Ekaterina Rozhdestvenskaia

My name is Ekaterina Rozhdestvenskaia, and I am an international student from Russia, currently studying in Leeds. I am deeply passionate about politics, economics, and creative truthful and unbiased writing, which are the primary reasons I chose to study abroad and expand my horizons. Moreover, I specifically chose our university because of the unique educational, social, and cultural experiences that are available to students here. After completing my Foundation Year in Business, I have successfully transitioned into the Bachelor’s programme in Economics and Politics at the University of Leeds. As an undergraduate fresher, I am actively involved in a variety of diverse societies, including Maths, German, Slavonic, European Union and Politics, Philosophy, and Economics, which enrich my student life immensely.

I am actively involved in a variety of diverse societies, including Maths, German, Slavonic, European Union and Politics, Philosophy, and Economics, which enrich my student life immensely

Being a Link to Leeds ambassador allows me to act as a mediator between international students—with the unique backgrounds and challenges—and the university, which offers a dynamic and enriching student life. I am thrilled to facilitate this experience, helping new overseas students navigate and simplify the challenges may be countered. Having spent a year here, I can confidently say that my adaptation period is over. I no longer feel like an outsider and interact with my surroundings effortlessly, although my initial year was quite challenging. Psychologically, actions that are straightforward for natives can be significantly more difficult for people who are not acquainted with the environment. Now, having navigated these challenges myself, I am well-prepared to guide other international students through similar experiences. Being on the role of an L2L ambassador is an invaluable opportunity to advance towards this goal. Currently I maintain blogs on both Instagram and Telegram, which are dedicated to my experiences as an international student and my perspectives on political situations, accordingly.

I currently reside in White Rose View student accommodation, where I have formed close friendships with many wonderful people. Outside of my studies, I also pursue various hobbies that I believe improve both my physical and mental well-being: yoga, Pilates, history, and psychology. I regularly attend sports classes at The Edge, the sports club on campus, and I enjoy reading articles and engaging with podcasts that explore human cognition, behaviour, and diverse historical insights. My highly empathetic and communicative nature keeps me constantly curious about the world around me. In addition to my social activities, I am persistent, hardworking, and responsible in my academic pursuits. I am ambitious, constantly striving for the highest results, and always aiming to meet my goals.

I decided to leave Russia to seek greater personal and academic opportunities, particularly in an environment that fosters openness and intellectual freedom. My goal is to contribute to positive change, using media as a powerful tool to highlight important issues and encourage social progress. I'm excited to be part of the diverse and dynamic community at Leeds and to work towards making a meaningful impact in the future.

If you have any questions, or just want to have a chat to find out more about the university or Leeds, feel free to message me on Unibuddy or by email at ekaterina-link@leeds.ac.uk.