A semester spent at Lund University, Sweden, was and will always be one of the most rewarding and enjoyable times of my life. For a country that is known for being dark and cold for a good part of the year, I have never met warmer people, nor found a more vibrant little town. Filled with students and academics, all riding their bikes through the old cobblestone streets, Lund is a charming little haven for academia.

The university itself offered me a great deal academically, with lecturers that were clearly at the top of their fields and subjects that were at times very challenging. The greatest reward of my exchange experience, however, was undoubtedly the lessons it taught me about myself as a person. Landing yourself in an unknown environment, taking on the small yet sometimes daunting challenges of adjusting, and forging new relationships with those around you, all build a personal strength and adaptability that I believe no other experience can give.

I met great friends from all over the world, with whom I remain in constant contact and who I plan to visit in the near future. These friendships, as well as the realisation that the world is truly mine for the taking, are the basis of an international outlook for which I have exchange to thank. I can’t wait to get out there and see more! Exchange in Lund was a blast – a time of great fun, new experiences, new abilities and new horizons. It was truly a lesson in life.