Choosing Queen’s

Looking back at last summer, the main reason Queen's stood out for me was that they actually replied quickly to my enquiries. Compared to other universities leaving me hanging, I would find a reply from Queen’s in my inbox within 48 hours. In addition, Queen’s is part of the Russell Group of universities, which gave me confidence in choosing it. Queen’s also has an enormous variety of majors. So much so that I was torn between multiple closely related majors, all with placement and non-placement pathways.

After weighing my options, I chose Software Engineering. Specifically, the placement pathway. The reason is that SWE in Queen’s contains hands-on modules which provide you with real world applicable experience. I also specifically picked the placement pathway because it gives me a full year of industry experience before applying for full-time roles after I graduate.

My welcome and orientation experience

On the plane ride here to Belfast, I was sceptical about everything. Am I making the right choice? My brain was full of conflicting thoughts, but I just pushed through it. On arrival, my parents and I navigated through the airport, took a taxi, and settled into our hotel room. Out of curiosity, we decided to head to my accommodation building and check it out, even though the check-in wasn't until 2 days later. We decided to ask the reception staff about early check-ins since we were already there. Surprisingly, we managed to check-in earlier than expected and went up to my room, and I finally had a good night of sleep.

On the first day of the semester, I decided to check out the university's campus, even though I supposedly didn't have any lectures. I explored for a while and decided to finally check out the Computer Science building. Upon entering, I was shocked to see the building fully packed. I was really confused, and I felt like I was missing something. Picking me up from my sea of thought, I was approached by a member of staff who guided me. I realised that I received an email a few weeks back with a specific time slot I am supposed to attend, so I could set up my account. Looking back at the initial period, everything felt overwhelming. As soon as you move through it rather than around it, you will realise how simple everything is.

The Computer Science building

Student life in Belfast

After getting the first week over with and acclimating to the environment, I started actually exploring the city properly. Right before that, there was a three-day society fair in the Students' Union. All societies had their respective stalls with representatives ready to answer any questions. I personally joined two societies through this fair: the Hiking Club and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Society, both things that I'd never tried before, and got the opportunity to try.

Friendly advice: If you have a specific interest, there's a society for it (over 200 societies!). The Queen's Students' Union isn't called the number one in the UK for no reason (Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2025). Accommodation life came with its own activities. There are events run by the staff which are posted beforehand on their Instagram.

Free time can bring a sense of aimlessness. Without structure, the day drifts and procrastination settles in, so I anchor it with two consistent habits: fitness and study. For fitness, I constantly drift between the gym facilities available in the PEC and the smaller in-house gym available in BT1. Having a gym in the same building removes all road blocks and leads you to becoming more consistent.

Moreover, there are a great number of sports societies available when I want to change it up. Outside of that, I spend a lot of my time reviewing coursework or working on small projects to strengthen my portfolio. Staying on top of my academics clears my mind and makes life more manageable. I find that having a constant routine helps keep me grounded in this new, uncertain environment.

Tips for students moving from Egypt

As an international student coming to Belfast from Egypt, I definitely know how different it can be, and here are some tips to help Egyptian students and international students in general. Firstly, make sure to either pack a lot of winter clothes or keep in mind to buy some on arrival. The weather in September is already colder than peak winter in Egypt, so keep that in mind. There are also a good number of Middle Eastern supermarkets and takeaway spots if you're missing the taste of home.

Another underrated piece of advice: meal prepping is king. It enables you to only cook once a week, and have home cooked meals available week round, minimising the amount of dishes and cooking time.

Lastly, if you ever hesitate about taking the step, make sure to do it. It will teach you many important things you need in life, and everything else will become easier once you're here and living it.

Find out more

Take a Virtual Tour of Queen's

Information for students from Egypt

My First Year at Queen’s: What I Wish I Knew

Top 5 University Experiences You Should Not Miss Out on at Queen’s

Karl Hanna Software Engineering | Undergraduate Student | Egypt Software Engineering student at Queen's. Don't hesitate to email me if you have any questions!