I came to Queen's for a number of reasons. I wanted to study history and politics and there aren't many colleges in Ireland that offer that combination from the start.

As well as that, I wanted to study modern history and politics courses on the North, so Queen's was a natural choice.

I enrolled in 1997, which was the last year when students from the south got a grant for their fees up here. I didn't get one, though, so I know what it is like to be here on a tight budget.

I have to say that although the exchange rate is a killer, and can be very tight on the budget sometimes - especially when you want to travel home - a lot of things are no more expensive up here than in the south.

Food is still slightly cheaper and there is always cheap beer in the union and elsewhere.

Up here part-time work isn't well paid: you would be doing really well if you got £4 per hour. Having said that, my student accommodation is very good and it is only £50 a week, much less than Dublin or Galway, and you could easily get cheaper.

Queen's has a whole host of societies to get involved in, from rock climbing to role playing.

I was heavily involved in the Queen's Students' Union young leaders programme both as organiser and participant. Through this I had placements in Washington, meeting ambassadors and senators while I was there.

You can do that in other colleges, but I wouldn't have become so involved had I not been at Queen's.

The university itself is only 10-15 minutes walk from the city centre and you still feel you are in the city. It is self contained, with everything within walking distance. It is fairly old, so it looks attractive, and it also has the bonus of being right beside the botanic gardens. This park is great for letting you forget you are in college for a few minutes.

Friends from home thought I was crazy coming up here, but I have never had any trouble because of my background. I have been involved in the students' union and politics society and have spoken to people from the Royal Black Preceptory [a Unionist marching order] all the way across to Sinn Fein.

If I can avoid trouble, anyone can. That's not to say that in Belfast there aren't parts of the city to be careful in. There are, as with any city, but at least here they are well sign-posted on the kerbstones.

Even though the city does not feel like one down south, it isn't like a British city - it still feels like you are at home.

I would see myself staying here for a while, I like the people and the atmosphere. I won't be going back to Galway soon.