Guest Writer Sze Ying Chan’s love story began on her very first day in York, when a chance meeting outside the Langwith Centre brought two Hong Kong students together in a new country, quickly turning companionship into love. Years later, as they prepare to marry in Hong Kong, they return to York for their pre-wedding photos – a place that still holds the magic of where their story began.
Tell us about how you met
“Date: 3 January 2018 (the first day I landed in York)
Time: Noon
Location: The area outside Langwith Centre Building
I had just finished student registration when a male voice suddenly called my Chinese name. This was absolutely impossible because I knew no one in this new country! To my surprise, it was a fellow Hong Kong student, previously unknown to me, on the same university exchange programme. We clicked instantly because of our shared background.
Alone in a foreign country, he quickly became my closest companion. We spent countless hours together: grocery shopping, learning to cook, sharing dinners, and still texting each other late into the night. The more time we shared, the deeper our feelings grew. One day, during a day trip to Leeds, he confessed his love.
Together we explored different aspects of life at the University of York. To name a few, we joined the Baking Society, purchased second-hand bikes to commute between the city centre and campus and studied together in the study pods of the Ron Cooke Hub, and were delighted by the cute York ducklings!”
Tell us about your life together now
“After dating for several years in our hometown, we’re getting married in Hong Kong in 2026.
Yet we insisted on having our pre-wedding photos taken in York, where our story began.
No matter how many years pass, our hearts still flutter when we look back on those wonderful days in York. At a time when we were both young and naive, everything felt bathed in rosy colours, but after our pre-wedding trip in August 2025, we realised York still works its magic on us.”
Ahead of Valentine’s Day we’d love to hear more of your alumni love stories. If you’d like to have your own love story featured, please fill in this form.
