Twenty years ago this month, I left home to go to University. Here’s (some of) what’s happened since then
This piece was originally published here in 2021. This is a slightly updated version.
I lived in Cardiff for six years, three of those as a Cardiff University student. I graduated with a BA Hons in Ancient History in 2007 and then worked as a customer service agent for Cardiff Council.
I really relished the social life I had a student: many great nights out and fancy dress parties! I also enjoyed being a member of the then newly created Harry Potter Society, which I am pleased is still going. During my time in Cardiff, I saw the building of ‘St. David’s 2’ and the new library — the city changed so much during those few years. My favourite part of Cardiff was the Bay; it always felt like taking a mini holiday to go there and stroll around. This was also the time when the BBC series Torchwood was being filmed, so that added some extra excitement to visiting the Bay.
At the end of 2010, I decided to emigrate to Finland. I had visited several times on holiday with my sister, including during the snowy winter, so I had some idea of what living there would be like. I had also read a lot about Finland’s history during World War II and appeared on TV’s Mastermind (2010 series, episode 19) with Finland’s ‘Winter War’ as my…