Yağmur Çelik

Hi! I’m Yağmur, a second-year medical engineering student at the University of Leeds. Before coming to Leeds, I studied at Istanbul Bahcesehir High School for Science and Technology and completed a dual high school diploma program online at Providence Country Day School in Rhode Island, USA. These experiences helped me develop a global perspective and a love for learning that led me to explore different universities worldwide.

I looked at options in the U.S. and Europe, but Leeds felt like the right choice for me. It has a great reputation for engineering, which was a huge factor, and I loved that the campus is close to the city center, so it doesn’t feel isolated. It’s a nice mix of campus life and city life.

I first heard about the University of Leeds as a 17-year-old researching universities online. I looked at options in the U.S. and Europe, but Leeds felt like the right choice for me. It has a great reputation for engineering, which was a huge factor, and I loved that the campus is close to the city center, so it doesn’t feel isolated. It’s a nice mix of campus life and city life.

My experience at Leeds has been really positive. The university has a lot of support for students, and there are so many ways to get involved. One of the best parts has been joining societies. There’s a society for pretty much anything you can think of, which makes it easy to find your people and have fun. I’m also involved in volunteer work, both through societies and outside the university.

the university has a lot of support for students, and there are so many ways to get involved.

In my spare time, I like to stay active. I work out regularly and love swimming—one of the reasons I was excited to come to Leeds was that the university has a half-Olympic pool.

In my first year, I lived in Charles Morris Hall, and it was a great experience. The location was super convenient, and the social committee organized a lot of fun events, which made it easy to make friends and feel at home. This year, I’m living in a house and experiencing life outside of student accommodation. It feels more like “adulting,” with new responsibilities, but I really enjoy it. It’s given me a sense of independence and a different way of balancing university life.

Leeds as a city has a special vibe. It’s big enough to have lots to do but still feels welcoming. I enjoy exploring the city center and checking out local cafes.

One of the best things about my course is how hands-on it is. We get to work on our own mechanical projects, putting into practice what we’ve learned by designing, manufacturing, and assembling devices, and then testing their performance. This approach makes the learning process practical and exciting, giving real-world experience that prepares us for the industry. There are also plenty of opportunities to collaborate with classmates on these projects, which has been really rewarding.

We get to work on our own mechanical projects, putting into practice what we’ve learned by designing, manufacturing, and assembling devices, and then testing their performance.

If you’re considering coming to Leeds, I’d say don’t hesitate to get involved in different activities. Whether it’s societies, sports, or volunteer work, there’s something here for everyone. And if you ever have any questions, feel free to reach out to me on Unibuddy or email me at yagmur-link@leeds.ac.uk.