Janet Li

Hi! I’m Janet, a first-year BChD Dental Surgery student at the University of Leeds.

Although I’m new to Leeds, I’ve already experienced a wide range of opportunities both within and beyond my course – from waxing workshops on tooth morphology and research conferences to job-finding sessions through MyCareer and roles such as becoming a Link to Leeds ambassador.

Moreover, my course and the University of Leeds place great emphasis on student wellbeing, especially for those new to the city like me. For example, the University provided step-by-step guidance to complete IT setup before starting the course, while my programme assigned me both an international tutor and a personal academic tutor who regularly check in. I found this incredibly helpful during my first few weeks, when everything still felt new and unfamiliar.

One of my favourite parts of being at Leeds is spending time at The Refectory, the main campus canteen, which offers a wide variety of food and plenty of seating areas. It’s a great spot to relax with friends between lessons, especially when there isn’t enough time to head into the city centre. The building also hosts shops like Co-op, which makes grabbing snacks for the next lecture convenient.

Another thing I love about the University is its location — being so close to the city makes hanging out, shopping, and travelling easy and enjoyable. So, overall, my experience at the University of Leeds has been extremely positive, and I’m truly enjoying my time here.

Before joining the University of Leeds, I studied Physiotherapy at the University of Bradford. During that time, my friends and I often visited Leeds city centre after exams and placement periods, which gave me the chance to really experience the city. This played a big role in my decision to apply independently to the University, alongside Leeds’ strong reputation for academic excellence as a member of the Russell Group.

I particularly like the Kirkgate Food Market because of its variety of stores. There are fresh meat and vegetable shops, as well as dining places like Seoulful Bites, which is a great spot for cooking inspiration and hanging out with friends during free time. Even on weekends, I often meet up with my course mates and friends in that area, and we can easily step out of the market to stroll around the city, as it’s located right next to the city centre.

Being an international student at the University of Leeds means I need to find a place to live in UK. I am currently staying at Charles Morris Hall, a student accommodation managed by the University. It is a large, modern hall with facilities kept in good condition. This hall provides services such as cleaning bins and vacuuming every weekday, which I really appreciate, and offers residents the opportunity to join a committee that organizes activities for other students living in the accommodation. I really enjoy this, as it allows me to host events, meet new people, and boost my CV. Finally, I love that the accommodation is affordable compared to private housing, yet still provides a comfortable place for students to live.