Travelling from the northeast of Brazil, Laihnus arrived in Cardiff full of ambition and an eagerness to explore.
With a keen interest in history, the 16-year-old has taken full advantage of Wales’s historical offerings, including a student trip to Cardiff Castle. He has made new friends and thoroughly enjoys his studies at Cardiff and Vale College.
The more I learned and experienced, the more confident I became that Cardiff was the place where I wanted to live and study for my A-levels in psychology, business studies, and computer science.
"Choosing a place to study abroad is a big decision, and for me, Cardiff immediately caught my attention. From the beginning, I felt fascinated by Wales itself and by the atmosphere of the city. The more I learned and experienced, the more confident I became that Cardiff was the place where I wanted to live and study for my A-levels in psychology, business studies, and computer science.
One of the main reasons I chose Cardiff was the culture of Wales. It is a country deeply connected to its history, and this is especially visible through its castles. Wales is known for having one of the highest concentrations of castles in the world, and Cardiff Castle is a perfect example of this rich heritage. I have only been there once so far, but I plan to visit it many more times because I really enjoyed it. The castle reflects influences from different cultures and historical periods, which makes it even more fascinating.
Another aspect that attracted me was the beauty of the country. Wales offers stunning landscapes, full of green spaces and natural scenery, and Cardiff reflects this perfectly. The city combines urban life with nature in a very balanced way. Parks, open areas, and the waterfront create a calm and pleasant environment that I love to walk through.
Cardiff also feels very familiar to me because of its size. The city is similar to my hometown in that it is not too big or overwhelming, yet it has everything a student needs. This made adapting to life here much easier. The city is well connected, easy to navigate, and everything I need is within walking distance.
A very important part of my experience in Cardiff has been the people I have met along the way. I have made great friends here, both local and international, who have made my experience even more meaningful. These friendships helped me feel supported and included, especially during my first months. We often go to Cardiff Bay and play basketball, and a couple of days ago we went to the cinema to watch Lord of the Rings together.
Overall, I’m so happy to have chosen Cardiff as my new home."
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