We, Arshitha Mathew and Soumya Pallipotta, had such a fun and memorable time during our secondment at the University of Leeds. From the moment we arrived, we felt warmly welcomed by everyone and the friendly atmosphere made it easy to settle in.

The labs were super well equipped, and honestly, it was exciting just to be working in such a space. Everything felt smooth, and we got to focus on learning and exploring without much hassle. Attending the course on Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) by Prof. Sandra Piazolo was a highlight as it was very hands-on and easy to follow, which made it even more interesting.

With the guidance of Prof. Richard Barker, Dr. Joshua Owen, and Dr. Yuvaraj Dhandapani, we got to see how electrochemical measurements for steel corrosion are actually done, which was really cool! and also understand the CO₂ exposure cell setup. It was one of those experiences where you feel like “okay, now this makes sense!”

Description: From water wheels to modern engineering, displayed inside the School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds

Outside the lab, Leeds quickly became one of our favourite places. The city has such a nice mix of busy streets and calm green spots. We especially loved visiting Kirkstall Abbey and Park Square.

Kirkstall Abbey felt like stepping into a different time-with its huge stone arches and peaceful surroundings, it was the perfect place to just slow down and take it all in. Park Square, on the other hand, was like a quiet little escape right in the middle of the city.

And yes, the double-decker buses were a whole experience by themselves! Sitting on the top and watching the city go by was oddly relaxing.

The weather kept us guessing every day-one moment it was sunny, the next a bit rainy-but honestly, we didn’t mind at all😍. It still felt amazing, especially coming from -18 °C in Trondheim, Norway, so this was definitely a big upgrade for us!

A cherished part of the day was our twenty-minute walk to and from the apartment to the University. It might sound simple, but those walks were honestly so refreshing-just chatting, laughing, and enjoying the surroundings. It was the perfect mix of work and relaxation, and we made so many small but special memories along the way.

Of course, no experience is complete without good food and good company! Some of our best moments were simply spent eating together and trying out different places.