Dilshan Herrera Gooneratne

Hi there! My name is Dilshan and I’m originally from Sri Lanka and The Philippines, but I’ve spent my time growing up in Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia. Before attending Leeds, I completed my high school education in Jakarta, Indonesia, where I pursued the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Currently, I am in my second year taking a bachelor's degree in Communication and Media.

I was instantly attracted by its diverse community, state of the art facilities, its Russell Group status and its high ranking for my course. To put it simply, something about the university assured me that I would feel part of the community at both the city and campus.

Whilst originally unsure about where to pursue my higher education, I first came across the University of Leeds through my university counsellor. Upon further research, I was instantly attracted by its diverse community, state of the art facilities, its Russell Group status and its high ranking for my course. To put it simply, something about the university assured me that I would feel part of the community at both the city and campus. And, things have been great! I have been pleasantly surprised by how much flexibility my course structure offers. The abundance of module options has been a game-changer for me. This freedom has allowed me to tailor my studies to match my specific interests and has also allowed me to explore new things, such as my choice in taking Camera & Editing last year. Furthermore, I greatly appreciate how the University of Leeds offers discovery modules, allowing me to explore non-course related subjects and broaden my overall learning experience.

Being a third-culture kid, it is often difficult to truly feel at home. However, Leeds has provided a genuinely welcoming experience for me. I have been thoroughly impressed with its diverse array of restaurants and cafes, the quality and friendliness of my professors and the large student population. On campus, I love to be at the Leeds University Union (LUU). Having over 300 clubs and societies, there is bound to be a place where you belong. The LUU also hosts cafes, pubs, shops and restaurants, meaning that it is always a good place to hang around with friends. I also am often at the Brotherton Library, one of the four main libraries at the University of Leeds alongside the numerous study spots found across both campus and in the city. Overall, I’ve found Leeds to be vibrant and colourful. In my first year, residing at the university’s Devonshire Hall made me feel part of a community through the dining hall and events held throughout the year, allowing me to meet new people and settle easier. I now reside in a house in Headingley, providing me with the wonderful opportunity to explore new areas away from campus and the city centre. From nightlife to its parks, Leeds is always a fun place to explore alongside your time at university.

I hope this gave you some insight regarding the international student experience at Leeds. If you would like to chat with me about anything, please feel free to contact me through my Unibuddy or my email. I look forward to hearing from you!

Email me at Dilshan-link@leeds.ac.uk or let's chat on UniBuddy!