Erin Queenan moved to Leeds a year ago and struggled to find her place, now a year later her confidence has soared, and she gives credit to the city.
By Jessica Trays
A year ago, Erin moved to Leeds to start University she came from a small village surrounded by countryside and was shocked by the industrial hustle and bustle of Leeds.
At first, she describes how she found it all very overwhelming and she struggled to fit in, find a group of friends and a purpose in the city.
“I’d never really left my hometown, everyone there knows each other so I’ve never needed to make new friends or explore, suddenly I was surrounded by people and sounds, and it felt like I was drowning in the noise.”
She thanks the city of Leeds for helping her realise that she was stuck in a bubble and there was so much else out there. It took time, the first few months she says she was desperate to go home, but she found the strength to stick it out and make more of an effort to make friends at university and outside. Having the opportunity to meet new people led to a world of new experiences for Erin.
“Once I started to make friends, I quickly got the opportunity to go to all these new events. Leeds has so much to offer from art shows, to light night and a vibrant music scene, I never get bored here and I’ve even started to take part in some of my friends art installations which has massively helped my confidence and I’m going to a festival here soon, my first one!”
Jessica Trays 