Beatrice spent a term in Birmingham, England, studying at the University of Birmingham.
Monthly Trips to Cities around the UK! This spot was the city of Bath, England!
Beatrice's farewell party was a heartfelt way to celebrate the friendships and memories she made during her exchange at the University of Birmingham. While saying goodbye was difficult, she left with lifelong connections and unforgettable experiences.
Beatrice enjoyed exploring Christmas night markets across the UK.
Beatrice embraced British food culture by enjoying a traditional afternoon tea and Sunday roast—two must-try experiences during her exchange in the UK.
Beatrice made the most of her exchange by exploring new places with her boyfriend, embracing every adventure and creating memories that felt straight out of a movie.
Beatrice, Bachelor of Art in Therapeutic Recreation, Co-op
Q: Why did you choose your host country and institution?
- I chose to study abroad in England for its strong academic opportunities, central location for travel throughout Europe, and the chance to gain new perspectives on rehabilitation and sports. Although I had originally planned to study in Australia, England proved to be the perfect fit for my academic timeline and provided an unforgettable cultural, travel, and learning experience.
Q: What was an average day like in your program?
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A typical day involved physiotherapy classes with interactive, hands-on learning and early clinical experience, which I really enjoyed. My favourite part was the welcoming community—I made great friends, explored the city together, and experienced the lively social scene. Outside of school, I traveled throughout the UK and Europe with other exchange students, making my study abroad experience truly unforgettable.
Q: What was one of your favourite experiences from your time abroad?
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It’s hard to choose just one favourite memory from my exchange, but meeting my current boyfriend in the UK was a highlight I never expected. I also loved traveling around Europe with other exchange students—being able to explore a new country on the weekend and return in time for classes created unforgettable memories and lifelong friendships.
Q: What was it like to live and learn in another language? (If applicable)
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Although England is primarily English-speaking, one of the most meaningful parts of my exchange was connecting with students from diverse cultural backgrounds. As a Hong Kong Canadian, meeting international students from Hong Kong and across Asia helped me reconnect with my cultural roots, practice Cantonese, and develop a stronger sense of my cultural identity.
Q: Were there any challenges? If so, how did you overcome or cope with them?
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One of the biggest adjustments was managing my spending in a different currency and learning to navigate the UK's public transportation system. Although both took some time to get used to, they helped me become more confident and independent while traveling throughout the UK and Europe.
Q: Did any of your experiences challenge the assumptions you held about your host country or culture?
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My exchange challenged my assumption that England would be very similar to Canada. While both are English-speaking countries, I was surprised by England’s cultural diversity and the strong sense of community among students, which made it easy to build meaningful friendships and broaden my perspective.
Q: Has this exchange helped you personally, academically or professionally?
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My exchange helped me grow personally, academically, and professionally by building my independence, confidence, adaptability, and cultural awareness. It also gave me valuable insight into a different healthcare and education system, reinforcing my interest in rehabilitation and strengthening skills that will support my future career in healthcare.
Q: What were your experiences like when you returned home? Did your understandings about your own life or reflections on your experience change after you came back to Waterloo?
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Returning home was an adjustment because I missed the friendships and connections I had built in the UK. However, staying in touch with many of those friends has shown me that meaningful relationships can last across distances, and the experience gave me confidence in my ability to adapt and create a sense of home wherever I go.
Q: If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?
- I have no major regrets about my exchange; I truly made the most of my time abroad, both academically and personally. I challenged myself, explored new places, met incredible people, and created memories I will always cherish. If I could change one thing, I would have joined more clubs or student organizations to open myself to even more friendships and experiences. Overall, though, I am incredibly grateful for how my exchange unfolded and would not change much about it.
Q: Do you have any advice for Waterloo students thinking of studying abroad?
- To any Waterloo student considering studying abroad: go for it! Leaving your comfort zone can be intimidating, but the rewards are incredible. Embrace every opportunity to travel, meet people from around the world, experience a different education system, and discover more about yourself. Say yes to new experiences, put yourself out there, and make the most of every moment—you may come home with lifelong friendships, unforgettable memories, and one of the best decisions you made during university.