Fadiah Maghrbi

What I like about Leeds is that it’s quite compact and everything is just a few minutes away. I really appreciate being able to walk everywhere – to the University, into the city centre, to my accommodation. At home in Saudi Arabia, I live in a bigger city, with busy streets and buildings all around. I like the parks and green spaces around Leeds. They help you relax.

I love the yoga and Zumba classes at the Edge (the University’s sports centre). There are classes at lots of different times, so I can easily fit them around my studies and work.

There’s so much to do around the city too. I wanted to learn guitar, so I found Leeds College of Music and started guitar classes; I wanted to take cooking classes, so I found a cookery school and now I can make steak at home! I’ve taken a coffee-making workshop and tried a salsa class. Whatever it is you’re interested in, just look online and you’ll find it. My friends are always amazed I know about so many things. 

I have a translating job, which I found through the students’ union’s Joblink website. Getting practical experience in the UK, alongside my studies, is great. My job is in Ilkley, a small town on the edge of Leeds, so it also means I’ve seen a bit of green English countryside too!

I love the easy access to the rest of the UK because Leeds is more or less in the middle. I’ve visited Manchester, Liverpool and London.