Going on a year abroad was always something I aspired to do as part of my degree but I never expected it to have as prominent an impact as it did. I’m currently in the final year of my Criminology degree in Manchester after spending the previous academic year studying at Vrije Universiteit (VU) in Amsterdam. My year abroad is something I will never stop talking about.  

At VU, I studied within the social sciences but wasn’t limited to criminology. I loved the freedom to explore modules outside of criminology. I took classes in international politics and psycholinguistics, which really broadened my perspectives and introduced me to new topics. This has also steered my future career prospects in a new direction, establishing a strong interest in international politics and security. The teaching approach here was a bit different to my experience at Manchester, with many group projects that gave me the wonderful opportunity to connect with a variety of students and learn about different perspectives from around the world. One key learning experience was a Negotiation Simulation of the African Union. It was such a unique experience and really helped build my confidence in communicating ideas to other students.  

I chose Amsterdam partly because I had never been before, and it was a great opportunity to explore somewhere new. It is also a great location in central Europe for easy travel, especially with a citizen card. During my year, I went on various trips to cities in and around the Netherlands, including The Hague, where I visited the International Criminal Court, which was especially interesting given my degree. With the friends I had met abroad, we spent a lovely weekend together in a cozy cabin in the Dutch countryside and had an exciting long weekend exploring Barcelona. 

Living in Amsterdam itself was amazing, cycling everywhere, and becoming familiar with the city, it was a gorgeous lifestyle. My friends and I quickly settled in, starting weekly rituals of visiting new food spots and a coffee-and-stroll through Vondel Park. We made the most of our time in the city, always eager to try new places and explore new areas. Yet we also cherished our familiar favourites, and I could happily write a whole book about some of my favourite spots and the wonderful memories we’ve created there. Some of my favourite moments were the simplest ones, spending time with newfound friends, going to the beach, swimming in lakes, going on boat tours, and just taking in the city. However, I’m not sure anything could beat celebrating King’s Day, where the entire city turns orange and everyone parties in the streets. I am now determined to go back every year to celebrate.  

More than anything, my year abroad helped me grow as a person. I was pushed out of my comfort zone and became confident in who I am because of it. I have made friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. I cannot recommend a year abroad enough; it was genuinely the best year of my life! 

Written by Francessca Shakeshaft, a 3rd Year BA Criminology student. 

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