manchester: on the road

A study abroad journal by students, for students.

  • Home
  • About us
  • Global Ambassadors
  • Blog Posts
    • Uncategorized
    • North America
    • USA
    • Canada
    • Australasia
    • Australia
    • Europe
    • Asia
    • Singapore
    • National University of Singapore
  • Home
  • About us
  • Global Ambassadors
  • Blog Posts
    • Uncategorized
    • North America
    • USA
    • Canada
    • Australasia
    • Australia
    • Europe
    • Asia
    • Singapore
    • National University of Singapore
  • Aarhus, Denmark
  • Application
  • Arizona State University
  • Asia
  • Australasia
  • Australia
  • Australian National University
  • Belgium
  • Canada
  • canada
  • Chile
  • China
  • Concordia
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Disability
  • Eötvös Loránd University
  • Erasmus
  • Esade Business School
  • Europe
  • Finland
  • France
  • Freie Universität Berlin
  • Fudan University Shanghai
  • Funding
  • Germany
  • Global Guidance Ambassador
  • Guelph
  • Hong Kong
  • Hong Kong Polytechnic University
  • Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
  • Hungary
  • Indiana University Bloomington
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Lund University
  • Lyon, France
  • McGill University
  • Mental Health
  • Mexico
  • Mitacs
  • Nanyang Technological University
  • National University of Singapore
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • North America
  • North Carolina State University
  • Norway
  • Osaka University
  • Poland
  • Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
  • Queen's University
  • Rutgers University
  • Sciences Po Paris
  • Sciences Po Toulouse
  • Seoul National University
  • Seoul, South Korea
  • Seville, Spain
  • Simon Fraser University
  • Singapore
  • Singapore Management University
  • South America
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Stony Brook University
  • Stony Brook University, New York
  • Stony Brook, The State University of New York
  • Summer School
  • Sustainability
  • Sweden
  • The State University of New York
  • The University of Maryland at College Park
  • Tokyo University
  • Uncategorized
  • Universidad Complutense de Madrid
  • Universidad de las Americas (UDLAP)
  • Universidad de Sevilla
  • Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona
  • Universität Leipzig
  • University of Amsterdam
  • University of Auckland
  • University of Bergen
  • University of Bocconi
  • University of British Columbia
  • University of Calgary
  • University of California – Berkeley
  • University of California – Los Angeles
  • University of California – San Diego
  • University of California – Santa Barbara
  • University of California Santa Cruz
  • University of California Santa Cruz
  • University of Colorado Boulder
  • University of Copenhagen
  • University of Florida
  • University of Heidelberg
  • University of Helsinki
  • University of Hong Kong
  • University of Liege
  • University of Maryland
  • University of Massachusetts – Amherst
  • University of Melbourne
  • University of Missouri
  • University of New South Wales
  • University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
  • University of Otago
  • University of Ottowa
  • University of Queensland
  • University of Southern California
  • University of Sydney
  • University of Tennessee
  • University of Toronto
  • University of Warsaw
  • University of Western Australia
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Uppsala University
  • USA
  • Vrije Universiteit
  • Wellesley College
  • Year Abroad Travel
  • York University
North America, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, USA

Pre-departure Pep Talk

From where I am now, if I could give my pre-departure self a few words of encouragement and reassurance, they would go something like this… Everyone has an American Dream.

read more
February 9, 2016
Canada, North America, Simon Fraser University

My First Few months in Vancouver…

This blog post comes at a good time for me, since it feels as though I haven’t paused for a minute since I arrived here over 2 months ago! I’m…

read more
October 26, 2019
Canada, McGill University, North America, Uncategorized

A Look Back at Spring Break

A highlight of my year abroad that I’m yet to blog about in detail was Spring Break. When it came to planning for this week, I was at a bit…

read more
May 19, 2018
  • National University of Singapore,  Singapore,  Uncategorized

    Why Singapore? My initial NUS experience.

