Bonjour! Ola! Ciao!
This week the university hosted it’s annual study aboard fair for all you wannabe jet-setters! I went along to represent my host university (Leiden) and begging our Erasmus Institutional Co-Ordinator (Pamela Brown) to let me go back (a resounding no but worth a shot).
Feeling rather nostalgic I decided to share some of my experiences of studying abroad and ten reasons why you should apply before the deadline.
REASON 1: WE HAVE SOME AMAZING UNIVERSITIES TO CHOOSE FROM
When it comes to partnerships, the University of Dundee has some impressive links! For example, Leiden Law School is ranked top law school in the Netherlands and 24th in the world. So you can tell all your friends that you’re really really smart…
REASON 2: IT WILL LOOK REALLY GOOD ON YOUR CV
Apparently people who go on exchange are 99% more likely to get a job. Ok… that’s a made up figure… but studying abroad does look really good on your CV and will help you stand out from the crowd!
REASON 3: YOU CAN LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE
Ever been in a queue and the people behind you are talking and laughing in another language and you wonder if they’re talking about you? Well you can find out! Study abroad and learn a new language to find out what people are saying about you behind you’re back 🙂
REASON 4: YOU WILL MAKE FRIENDS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD
One of the best parts of studying abroad is the people you meet. There are very few opportunities in life where you have the opportunity to make friends for life from all over the world. In the long run this will save you a fortune on Airbnbs.
REASON 5: IMMERSE IN THE CULTURE
Gah yeah? More like study abroad yeah. Spending time abroad will give you the opportunity to embrace culture and experience new things. For example, I visited the Banksy Museum in Amsterdam and now all my friends think I’m #edgy.
REASON 6: YOU WILL GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL
Weekends away are an inevitability of studying abroad. Hopping on and off a plane and getting to visit a new city every few weeks is really exciting and one of the best parts of studying abroad. *Warning you might catch the travel bug*
REASON 7: THINK OF THE TAN
If you think your tan looks good after two weeks in Vale De Lobo with your mates think what a year of sun, sea and sand will do for your looks. Disclaimer: probably don’t choose the Netherlands if this is you’re main motivation, the climate is pretty similar to the UK…
REASON 8: WE HAVE PAMELA BROWN
Just because you’re studying abroad at a host university doesn’t mean Dundee has forgotten you! Our Erasmus Co-Oridnator, Pamela Brown, provides fantastic support to all outgoing students to help you stay organised and provides a shoulder to cry on if you’re ever feeling a little home sick (which I doubt you will).
REASON 9: YOU’LL GET A TONNE OF INSTAGRAM LIKES
Think your instafamous now? Wait until you upload a selfie standing next to the Eiffel Tower with a bottle of champagne while all your mates are at their 9am obligations lecture lol
REASON 10: IT WILL CHANGE YOU
Quite simply, studying abroad is a life changing experience which will shape you and your future and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
If any law students would like some more specific advice about Leiden University – about the city, the modules, accommodation- please feel free to fire me an email at harryjohnmartin@aol.co.uk or Instagram message me on @hrymrtn Happy to help !
Best of luck!
HARRY