The campus felt like home as soon as I got there. My course was filled with like-minded students from similar backgrounds and the city of Liverpool is big enough to have a world class cultural and leisure offer, but small enough to be able to walk everywhere and quickly get your bearings.

Libary was very good (although didn't always have enough copies of the books we needed!). Access to computers was fine, other resources all available

I was aware lots of initiatives existed but not sure I appreciated how valuable they might have been to take up at the the time (eg careers advice, health, medical etc)

Our union didn't ever feel as big on social participation as others when I visited friends at different Universities, but the social and nightlife offer around the city made up for it.

Liveprool is a great city to live and study in (I'm still here!)

I wish I'd joined in more - I didn't really know many people who participated and didn't have the confidence to join things on my own. The union could have done more to promote opportunities and highlight how important extra curricular activities would be in future career

The teaching was generally really good but there was fierce competition for some of the more popular modules

Liverpool as a city has some big employers but the market for graduates is increasingly competitive. The majority of my friends from university have now moved back to their home towns or London

The catered student halls I stayed in were great but I know others didn't have such a great experience.

Coming to Liverpool from Italy, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. I hoped for good classes and decent weather (I was optimistic). What I found at the University of Liverpool was something much more meaningful — a place where I felt comfortable almost immediately. The campus has this mix of history and energy that makes you proud to study there. The red-brick buildings give it character, but it never feels old-fashioned. The libraries are always full, the Guild is always busy, and there’s this quiet sense that everyone is working towards something. Academically, it pushed me in a good way. As an Italian student, I was used to more traditional lectures. Here, seminars feel like conversations. Professors want to hear your opinion. At first that was intimidating, but it helped me grow — not just academically, but personally. What really made the experience special, though, was the people. Starting from zero in a new country is scary. But within weeks, I had friends from all over the world. I stopped feeling like “the exchange student” and just felt like another student figuring things out. And then there’s Liverpool itself. The music culture, the humour, the waterfront — even the unpredictable weather — it all adds to the experience. It’s a city with personality. You feel it everywhere, from the legacy of The Beatles to the conversations you overhear in cafés. This exchange hasn’t just improved my English or added something to my CV. It’s made me more independent, more confident, and more open. I came here for a semester abroad. I’m leaving with a second home!

One of the best aspects of my course at the University of Liverpool has been the teaching style. As an Italian exchange student, I was used to more lecture-based learning, where you mostly listen and take notes. Here, seminars feel interactive and dynamic. Professors genuinely encourage discussion, and your opinion matters. At first, that was intimidating — especially in another language — but it pushed me to become more confident and independent in my thinking. Another highlight has been the diversity in the classroom. Being surrounded by students from different countries and academic backgrounds makes discussions richer. You don’t just learn the subject; you learn how others see it. That global perspective is something I will take with me long after this exchange. If I had to mention a challenging aspect, it would be adapting to the academic expectations. The system here places a lot of emphasis on independent study and critical analysis. In the beginning, I found it difficult to understand exactly what was expected in essays and assessments, especially with different grading criteria than I’m used to in Italy. It required a period of adjustment and self-discipline. However, even this “worst” aspect became part of the growth. It taught me how to manage my time better, how to research more efficiently, and how to trust my own ideas. Overall, the course has challenged me in the right ways. It hasn’t always been easy — but that’s exactly why it has been valuable.

What I like most about the halls at the University of Liverpool is the social atmosphere. As an exchange student arriving from Italy, I didn’t know anyone at first, and living in halls made that transition so much easier. You’re constantly surrounded by other students who are also adjusting, which creates an instant sense of community. Sharing kitchens, cooking together (and sometimes comparing British vs. Italian food standards!), and having spontaneous late-night conversations made it feel less like accommodation and more like a shared experience. Another big positive is convenience. Being close to campus means you’re never far from lectures, the library, or the gym. It makes daily life simple and structured, which is especially helpful when you’re adapting to a new academic system. If I had to choose something I like least, it would probably be the lack of privacy at times. Sharing common spaces means noise, different routines, and occasionally messy kitchens. It’s part of student life, but it can be challenging when you need quiet or personal space. However, even that comes with a lesson. Living in halls teaches you patience, communication, and independence. You learn how to live with people who are different from you — and that’s a big part of the university experience!