to the Russell Group, which makes it even more impressive and caught my attention from the beginning. Academically, my programme has been enriched by a robust interdisciplinary base. I’ve learned a lot from different fields in social sciences, which has helped me improve my knowledge from my undergraduate degree.

The programme also involves lectures and guest speakers from all over the world. They give you different perspectives from various experiences, which enrich your knowledge. For example, during my first semester, we had several lectures from a guest from Colombia. Having my own country's experience reflected in an international course was amazing. It showed me they aren't just focusing on Europe or the US but bringing in global perspectives.

'There are so many networking opportunities - we even had a visit from the Ambassador of South Korea'

It’s incredible that my university and course encourage my classmates and me to study at places like the NATO offices in Brussels. For me, that was huge. It’s great for students because we get to visit places where we might work in the future. I’d love to work for the United Nations or NATO, so being in these environments already feels like a step closer to my career.

The programme is very focused on networking. Not only do you meet students from other universities, but also professionals in our field. This helps you think about your future career and provides a lot of practical insights. We’ve had city tours focusing on the conflict in Northern Ireland, which allowed us to learn from people who lived through it. Hearing their stories helps you understand the field you’re studying in a much deeper way. It’s not just theory; the city itself becomes part of your education.

I also appreciate the networking opportunities with professors and guest lecturers who have so much valuable knowledge. For example, we had a visit from the Ambassador of South Korea, who spoke about his experiences, and it was fascinating to hear from such a high-level diplomat.

'I found Belfast to be the most affordable place to study at a Russell Group university in the UK'

I found Belfast to be one of the most affordable places to live as a student in the UK, especially in terms of accommodation. I pay £155 per week, whereas in other cities, that is hard to find. This has made it possible for me to live comfortably while studying and has also allowed me to travel.

Reframing studying abroad, or in the UK specifically, as an investment in your future rather than just spending money makes a difference. I’ve been able to balance my expenses by working with the university as a student ambassador, and many students from the UK and abroad also work part-time jobs. Belfast is a student-friendly city with many discounts available, and I’ve found plenty of affordable places to shop for food, like Lidl, Iceland, and Tesco.

In general, I think the city is aware that it’s full of international students, so it offers many good deals and student discounts. This makes living here manageable and affordable, even as an international student.

'I now feel more comfortable socialising and expressing myself in English'

At first, the language was a slight barrier, but not in a way that stopped me from understanding classes or participating. It was more about feeling comfortable socialising and expressing myself fully in English. In my course, there were only two of us whose first language wasn’t English, so I had to adapt. Eventually, I got more confident with the help of my peers, and I found that people were always very open to helping me. Some of them even ask me to teach them Spanish, which has become a fun, mutual learning experience.

I didn’t come to the UK or Northern Ireland to feel like I was in Colombia. I came here to experience something different, and though it was hard at the start, it’s been beautiful to feel myself grow in this new environment. I’ve made friends from many different countries, which is one of the most valuable parts of my experience as an international student.

'One of the greatest things has been making friends from all over the world'

One of the greatest things about studying abroad is the chance to meet people from all over the world. I’ve met people from Malaysia, Indonesia, India, and Pakistan, and learning about their traditions has been a highlight. There’s something special about the friendships you make with other international students because we all share the same feeling of being far from home. These connections have been a key part of my experience in Northern Ireland.

Belfast is a very diverse city, of course, but it’s not as multicultural as other cities in the UK, like London. It has been hard for me to find a Latin American community here, and that has sometimes made me feel a bit lonely. But I’ve met so many people from different countries who feel the same way and share that experience of being far from home. It brings us together. Building those connections and friendships in Belfast has helped me a lot, and staying in touch with my family back in Colombia also makes me feel better.

I remember one moment when I was grocery shopping on my first day in Belfast. I had no bags, and everything fell out of my arms in the street. I didn’t know what I was going to do, as I was completely on my own and didn’t know anyone yet. A woman immediately came over and offered me her bag. I was so touched by her kindness. People in Belfast are incredibly friendly, and that small moment of her helping me when I needed it has been one of my favourite memories so far.

'The Northern Irish countryside has some of the most stunning landscapes I've ever seen'

One of the things I’ve enjoyed most about living here is learning about British and Northern Irish culture—it’s amazing to learn about their history, conditions, and backgrounds. At the same time, I’ve met so many people from different places, and it has enriched my knowledge of the world because I get to learn how others think and share my traditions as well.

Living in Northern Ireland has been an exciting experience—Belfast is a vibrant and beautiful city, and the Northern Irish countryside has some of the most stunning landscapes I’ve ever seen. Every time I go to the coastline, I feel like I’m in a movie. It’s a very green island surrounded by beautiful blue and sapphire sea… it’s been one of the most surprising and enjoyable aspects of my time here.

'Belfast is a very vibrant city with lots of hidden gems'

Travelling has been so easy. I’ve explored the North Coast of Northern Ireland and seen the cliffs and castles that make this place feel like a movie set. The cold, breezy weather adds to the atmosphere. It's easy to travel from the city centre of Belfast to anywhere in the countryside, and I think every student should take the opportunity to get outside the city and experience the landscapes.

There are so many cultural events in Belfast too. Sometimes they are hard to find, as the city doesn’t always advertise them as well as it could, but once you start looking, there’s so much to do. Jazz concerts, city tours, museums, fascinating conferences—you’ll never get bored. It’s a very vibrant city with a lot of hidden gems.

'I've discovered my love of the outdoors and have enjoyed being able to travel around the UK and Europe'

Another thing I’ve discovered about myself while living here is my love for outdoor activities. In Colombia, we don’t have distinct seasons like in the UK. We have a dry season and a rainy season, but no full winter, spring, or summer. I’ve realised that I’m naturally a summer person. I love spending time outdoors, whether going to the beach, running, walking in the park, or just enjoying the sunshine (when I can). But I’ve also learned how to spend time and enjoy myself in the winter by doing more indoor activities like chatting over coffee or experimenting with cooking. The seasons influence what you can do here, and I’ve had to adjust to it, but I’ve enjoyed the variety.

I’ve also had the chance to travel around the UK, including to London, which was so much fun, and to other nearby countries. Living in the UK makes it easy to travel across Europe, and earlier in the year, I went to Vienna to visit a friend for Easter break. I feel like I’m living my best life in Europe.

'Be patient at every stage of the process'

My advice for future students is to be patient at every stage of the process, from choosing a university to organising a student visa to finding accommodation. It can take time, but it’s worth it. Also, be prepared for the weather – it rains a lot in the UK, so you’ll need to get used to that.

Most importantly, see studying abroad as an investment in your future. You might spend more than you would studying at home, but the experiences you gain will be priceless. You’ll meet new people, travel, and grow in ways you never imagined.

Belfast is a beautiful city, and the Northern Irish countryside is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. I encourage students to come here, not just for the academics but for the chance to see the world from a new perspective.