I didn't know what to expect when planning my trip to San Diego, USA for my semester abroad, but no expectation came close to the amazing time I had. I'm a third year BA (Hons) English Literature student, and I spent the second semester of my second year studying at San Diego State University.

Something I really didn't expect was the incredible benefit that immersing yourself in a new culture has on your self-development. I don't think that you'd get the same experience by simply travelling to a place as you do by living there for an extended period of time. San Diego is a place rich in culture. It borders Mexico, meaning that there's a large Hispanic population which was so incredible to be around as it isn't something I'd experienced before.

The food and the music were a particular highlight for me. Great, authentic Mexican food was so easily accessible and quickly became my favourite thing to eat. So much so that I regularly look for Mexican restaurants now that I'm back home - but nothing even comes close to the authenticity of the small beachside taco stands.

I think that being immersed in this new culture had an incredibly positive impact on my learning. English literature has a large focus on perspective and I gained new knowledge and viewpoints that I carry with me in my work now that I'm back in Leeds.

While I was there my goals and focus completely changed. It put into perspective how many opportunities are out there that I didn't even know were possible before. I feel as though I work harder and have so much more drive and motivation because ultimately, I'd love to go back and live there again. I found myself in San Diego and I couldn't talk enough about the positive impact this experience has had on my life.