Valeria Curiel Campos - Trent Study Abroad Program

Why did you decide to travel abroad?: I have always wanted to travel around the world and see what is out there, I wanted to expand my mind and consider the possibilities I may have in the future.

Why did you choose to study at Liverpool Hope University? How did you learn about it?: I did some research for some of the best schools for political science that Trent has partnerships with, and Liverpool Hope University had a very good rank. Liverpool is in the north of England and the beach is close to Liverpool. The reviews online about Liverpool and the University were exactly what I was looking for.

What was your experience like? What are some of the differences & similarities with Trent?: Studying at Liverpool Hope University gave me the sense of community I was looking for. I lived in a student residence, and they had events every day of the week, the setup of the residence was an apartment-style, so it was easier to get to know my roommates. Everyone in my classes was super interested in getting to know the international students because the percentage of international students is not as big as at Trent University. The workload was not as difficult as I expected it to be, I took 4 classes. However, some of them were divided and structured differently. For my British Life class, I had a different professor every week and the final project that was worth 100% was a presentation. For my business class, it was only for the last 6 weeks of the program and the final exam was also worth 100%. Finally, for my last two classes, I had the same class that counted as two and in the end, I had to write two final exams also worth 100% each.

What did you find was the most challenging/difficult while abroad? : I had an accident while I was studying abroad, and I had to go to the emergency room to get some stitches. One of the hardest parts for me was to figure out if my travel insurance or my Trent coverage would pay for it. Fortunately, the security guys from Liverpool Hope University were highly prepared for an emergency like that one and walked me through the process. The school security team and the coordinator of the program looked out for me even days after to make sure I was alright.

In your opinion, what would you say are the benefits of studying abroad? : It definitely helps you get out of your comfort zone, before going abroad I had only visited Canada and Mexico. My perception of life and opportunities was limited to both countries on the same continent. Now, I can say that my opportunities in life have no limits and the world is full of possibilities. I feel more motivated to finish my studies and open doors I did not even know existed.

What was one of your favourite memories from your time abroad? : I travelled with my classmates to Edinburgh, Scotland from Liverpool and it was one of my greatest memories in the UK. We booked a hostel and shared a room with my classmates that eventually became my friends after that trip. We took the train from Liverpool to Scotland and visited a lot of castles. I fell in love with the city and the people from Edinburgh.

If someone told you they were thinking about studying abroad but weren’t convinced they should, what would you tell them? : This is a one-of-a-lifetime opportunity that would help you in the future in all aspects of your life. This would help you make connections and get you out of your comfort zone. Travelling around the world helps you have a different perspective on life and realize that the world is full of opportunities.