About me

Originally from Manchester, UK, I initially studied Business Management (Study Abroad) at the University of Chester. However, I quickly realised that Chester wasn’t the right fit for me, so I made the bold decision to start over at Lancaster University, pursuing a degree in Business Management. From the moment I arrived, I felt valued and supported. The small but meaningful aspects, like the strong sense of community and the emphasis on mental health support, helped me settle in and reassured me that I had made the right choice.

As part of my academic journey at Lancaster, I had the incredible opportunity to study at HEC Montréal during the summer of 2024. I spent four weeks there from July to August, gaining international experience and broadening my perspective on business in a global context.

Why I chose to study abroad

During my time at Chester, I realised that I needed to make the most of my university experience and challenge myself beyond the classroom. When I transferred to Lancaster, I knew I wanted to do something meaningful over the summer, something that would truly count.

How Lancaster University helped me find my study abroad opportunity

I attended a talk where past students shared their experiences, including those who had studied at Kozminski University and other institutions. Hearing their stories made studying abroad feel more real and achievable, which got me thinking seriously about it.

I also had a meeting with Jordan, who is part of the LUMS Global Experiences team and who helped me understand the process, and spoke with my Lancaster Success Programme coach about whether it was the right move for me. Those conversations gave me the confidence to take the leap, and in the end, I decided to go for it.

My first day

My first day of study abroad was a whirlwind of emotions. After an eight-hour flight from Amsterdam to Canada, I spent most of the journey stressing about whether I had made the right decision. The moment I landed, though, I was greeted by beautiful weather, which helped ease some of my nerves. I hopped into a taxi driven by a guy named Charles, who couldn’t stop raving about how much he loved Montreal, a small but reassuring moment that made me feel like I was in for something special.

The nerves didn’t disappear instantly. But instead of sitting in uncertainty, I decided to explore a little, taking in my new surroundings and slowly adjusting to life in Montreal.

Favourite activities

My favourite activities definitely included the excursions organised by the university. We had a private walking tour around Montreal, visited a planetarium, and even took part in a creative photo challenge where we had to capture a moment and write about it, with prizes for the top three entries. These experiences helped me see the city in a unique way, but what truly made my time special were the adventures planned by my new friends.

The highlight of my trip was spending time with Elina, my favourite person there, who took the lead in organising unforgettable experiences. She planned trips to Toronto and Niagara Falls, where I got to enjoy the best prime rib at the top of the CN Tower. We also visited Montreal’s La Ronde theme park, an entirely new experience for me since I had never been on roller coasters before.

Awkward moments

Studying abroad came with its fair share of awkward moments. One of the most memorable was when Angela, an amazing Ugandan woman in my class, told me I was the first ginger person she had ever seen. I wasn’t sure how to respond, so I just laughed and took it as a compliment. Then there was Gentry, an American guy who decided to call me “Chuck” the entire time, apparently short for Charles, which was definitely a new experience.

Another challenge was not knowing any French. The lessons moved so fast that I could barely keep up, making me feel completely out of my depth. But the most awkward moment of all? Discovering that my apartment in Canada didn’t have a kettle. Thankfully, I found salvation at the HEC Montréal café, where I had the best coffee of my life, so maybe that awkward moment had a silver lining after all.

Best memories

Some of my best memories from studying abroad came from the incredible people I met and the adventures we shared. Travelling around Montreal by metro became second nature, and one of the highlights was going to a CF Montréal game with a group of Americans, experiencing North American football firsthand.

Beyond the big trips, it was the little moments that stuck with me. Having a poutine date, watching Copa América downstairs with everyone, hiking up Mont Royal, and eating way too many Five Guys cheeseburgers became staples of my experience. But above all, it was the friendships that made it unforgettable. Meeting Elina, Edward, Pedro, Gentry, and so many others turned those few weeks into something truly special. I’ll admit I even cried on the plane ride home because of how much I loved it.

What I gained from studying abroad

Studying abroad was a transformative experience that pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow as a person. It was my first time travelling solo, and through it, I discovered a whole new world, met incredible people, immersed myself in a different culture, and even picked up a little French along the way. More than just an academic experience, it gave me a new perspective on life and the confidence to embrace the unknown.

One of the biggest takeaways was the ambition to explore and seize every opportunity that comes my way. That mindset is exactly why I decided to transfer to the study abroad course and spend a year at Bocconi University. Studying abroad showed me what I’m capable of, instilled a belief in myself, and sparked a desire to keep pushing my limits and live life to the fullest.

Taking that first step to HEC Montréal didn’t just change my summer, it changed me. It set me on a path of discovery, ambition, and a hunger for every opportunity that comes next!

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