    September 28, 2026 /

    By Holly Scholfield, National University of Singapore, Singapore When deciding where I wanted to spend my year abroad, I had two main considerations beyond academics: finances and travel opportunities. Both led me to put the National University of Singapore (NUS) as my first choice. After two months here, I have had the chance to experience both sides of student life in Singapore, from eating at hawker centres and navigating the huge NUS campus, to travelling around Southeast Asia. Here is why I think Singapore is the best choice for a year abroad. Finances: Is Singapore really that expensive? If you have watched Crazy Rich Asians, you might assume that Singapore…

    read more
    hollyscholfield

    You May Also Like

    Why Singapore? Why Asia? Travelling Beyond the National University of Singapore.

    November 11, 2024

    A Foodie’s Guide to Surviving and Thriving in Singapore

    April 9, 2025

    Reflections at a halfway point – National University of Singapore

    February 6, 2024
  • Application,  Asia,  Australasia,  Erasmus,  Europe,  Global Guidance Ambassador,  North America,  South America,  Summer School,  Sustainability,  Wellesley College,  Year Abroad Travel

    7 Reasons To Go Abroad

    September 28, 2026 /

    Here Amelia details 7 Reasons why YOU should go abroad!

    read more
    Amelia Brunel Vivash

    You May Also Like

    Study Abroad Application Advice/Help/Guide

    September 30, 2021
  • Asia,  Japan,  Tokyo University

    Post-year Reflection

    September 23, 2026 /

    By YiPin Wu, University of Tokyo, Japan It’s been a month since I left Japan. I still can’t believe how fast the year went. Before the year, I was nervous and genuinely unsure if I’d made the right decision. However, I didn’t go in with any expectations, like no vision of what the year should look like. I just wanted to see where life took me and experience whatever came my way, even if it wasn’t what I’d planned. And honestly, it was just so amazing :)) !!! Sure, there were moments where I felt homesick or just a bit low. But the good stuff so massively outweighed the hard…

    read more
    pinwu

    You May Also Like

    Laos: Recess Week

    March 2, 2020

    Japan…. once again!

    September 26, 2024

    Homesickness when you thought you were sick of home

    February 6, 2020
  • Australasia,  Australia,  University of Western Australia,  Year Abroad Travel

    Weekend Trip in WA

    September 23, 2026 /

    By Beth Cook, University of Western Australia Throughout the semester, it has continued to be normal to spend weekday afternoons at the beach, or have a brief lunch trip and have to race back to make it to a compulsory lecture. A Manchester study break walk around Platt Fields doesn’t quite compare! As a result of these impromptu trips, reading week was much required to prepare for some mid-semester quizzes; however, we managed to squeeze in a two day trip out of Perth. We left Perth on the Friday morning and stopped off in Lancelin for some breakfast and a wander to a beach with incredibly clear blue water, before…

    read more
    elizabethcook3

    You May Also Like

    What I really want to say when they ask ‘How’s Australia?’

    November 22, 2024

    How I Made My Journey Home More Interesting

    August 6, 2025

    One week in tropical North Queensland

    January 24, 2025
  • Australasia,  New Zealand,  University of Otago

    A Weekend Away: Skiing in the Southern Hemisphere

    September 21, 2026 /

    By Imogen Lewis, University of Otago, New Zealand Of all the things I wanted to do while being in New Zealand, skiing was certainly not the top of my list. But I knew I couldn’t fly all the way here and not do it at least once! Dunedin is only a 3.5-hour drive from Queenstown, so one Friday morning my flat and I packed up the car and set off. We stayed at a hostel called Black Sheep Backpackers, which was 50NZD (£21) per night and even had a hot tub, cold plunge and sauna!  On the Saturday morning, we woke up bright and early in time to get the…

    read more
    imogenlewis2

    You May Also Like

    A Covid Farewell

    August 25, 2020

    All about Melbourne accommodation: where to live whilst studying on exchange

    April 2, 2026

    Reflections.

