Welcoming

“When I first arrived in Belfast, I fell in love with the city. I’m not into the big city rush—I prefer a peaceful, quiet vibe, and Belfast nails it. The people are incredibly friendly; a few smiles and nods from strangers made me feel instantly welcomed. It’s those little moments that made me feel like I belonged, even as a newcomer.”

Keith See Choy Xing, Law, Malaysia

“When I first arrived in Belfast, I was just a small 46-kilogram girl struggling with over 50 kilograms of luggage—definitely a real challenge to be honest. But the people here were unbelievably kind and helpful. Some offered to give me a hand with my bags, while others chatted with me in such a friendly way that I immediately felt welcomed.”

Trinh Thu Phuong, MSc in Tesol and Applied Linguistics, Vietnam

Buzzing social life

“Coming from a small town where there is not a lot to do, Belfast offers me a variety of things to do, alone and with my friends. I am a very extroverted person that always needs to be doing something, and living in Belfast has really helped me find activities to do and places to see. I used to come down to Belfast once or twice a year with family or friends and be jealous of the social, city life comparing it to where I am from, but now because of going to university here, I get to experience it on a daily basis.”

Martyna Abelkyte, International Business with French, Northern Ireland/Lithuania

“I initially thought Belfast would be quiet and lacking in activities, but upon arriving, I found my experience enjoyable. The city feels safe, and it’s not too crowded, which makes it a pleasant place to be.”

Lady Arwen, Computer Science, Indonesia

Full of opportunities

“Surprisingly, despite only living an hour from the city, I hadn't explored Belfast at all before moving here full time. First impressions have been really positive; inclusive, diverse, convenient, and full of so many options and opportunities I didn't realise were on my doorstep.”

Chloe Watterson, Human Biology, NI

Unique

“Belfast is a unique city with a culture found nowhere else in the world, and this translates into simple things like food, nightlife, and other experiences in the city. It is a vibrant and active city with the perfect balance of historical architecture and modern architecture, and history which tells a story like no other.”

Grace Nelson, Law with Spanish, ROI

Peaceful

“Belfast immediately struck me as peaceful, quite different from other cities in the UK. One of the most interesting aspects was the red brick architecture, which gives the city a unique character. Coming from a relatively small city myself, Belfast felt quite similar to my hometown, which made the transition easier. Everything here just clicked—it’s peaceful, well-organised, and the compact size of the city means that everything is easily accessible. It was an instant connection for me.”

Callista Budihardjo, Computer Science, Indonesia

“My first impressions of Belfast are its charm and relaxing lifestyle. Growing up in a city in Malaysia, where the pace is quick and bustling, Belfast offers a refreshing contrast. Here, life feels slower with people taking their time in enjoying coffee and chilling with each other at the streets. Moreover, I find peace and quiet when I first arrived here, the people here are very helpful. I get to talk with locals and meet a lot friends here without those boundaries.”

Woon Yen Shan, Law, Malaysia

“At first it felt very big - it was so much busier than my hometown - but there was something very exciting about how alive it felt. At the same time I was really glad Malone Road felt so much more relaxed, it was nice to have a bit of a buffer between my new home and the city proper.”

Amy Furlonger, Physics with Spanish, England

Walkable

“I loved how everything was within walking distance as it is a walkable city. The people in Belfast are approachable and friendly which makes living here great. The cost of living is lower than most cities which is great for students in terms of buying food and bills. The nightlife here is top tier, from pubs to clubs, everything is great fun in Belfast.”

Sophie Coyle, Law, NI

Cosy

“My first impression would be to describe it as a little Sims Town where it centres around the City Hall which makes it very cute and cosy. I have come to love the interesting shops and friendly faces I come across daily. The brunch scene is also very lovely with good food and lovely cafes especially down on Lisburn road.”

Aliya binti Mohd Zayed, Medicine, Malaysia

Diverse

“As a Muslim, I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of food options available. There are plenty of halal butchers and facilities, which made adjusting to life in Belfast much easier. The city truly caters to diverse needs, and I’ve never felt out of place in terms of food or cultural acceptance.”

Aleeya Emelna binti Mohd Khairul Isma, Software Engineering, Malaysia

Historical/Modern

“I was struck by how well the city is designed for students, with its excellent public transport, accessible amenities, and lively social scene. The mix of historic landmarks like the Titanic Quarter, alongside modern developments, gave me the impression that Belfast is a city that values both its past and its future—a perfect environment for personal and academic growth.”

Taher Kapasi, MSc in Pharmaceutical Analysis with International Industrial Placement, India

“For me, the first things that stand out are the warmth of the people, the city's unique blend of Victorian architecture and modern buildings, and its deep connection to history, especially through landmarks like the Titanic Quarter and murals reflecting its past. And more importantly how progressive and friendly the people are.”

Raeesa Riaz, International Business, Pakistan

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Hannah Reilly Staff Writer | Queen's Global Hi, I'm Hannah, a two-time graduate of Queen's University Belfast and now a current staff member of Queen's Global! As well as helping with general content management for the main Queen's website, I also collaborate with current students to create relatable and useful content for the student blog. I studied BA English and MA English Literary Studies at Queen's and have since worked in various editorial positions in Belfast, including previous roles as Editorial Assistant and Assistant Commissioning Editor for local and international magazine publications. In my spare time, I enjoy reading novels (and attending various book clubs), studying Korean at the Queen's Language Centre and attending Belfast Giants ice hockey games!