Miriam Liberman on living and studying abroad in the beautiful city of Canterbury, England

Situated in Kent, in the South East of England, approximately one hour from London and twenty minutes from Dover, the first thing you notice when arriving in Canterbury is the cathedral. It was built in the 12th century and has attracted visitors and pilgrims ever since. Today Canterbury mostly attracts tourists, who want to experience the picturesque and medieval character of 'the most continental' city in the United Kingdom, and of course students. There are two universities, several language schools and boarding schools, all in all, the students make up almost one third of the population in the city.

Canterbury is a great place for students. It combines the small town sense of security with a vibrant student life. Whenever you want to take a break from your books there are plenty of things to do. If you need some 'retail therapy', there are many different shops to choose from. Walk around the new Whitefriars shopping quarter if you prefer the 'high street' chains or go to the department store Fenwick if you want more upmarket brands.

Canterbury also offers a great choice of restaurants, cafés, bars and pubs. Why not try the Italian restaurant Zizzi? Situated in a period building with characteristic beams and a sleek interior, the atmosphere is a cool mix of traditional English and modern Mediterranean. If you want a great cup of coffee, a baguette or a freshly baked croissant, the French café St. Pierre is the place to go. And when the sun is shining (it does not always rain in England) you can enjoy your coffee in the café's lovely back garden. For a more British experience, pop into a traditional English pub on a Saturday afternoon to watch live Premiership football on TV and have a pint or two.

If you want to do some sightseeing the biggest visitor attraction, literally, is Canterbury Cathedral. This magnificent building form part of the UNESCO world heritage site and is well worth a visit.  Other popular places to visit include the West Gate Towers, the Dane John Gardens and the Roman Museum.

Whatever you decide to do, remember to always be on the lookout for student discounts. Most shops, pubs and restaurants offer some kind of special deal for students. Just remember to bring a valid Student ID. But don't worry if you're short on cash, you can still find things to do in Canterbury. A nice way to spend a sunny afternoon is to go for a stroll or have a picnic in the beautiful Westgate gardens or simply walk around in the city centre, look at the historical buildings and try to imagine what it was like to live here in medieval times...

If you feel like taking a trip there are several different options. There are two railway stations in Canterbury with regular train services to central London and the proximity to continental Europe means that you can easily reach two other major European capitals, Paris and Brussels, in just a few hours. Simply get on one of the cross channel ferries from Dover or catch the Eurostar from Ashford International which is just twenty minutes away by train. If you don't want to leave the country, you can just hop on one of the local buses and go to the lovely coastal town of Whitstable which is less than thirty minutes away. Whitstable is famous for its pebbled beaches, oysters and seafood as well as a variety of water sports including windsurfing and waterskiing. If the countryside is more your cup of tea, the county of Kent, known as the garden of England, offers a wide range of activities.

Studying in Canterbury means not only that you get to experience life in the UK, but also that you'll get the opportunity to meet people from all over the world. The number of international students is high, so you'll fit right in. Whether you come to Canterbury to do a 6-week language course or stay for a full degree, you're bound to have a good time. While you're here, make the most of the international and friendly atmosphere and try to get to know people from different countries, cultures and backgrounds. It'll give you a chance to practice your English and, who knows, maybe learn a few words in French, Greek or Japanese too...

Miriam Liberman is currently studying for an MA in European Governance at the University of Kent in Canterbury, England