Eleanor Simanullang

Hiya! I’m Eleanor and I’m from Bekasi, Indonesia.

A little over a year ago, I applied to my top five universities through UCAS, did my CAIE A-Level exams, and completely blew it. Throughout my desperate search for Plan B, I discovered the International Year One pathway for my desired Life Sciences degree from the University of Leeds, which happened to be one of my original UCAS top choices.

Fast forward to today, I’m a 2nd year BSc Pharmacology student in the University of Leeds, and it has turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

I have always had the University of Leeds in my radar for various reasons. Firstly, it is a Russell Group University with a strong reputation for impeccable facilities and academic excellence. As someone who learns best through hands-on experience, the teaching labs have been a highlight of my course. The sheer breadth of high-quality equipment that we get access to during lab sessions is just so incredibly exciting for me, and it helps me develop key practical skills which are essential for pursuing a career in research.

On top of that, the university offers modules that align closely with my interests. One of the modules I’m looking forward to right now is ‘Fundamentals in Cell and Cancer Biology’, which explores the molecular basis of cancer and how said knowledge is used to develop new treatment strategies. Of course, if you would rather learn something outside of your school, then you also have the chance to try out the discovery modules! There is at least one discovery module from virtually every faculty! So as long as you have enough credits (and for some of them, meet its relevant pre-requisites), you can apply for them to add some variety to your studies. Many of my friends look forward to their discovery modules the most, since it’s a refreshing break from their core subjects, and it's also a great way to get to know more people outside of your cohort!

Now, one of the biggest concerns when studying abroad is whether you’ll feel comfortable and at home. And to me, Leeds feels like the perfect city since it’s not too big and rowdy but still has so much to offer!

I currently live in Tribeka, a private accommodation in the heart of the city. I can walk to Morrisons, campus, the shopping centres, all within 5-15 minutes, which is incredibly convenient for me (which also means I can stay up all night holed in the library and not worry about walking home in the dark). Outside of the city centre, I enjoy frequenting places like Left Bank Leeds in Cardigan Road, which often holds arts and crafts workshops, flea markets, thrift store pop-ups, and so much more! I love trying out fun crafts and popping into any music gigs during the weekends, and I can guarantee that Leeds has never failed to deliver in either of these two!

Living in a foreign country and trying to make new connections was a rough experience in my first year, not to mention the homesickness that hit me during the chilly winter. What really helped me was the wellbeing support available on campus, and the University Union often held various events which allowed me to socialize more with other students! Joining different societies and trying out their Give-it-A-Go(s) was also one of the highlights of my university life. It’s such a fun way to explore my interests while meeting new people from all sorts of backgrounds.

With that being said, if you even have a sliver of an interest in seeing if Leeds is suited for you, please do check us out! If you have any questions, pop a message to me on UniBuddy or via email at [email protected]. See you there! 😊