    August 19, 2017
  • Europe,  Netherlands,  University of Amsterdam

    The Little Things I Wish I Knew Before Moving to Amsterdam

    September 11, 2026 /

    By Anna Bluemel, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands Moving to a new country is super exciting, but it can also be DAUNTING. I tried to research thoroughly before moving to Amsterdam to feel as prepared and connected to my future mystery life as possible, but there are always small differences that you can only ever find out about through actually living there.  For example, during my first food shop I had a bit of a wobble and ended up severely missing the trusty Fallowfield Sainsburys. I had heard that Albert Heijn was very expensive so I tried a different random shop – but my research was not very good because…

    read more
    annabellabluemel

    You May Also Like

    Adjusting to Copenhagen: What Shocked Me Most Upon Arrival

    November 11, 2024

    The Ultimate Foodies Guide to Amsterdam

    September 27, 2020

    A (relatively) comprehensive list of the best things I have done since moving to Helsinki

    May 11, 2022
  • Mexico,  North America,  Uncategorized,  Universidad de las Americas (UDLAP)

    On Privilege

    September 10, 2026 /

    By Jessie Punn, Universidad de las Americas, Mexico Last weekend, I went on a trip to Puerto Escondido on the Oaxacan Coast. It was paradise – white sandy beaches, the most crystal-clear ocean, and the most spectacular sunset I had ever seen. One afternoon, after having spent hours floating in the sea and reading my book on the beach, I went for a wander with my friends where we bumped into a lady selling tamales. We bought some and sat down to eat them on the sand. About 10 minutes later, the lady came back and asked if we would mind if she sat with us for a minute in…

    read more
    Jessie Punn

    You May Also Like

    Styles of learning and assessment at UDLAP

    September 13, 2018

    Life After Toronto: Where Next?

    January 28, 2020

    Post-exchange travel

    July 18, 2019
  • Netherlands,  Uncategorized,  University of Amsterdam

    Cafes + Cramming … Amsterdam’s best cafe study spots!

    September 10, 2026 /

    By Anna Bluemel, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands The rumours are true… the workload at UvA is pretty heavy. You don’t need to fret, though – the work is super interesting and varied, and it doesn’t take up allll of your time. Yet a chunk of the year will definitely be spent studying. During exam periods, I got just a little bit too used to the view of the UvA library, and whilst it is stunning, I felt the need to switch up my study location every now and then.  In Manchester, I enjoyed going to cafés to study, but in Amsterdam, there are quite a few cafés where laptops…

    read more
    annabellabluemel

    You May Also Like

    Is the MuseumKaart worth it?

    September 9, 2023

    A Love Letter to My Bike

    September 9, 2026

    Erasmus in times of Brexit and Covid

    September 27, 2020
  • Netherlands,  Uncategorized,  University of Amsterdam

    A Love Letter to My Bike

    September 9, 2026 /

    by Lily Sanders, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands One of the things I have loved the most about living in Amsterdam is cycling everywhere. I know that may sound slightly ridiculous, but cycling in Amsterdam is so much more than simply riding a bike. The default assumption is that everyone will cycle, whatever the occasion, going to uni, meeting at a café, heading to a restaurant or even a club! I find it so lovely that cycling is a communal activity here, and I feel this especially at AUC because we all live together in the dorms.  At the start of my exchange when we were constantly exploring the city…

    read more
    lilysandersXXX

    You May Also Like

    50 things to do while studying in Amsterdam

    May 21, 2022

    Erasmus in times of Brexit and Covid

    September 27, 2020

    Academics in Amsterdam: My Experience of Studying at UvA

    June 29, 2023
  • Uncategorized

    Everything I did to prepare for Mexico (and when I did it)

