Why visit the UK?
Besides the greenery of the university campus, the welcoming city and the scattered historical ruins in York, the UK has numerous places to discover. From historical visits, to nature visits or even shopping trips, there is a point of interest for everyone! Visiting York is a great place to start in order to familiarise yourself with where you will be living during the course of your studies. Expanding your field of discovery is a wonderful way to learn about a different culture and unearth new experiences.
As an international student, I am grateful I have had the opportunity to experience life in a new country and form meaningful relationships with the people there. I would greatly encourage others to do the same! There are plenty of ways this could be done: from solo travelling to planning trips with friends or signing up for a university organised trip. These are all great ways to broaden your horizons while in the UK.
Trips – My experiences
Unforgettable experiences can be formed when visiting new places no matter the season. Throughout my time at university I have done both winter and spring trips. Both seasons provide wonderful experiences as the weather can truly enhance your experience.
Edinburgh
My first trip as a student was to Edinburgh and is one I will never forget. My friends and I had organised a weekend trip which consisted of taking the train at 7am on a Saturday in order to make the most of this opportunity.
When we arrived there was a thick layer of snow creating a beautiful scenery. Our first stop was Greyfriars Kirkyard Cemetery, known for its historical significance due to its haunted reputation. Followed by a visit to the National Galleries which included art from Velázquez, Van Gogh and William McTaggart. The mix of both international and Scottish artists was a beautiful display of the multicultural opportunities in the UK.
That evening we made the most of the christmas market and enjoyed a large array of sweet treats. Unfortunately on Sunday all the snow had evaporated but the day consisted of sightseeing and a relaxing walk in the Royal Botanical Gardens of Edinburgh. It was a lovely afternoon filled with biodiversity and discovery. However, our visit came to an end and we returned to York Sunday evening but not before purchasing cute travel souvenirs!
Knaresborough
Knaresborough during the spring is an amazing day trip which I would recommend to anyone who enjoys exploring new places. Not only is it particularly close to York but it has picturesque architecture and striking scenery. While our day started off with a slight drizzle the sun slowly came out revealing its beauty.
Our day was spent visiting the botanical gardens, even holding a dragonfly, and wandering around the town. We journeyed through the forest and up the hill, where we were grateful for the wonderful views that day.
An amazing way to discover new places is through simply walking around and hoping to come across a hidden treasure. That’s how my friends and I discovered a quiet, cozy spot behind a church with a communal garden where we had a picnic.
Additionally, through Knaresborough runs a river that you can navigate through rentable boats, a great activity with lots of laughs! I’m certain another spring-time trip to Knaresborough will be organised this year.
Very Nice piece, informative, illusttrative and rich.