With My French and Spanish degree course I jumped at the chance to spend 6 months in Nantes in France and 6 months in Granada in Spain.

I had a fantastic time in France and greatly appreciated the opportunity to live in a new city and to meet new people. Nantes was roughly the same size as Cardiff so there were lots of things to do and to see. I went to lots of parties and met so many nice people. Yes, it was quite daunting to leave home at the beginning but I soon settled into the lifestyle and made friends who I am still in touch with.

I visited Paris on a regular basis and I remember thinking as I walked along the Champs Elysées and as I caught the Métro how languages had bought me those experiences that I will never forget!

I then spent 6 months in Granada and had the greatest 6 months of my life in this lively and beautiful city. The sun was always shining and I learnt most of my Spanish talking to Spanish people over a plate of tapas! The Spanish were very sociable and they soon get you to relax and by the end, you are speaking almost like a native!

My year abroad changed me completely. I saw so many wonderful places that I would never have seen if I hadn't chosen to study languages. If I hadn't studied languages, I wouldn't have had the chance to see beyond the familiarity of Caerffili high street! 5 years later, I am convinced that the year abroad has given me a wider perspective on life and without doubt, languages are a skill that can bring you so much! Most of all, the year abroad gave me confidence. I recently had the confidence to go to Cuba and stay with Cuban families where no English was spoken and I truly believe that I found the confidence to do this thanks to my year abroad at University!