Social media is part of our daily lives, and it is normal that we use it as a resource to make decisions, to inform ourselves and to entertain ourselves. In this blog, I am not trying to promote the use of social media because I understand that it can be a complex and controversial topic in today's discussions, but I do want to share with you several Instagram accounts that I found very useful during my time living in Northern Ireland.

These accounts taught me how to entertain myself in Belfast, to keep up to date with the activities that would take place throughout the year, the places to visit; and they also helped to inspire me and romanticise my experience in Northern Ireland.

It is worth clarifying that none of the accounts mentioned are paid advertising, it is simply my opinion regarding what I see on social media.

@Love_belfast and @visitbelfast

You've probably seen these two accounts before and are familiar with their posts. They are definitely some of my favourites and the ones that have helped me the most when deciding what to do on my free days or afternoons. @love_belfast and @visitbelfast are accounts that post frequently (almost daily) about the activities that take place in the city throughout the year. You can find information about concerts, sporting events, hotels, gastronomic events, etc., which are very useful for both tourists and locals.

@Travellernorthernireland

This account is also very popular, and it is mainly characterised by aerial shots of the most spectacular landscapes of Northern Ireland. The account belongs to Mark Rowan, a blogger who is dedicated to exploring the island with his drone and taking wonderful photographs of the cities and landscapes he sees. The account has been very useful for me because it has inspired me to travel around the island and witness its landscapes for myself.

My Visit to Ballintoy Harbour

@Miranda__johnston and @jgendron5

These accounts belong to two women with whom I identify a lot, because like them, I also took on the challenge of moving to Northern Ireland from abroad. Miranda is a woman of Latin American origin (like me) who moved to Northern Ireland because it is where her husband is from.

I was able to connect with Miranda quickly because, like me, she had trouble finding Latin food in Belfast and it seemed funny to me that another person was going through the same situation as me, but she was able to solve it and thanks to that, I could too! Thus, by sharing her journey and change on the island, her social networks grew, to the point that I never miss her stories of adventures and travels.

Jackie, on the other hand, also moved to the island from the USA for her husband's job, but she built a path and reputation for herself in Belfast as an influencer who got invited to podcasts and events. Jackie, who has already returned to the USA, took it upon herself to visit as many restaurants in Belfast as possible, making a great review of each one of them. It was the social network that my friends and I used to decide where to go for a girls night out in Belfast and all of her posts are still visible on her Instagram page.

@qubelfast

Last but not least, our beloved university's instagram page. Here you will be kept up to date with the latest news on campus, events and good news in our academic community. I also recommend that you follow the social pages of places adjacent our university, such as @queensstudentunion or @qubgradschool so that you are aware of events or specific dates. You can follow the social pages corresponding to your faculty, club or society.

Social networks keep us connected and in communication! Don't waste their usefulness during your time in Belfast studying at Queen's.

Find out more

The Most Instagrammable Places in Northern Ireland

Discovering Belfast as an International Student

Living Abroad in Belfast: A Unique Experience

VIDEO: My Top Ten Tips for First Years

Isabella Barros De La Rosa Violence, Terrorism and Security | Postgraduate Student | Colombia Hello, my name is Isabella Barros, I am 24 years old and I am from a beautiful city on the Caribbean coast of Colombia called Barranquilla.  I am very into running and outdoor activities. That's why Belfast is so amazing to live in, because of the landscapes, and the spaces for this kind of hobby. Besides running and studying, you can find me in any bookstore, wandering around the city, or enjoying a pleasant coffee in a cute cafe!