"I always knew I wanted to study abroad. It's not without its challenges; you are pushed out of your comfort zone. When my mum waved goodbye on my first day, it dawned on me how alone I was in a country I didn’t know. However, the experience has taught me that I can do anything."
This week's Human of York is History of Art student Amy, who recently spent a year studying abroad at Leiden University in the Netherlands.
She tell us what it was like to spend a full academic year living and studying in another country.
Amy said: "Leiden University’s proximity to the UK and its similarity in size to York drew me to study there. Leiden is one of the oldest universities in the Netherlands and has its own collection of famous art works.
"As I adapted to living in a new country, I discovered a quiet self-confidence I hadn’t known before. I also gained a new passion for my degree subject. I had never studied art from the Netherlands before, but specialists in the field taught me and inspired me to write my dissertation on the subject.
"Day-to-day, I loved cycling around the city and sitting by the many beautiful canals with my friends, reading, swimming, or hiring boats with a picnic. I really enjoyed getting the train to discover the many amazing towns and cities in the Netherlands.
“I cannot stress enough how much I enjoyed and was shaped by this experience, and I was lucky to be surrounded by other like-minded international students who also wanted to get the most out of the opportunity.
"My advice to anyone considering studying abroad is to go for it! It is such a unique experience that stands out on your CV. The skills and friends you make are life changing. When else do you get the experience to study and live in another country, to fully embrace another culture for a whole year?"
Amy, History of Art, Humans of York, November 2025
