Hannah Yu

Hannah Yu, University of Toronto (Canada)

My time at UCL was an extraordinary experience, and I am forever grateful for the opportunities and the wonderful people I met here. UCL provided an enriching academic environment and a vibrant social scene that made my time there unforgettable. The friends I made, the knowledge I gained, and the experiences I had have left a lasting impact on me.

The Economics department at UCL was outstanding. During my first week, I realized that I was more interested in certain modules I hadn't enrolled in and that some of the modules I initially signed up for didn't meet my academic needs. Karina, the affiliate administrator, was incredibly kind and helpful, even assisting me until the day before the switch deadline. Among all the modules I took at UCL, my favourite was International Trade. The professor was witty and knowledgeable, guiding us through topics from basic trading concepts to complex events like the Trade War between the US and China. Many UCL economics modules require students to produce a research paper at the end of the term, providing opportunities to delve into subjects of personal interest. For the Economics of Development module, I wrote about the birth rate in China, a topic close to my heart as I was born in China.

Living in College Hall was the highlight of my UCL experience. The hall's prime location offered the convenience of being a minute's walk from campus and easy access to the best parts of London, such as the British Museum, Trafalgar Square, Oxford Street, and Tottenham Court Road. The most memorable aspect of this was the friends I made in the hall. I was fortunate to meet a wonderful group of people during my first weeks there; together, we enjoyed nights out, hung out in the common room, and studied together in the libraries. Shoutout to my College Hall teetotaller family! You guys are the most amazing part of my study abroad journey, and our friendship continues even after I finished my time in London.

Another happy memory from UCL was the welcoming week. Despite not being a first-year student, the entire week was special and made me feel like I belonged. I filled my calendar with events, from rowing on the Thames and visiting museums to watching Wicked, clubbing at Scala, and attending movie nights. These activities allowed me to make friends with fellow affiliate students and UCL students while enjoying a range of fun events. What I particularly enjoyed was that all the societies held taster events throughout the week, allowing me to attend some of their activities and mingle with their members. After the welcoming week, I became a regular attendee of events held by various societies, including the Dance Society, Asset Management Society, Data Science Society, and Impact Career Society. I even brought up the idea to my home university, the University of Toronto, about adopting a similar welcome week.

For anyone considering coming to UCL, I would wholeheartedly say, do it! This has been the most amazing experience I've ever had, and I wish it could have lasted longer. I miss UCL and London dearly and would for sure come back for visiting someday!

Fall 2023