Almudena Lopez de Cardenas Rodriguez

Hola! My name is Almudena and I am studying MSc Ecological Economics, having completed an undergraduate degree in BA Environment and Business. Before coming to Leeds I lived in Mexico City, where I got my IB Diploma in high school at The Churchill College.

When I decided that I wanted to stay in Leeds to study my postgraduate degree, I found Ecological Economics MSc. I instantly fell in love with the course description and found all the modules outlined on the website very interesting. I knew right away this was the right course for me!

Academically, this experience has been both challenging and enriching. Lecturers are constantly encouraging us to go above and beyond what we learn in lectures, and offer a wide range of materials and resources that could further complement our knowledge. Learning is interactive and engaging, making lectures very enjoyable. All the content is, in my opinion, always very interesting and offering diverse perspectives that challenge us to develop more critical and analytical thinking. In addition, both students and teachers alike ensure that the learning environment is welcoming for international students like myself. We are even assigned a personal tutor who is always available to provide support for both academic and personal matters! This has certainly been useful for me in the past. 

The thing I like the most about my course is that everything I have learnt so far has made me feel more prepared and excited for the future. All my lecturers have taught me invaluable things that have only made my passion for my course even greater. My modules have helped me gain the knowledge and skills require for the career I want to go into finishing my course, and have helped me delve into my interest in different areas of sustainability. The academic characteristics of the university are certainly all I wanted and more! 

Beyond the exceptional academic opportunities, Leeds offers a wonderful lifestyle. Living in Leeds as an international student has been one of the greatest experiences of my life, and far exceeded my expectations! There is so much to love, explore, and discover: parks, museums, restaurants, bars, shops, and of course the people. One of the things I’m most grateful for that this city has given me is the opportunity to meet lovely people, who soon became my closest friends. Everyone in Leeds is very polite and welcoming, always willing to offer a helping hand when you’re in need! That is something I love about this city. In my spare time, I often enjoy grabbing a pint at The Original Oak in Headingly, or having lunch at Belgrave Music Hall’s rooftop in the city centre with my friends. One of the biggest meeting points for students is Woodhouse Moor. Whether it’s snowball fights in winter, or picnics under the sun in summer, this park is the perfect place to enjoy the weekend. 

During my first year in Leeds (three years ago) I lived in Central Village, a student accommodation found right between the university and the city centre. Living there was a very enjoyable experience, and the residence has all the amenities and services I could have asked for! I also like its location, as it was easy for me to walk anywhere I ever needed to go. It’s only a 5-minute walk to the university campus. Also, there are many shops, restaurants and pubs nearby. After that I lived in Hyde Park, a popular student area, in a rented house with my friends! It is so much fun to live here because Hyde Park is full of life and there are so many places you can go to, from the beautiful park to delicious cafés and bars. I also like this location because it is easy to go to both the city centre and Headingley, which is another popular student area. 

I hope hearing about my experience has been helpful for you. If you want to chat with me about anything, feel free to message me on Unibuddy or through email almudena-link@leeds.ac.uk. Looking forward to hearing from you!