«After 4 full months in Dublin, we have now reached Christmas. The next one and a half weeks we are able to spend wherever we like. Some students flew back to Switzerland to celebrate with their families and friends, while others took this opportunity to explore a new city.

Being a Dublin exchange student, spending Christmas in London was like stepping into a fairy tale to me. London's streets sparkle with lights, and everywhere I turned, the holiday spirit was present.

Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park was one of the highlights, with exciting rides and charming markets full of the holiday magic.

London is totally different from Dublin, not only in size, also the atmosphere and the people differ in various ways. From the moment I stepped foot into the City of London, I felt welcomed and comfortable. Despite being far from home, the warmth of London made me feel like part of the celebration.

I was able to explore a big part of the city, including Tower Bridge, the Big Ben, Canary Wharf and the London Eye. Exploring London’s infrastructure has been very fascinating to me. It is a total new experience compared to Dublin or Switzerland.

With just four weeks left until we head back to Switzerland, every bit of London's lights and every holiday tune felt like a reminder that our time abroad is running out. Even though our departure is on our minds, we are enjoying each moment and are creating memories that will stick with us even when we are back in Switzerland.»