Reality of living in Leeds- Lets talk weather!

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Grace Zheng

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Grace Zheng

<i>Home Institution</i>: University of New Mexico <i>Expected Graduation Year</i>: 2024 <i>Academic Major / Minor</i>: Marketing <i>Destination</i>: Leeds, UK <i>"Hello" in your host country's language</i>: Hello <i>Demographics</i>: Asian/Asian American, First-Generation American, First-Generation College Student <i>Future Career Goals</i>: I want to work in Public Relations to help out the community I grew up in. I want to use my degree in marketing to make some long lasting impact around sustainability and equality. My goal is to bond the people from New Mexico together regardless of the different backgrounds everyone comes from. I believe we can unite individuals by making not only our state a better place but the world as well. Public relations will allow me to spread ideas I am passionate about while providing an opportunity for voices to be heard on a first hand level. <i>Top Three Study Abroad Goals</i>: Travel- To as many countries as possible to diversify my knowledge, seeing the world or other cultures is one of the greatest privileges to have and I want to use this as an opportunity to learn on a global scale; Grow within myself- Going abroad is such an amazing experience however it can be scary and I want to grow as a person in all aspects while being in a new country miles away from the familiarity of being back home; Inspire- To motivate other students with similar background as me to go out there and see the world for themselves by following my journey

Before coming to England, I was always asked “why would you go to such a rainy city?”.

As someone who grew up in New Mexico I felt comfortable in the rain. We have pretty bad monsoon seasons back home and I thought It couldn’t get any worst than what I’ve already experienced before. Well, truth is, they weren’t lying when they said England is the ultimate rain country.. For the last few months Leeds has been covered in rain. Day to day I would walk out of my student dorm to see gloomy dark skies. It really does rain a lot here. Although it may not be the most pleasant at times I have found a new appreciation for it.

Few weeks ago, it was cold enough that the rain turned into snow and let me tell you….. it was so beautiful! The snow glistened the sky and it really was a scene from the movies. Everyone went outside and made snowman and went about their day as planned. People from England do not let the weather stop their daily itineraries and slowly I’ve started to adopt this mindset as well. I am quite resilient against the rain now, with some waterproof clothing I feel unstoppable even on bad weather days.

I haven’t seen the sun in about 2 months but the other day the city was so sunny. With spring approaching quickly the flowers are starting to bloom as well. When the sun was finally out I couldn’t help but smile and stay outside all day. I would go to the park to read or do homework even when the sun was out for one day. Everyone else had the same idea and it seems like the entire city was just outside getting their dose of natural vitamin D. Small things like that really makes you gain a new appreciation to life. It’s refreshing to know that warmer days are heading my way and it builds up my excitement to experience Leeds in the spring.

Small things such as weather can have a huge impact on your day. It makes me realize how grateful I am to be studying in a new country and that I’m really starting to become a Leeds local.