I must say studying abroad at Leeds is one of the most incredible things in my life. I would suggest that if you love England and want to experience the British culture, Leeds must be one of your choices.
Leeds is a nice place to live. I love the trees and grasses here which cannot be easily found in my home city, Hong Kong. The student life here is spectacular. The lecturers are very helpful and enthusiastic. And you could make friends and meet people all over the world.
Besides, I am honored that I was chosen as one of the winners of the Travel Award of the University of Leeds. As an ambassador of my host university, I am honored that I have opportunities to promote my home city to the students here. These experiences are definitely invaluable and unforgettable. I enjoy the exchange life at Leeds very much. I am pleased that I have this opportunity to explore the world and develop my global perspectives.
Chui Ying Chan, City University of Hong Kong
Studied in Leeds in 2008

My time at Leeds has gone far too quickly and I'll be sorry to leave.
The facilities at Leeds are above and beyond what I’m used to. My friends and I made good use of the two gyms, especially the fitness classes which are well taught. The on campus shops mean that you can get everything from toothpaste to a good cup of coffee on site, and the pride Leeds students have in their university is shown by the popularity of the campus clothing shop.
The English Department's programme was one of the reasons I chose to study at Leeds, and I was definitely not disappointed. The teaching has been interesting and I've really enjoyed the emphasis on peer and self learning.
Undoubtedly one of the highlights of my time at Leeds has been the opportunity to travel, with new friends. Leeds is well located for going almost anywhere in the country, and the International trips have been well organised – I'd definitely recommend them!
Freya Hill, Victoria University of Wellington
Studied in Leeds 2008

Leeds has been great. I wasn't expecting much from a city I had never heard of, but I have been pleasantly surprised. I really like the student life here. Coming from Sydney University, where everyone comes from all over Sydney, it was a nice change to be so close to everyone and to be so close to the university. Everything is much cheaper than I expected, especially for students. Overall I am very glad I came to Leeds, I have met some great people and have had a great time so far.
Katinka Day, University of Sydney
Studied in Leeds 2008

Attending the University of Leeds for the Spring 2008 semester has been a positive experience. In some respects, both Penn State University and the University of Leeds are similar in nature. Both universities offer a diverse course selection and offer a host of interesting activities designed to make any student feel right at home. What differs between both schools can be defined in one word: Leeds. The City of Leeds is a growing metropolitan area. It offers clubs, movies, museums, theater, and a wide array of shopping malls and restaurants. Leeds is also one of the main hubs in the United Kingdom. From the downtown area, you can board a train at Leeds Station or fly to most any European capitol city.
During the course of my studies, I found time to not only get to know the local people, but I also found time to visit the cities of Dublin, Edinburgh, Amsterdam, Brussels, London, and Athens. Attending the university has enriched me culturally and has made me realize that the world is not as big as we may think. My travels, coupled with all the new friends I have made and the university’s academic instruction have made this semester an unforgettable experience. It is something that all students should experience at least once in their lifetime.
Lisa Vogel, Penn State University
Studied in Leeds 2008  

Studying abroad anywhere is always an eye-opening experience, but at Leeds I was presented with so many opportunities to get involved on campus. I trained with the rugby team, joined a religious organization, and met tons of great people - both local and international. With a university of this size, it's so easy to get involved because the choices are endless. The Give-It-A-Go program also provides some great opportunities for free activities to try out. Coming from America, I didn't think I would experience much of a culture shock. Living in England is similar enough that I didn't have difficulty adjusting, but I still found myself always asking tons of 
questions so I could better understand what was going on. American English is not the same as British English! But I love the differences and everything that I've learned.
All of the people that I met made my semester a great experience. The International Office really helped to make us feel welcome and give us advice whenever we needed it. And the people that I met were so friendly and welcoming, from the girls on the rugby team to the other students I met in my lectures. When I visited some of my American friends in London, I appreciated that they were closer to the more "touristy" attractions of England, but they didn't have the same interaction with locals that I did. I definitely benefited from choosing a city like Leeds, that has all of the big-city fun, but with a great small-town feel. 
If I have any regrets at all, it's only that I didn't manage to stay longer!
Sally Smith, Penn State University
Studied in Leeds 2008

Thinking back at my experience in Leeds, I automatically have a smile on my face because there are only good memories that come up to my mind. I found in Leeds people that were very welcoming and friendly. Because various societies are part of the Student Union, it gave me the opportunity of trying new activities and meet new people. During my stay, I had a go at swing dance, mountaineering, netball and hiking. I also really enjoyed staying in the university halls. My roommates became friends that I will never forget.
As well, I was a bit stressed about studying in English, because French is my first language. Fortunately, I found all the support I needed in the university language centre. I found it very comforting to know I could find the help I wanted if I ever needed it. I also really appreciated the teaching I was given. The teachers encouraged us to have a critical approach and to think for ourselves. I enjoyed having seminars, which I do not have in my home university, because it allowed me to have a direct contact with teachers. It was a great challenge to study abroad, but my stay in Leeds was so enriching I would not hesitate to participate to an exchange program again.
Read Martine's account of her first month in Leeds here
Martine Sirois, University of Montreal, Canada
Studied in Leeds 2007/08

Coming from a city where the university is very much integrated into the downtown core, it was very different to go to a place where the school was almost self-sufficient. My student union is a small building with a few services, so I'd never heard of one that incorporated shops, a pub, and meeting spaces all in the same place. That is definitely quite a cool idea, but it might have made me a little lazy.
Leeds isn't the kind of place you'd visit for a few days as a tourist. Nearby York and even the relatively close (by train) London and even closer Birmingham give you lots of opportunities though. Neither is Leeds immediately beautiful or attractive -- it gives up its secrets only to those who are patient. As a student here for a year, I feel like I've found a few of those.
It's funny; coming to Leeds I wasn't sure I'd made the right choice. London seems the immediate decision for anyone considering a year in England, but it seemed overly obvious to me. I wanted someplace different and somehow, Leeds seemed right. Looking back now at the end of my stay, I'll really miss the city, the school, and the friends I've made here. Don't let anyone tell you there's nothing in the north -- it's an awesome place to study and live, and you get to make fun of the all the "soft" southern folks in London.
Matt Kopas, University of Toronto, Canada
Studied in Leeds 2007/08