    September 2, 2026 /

    By Jessie Punn, Universidad de las Americas Puebla, Mexico As my third week at UDLAP draws to a close, I have found myself reflecting on all the decisions I made which have led me to be sitting in an extremely comfy armchair, in the gloriously air-conditioned UDLAP library, overlooking the most beautiful of campuses. Moving to Mexico and leaving behind literally everything familiar has certainly been an adjustment, but I am a person that loves a checklist and lives life according to my Google calendar, so here is a mostly comprehensive list of timeline of everything that I did to prepare for UDLAP (that I wish I would have had…

    read more
    Jessie Punn

    You May Also Like

    Initial Thoughts: Maryland

    August 29, 2016

    Some first impressions of Hong Kong, coloured by secondary reflections

    March 2, 2018

    Leaving the US

    May 25, 2017
  • Australia,  University of New South Wales

    My First Weeks in Sydney: Whale Watching, Winter Chills, and Settling In

    September 1, 2026 /

    By Lucy Szczerba, University of New South Wales, Australia My first few weeks in Sydney have been a whirlwind of activity and emotions, but all good experiences. Settling into a new place is inevitably going to be full of ups and downs, but these first few weeks have shown me that you adapt to new places faster than you might think.

    read more
    lucyszczerba

    You May Also Like

    My experience of housing in Melbourne

    September 22, 2023

    Study Abroad Reflections on Return

    December 10, 2019

    Surviving in Sydney: Jobs, Budgets, and Expenses

    June 3, 2025
  • North America,  Rutgers University,  USA

    💌 A Love Letter to New York City

    August 25, 2026 /

    By Hannah Parsons, Rutgers University, New Brunswick Social media portrays New York as a huge city with endless opportunities, places to visit, food to eat, drinks to try and shops to explore. And, honestly? It really is like that. Before I went to New York, I imagined it as big, scary and overwhelming. I had seen countless Tik Toks about how small you feel when you stand amongst the skyscrapers, and I completely understood what they meant. But at the same time, I always saw New York as an amazing place where you could be whoever you wanted to be. I have been drawn to New York since I was…

    read more
    hannahparsons047a282c52

    You May Also Like

    MITACS Chapter 2: Research as work

    August 2, 2022

    Go Devils! My first two weeks in Arizona.

    January 17, 2018

    North Carolina State University: How to Navigate your first week

    March 6, 2026
 Older Posts

SEARCH

Posts by Location

"A weekend trip during mid-semester break in WA to visit Lancelin, The Pinnacles, Green Head, Lesueur National Park and Hangover Bay." - from our Global Ambassador Elizabeth in Australia 🦘 'During recess week at NUS, I was fortunate enough to travel to Vietnam; visiting Hanoi, Ninh Binh and Ha Giang for the Ha Giang loop. The loop was a once in a lifetime experience, I will never forget. Studying in Singapore has given me the opportunity to travel nearby countries easily, exploring parts of the world I have never seen before. Hopefully more travelling to come!' - from our GA Florence in Singapore 🇸🇬 'My first month settling in to a new life in The Hague, consisting of a lot of exploring along beautiful canals, nearby towns, and getting used to being a student in the city of peace and justice!' - our Global Ambassador Eliza in The Netherlands! 🇳🇱 'My friends and I took a day trip to the Toronto Islands while the weather is still warm. We hired bikes and cycled around the whole island, taking regular photo breaks! (The CN Tower featuring in most photos, of course). Thinking about going abroad as part of your degree but you don't know where to start 🤔 The Go Abroad team is sending a massive welcome to all of our students at the start of this year 👋 "My mid-semester break road trip around the South Island of New Zealand. Some of these photos are from Roy’s Peak, the Franz Josef glacier, brunch in Christchurch and watching a rail jam in Wanaka." - from our GA Imogen in New Zealand! "My first few weeks in Sydney settling in by seeing the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, swimming in the North Sydney Olympic Pool, going whale watching, and going to Bronte beach" - from our GA Lucy in Sydney, Australia! "What a way to spend the teaching break- exploring Kuala Lumpur, George Town and Langkawi, Malaysia" from our GA Elena in Australia!

Go Abroad – The University of Manchester

Go Abroad – The University of Manchester

Meet our Global Ambassadors

BLOG STATS

  • 293,213 hits

Ashe Theme by WP Royal.
Loading Comments...