Today at 23:00 GMT, the UK will officially leave the EU. To some, this might seem like doomsday dawning upon us. To others, it is a long-awaited moment that marks the beginning of a better future. 

I wanted to get the last-minute opinions of three individuals, each affected in different ways, and each with unique views on the matter, to get a sense of the social climate leading up to the moment of truth. I also decided to ask them all the same question at the end of each interview, regarding an aspect of Brexit relevant to most young people: universities. This is due to the fact that since June 2016, there has already been a drop in the number of students from EU member states.

I first interviewed a Year 11 student living in London, who migrated to England from Poland, a member of the EU, almost 6 six years ago. She stated, simply: “I think that it's an unnecessary waste of time. All this time arguing about Brexit could have been spent on something that would actually help the country.”

When asked how she thought people in the EU will react, particularly in Poland, she responded: “I don’t know how to answer that. I feel like everyone reacted about it the first time it was introduced and now everyone is tired of it. I know I am. I don't like the decision but it’s made and I wish that the whole thing would just finally be done.” 

On the topic of how Brexit might affect students, both international and domestic, she told me: “I think that some people might feel like they're not welcome as much in the UK, as they wanted to detach themselves from the EU. I know people that think they are clearly not wanted there and so would prefer not to go.” 

I later interviewed another Year 11 student, also living in London, whose view was strikingly different.

“I think it will benefit us actually, because we are now open to new trade deals and trading on our own terms. The USA has said that they are eager to do a trade deal with us once we have left and New Zealand has also said how they want a trade deal with us.”

On universities, she stated: “I think, because we will develop a stronger relationship with America, it will be easier for us to study in America and travel there. Also, I believe we will be able to fund our universities more as we will no longer be giving 13 million a week to the EU.” 

The third person I interviewed was a British citizen living abroad in an EU member country, therefore unable to vote on the day of the Brexit referendum. This was his response.

"Today is a very sad day for me. Brexit has had a strong impact on the lives of 2M Brits living in the EU. From the 1st of February, we will not be considered EU citizens any longer, which is a tremendous loss for the Brits in general. In the future, my children and I will be considered 'third country nationals' in our host country Germany with less rights than other EU nationals. Also, we will not be able to work and live freely any longer in other EU countries. This means a great amount of administrative hurdles to overcome both in our host country (i.e. acquiring a permanent residency), or in case I decide to move around the EU with my family.”

“Most importantly, the psychological burden of going down the history as being the first nation to break away from the union of European nations is a tough one to swallow."

As the father of two children who could potentially be future UK university students, my last question hit close to home.

"After Brexit, the opportunity of studying in other EU countries tuition free via the Erasmus programme might not be as easily accessible for my British children. For decades, all EU students have enjoyed the right to explore other European cultures, and academic institutions, allowing them to meet like-minded Europeans and create a network around it. Why should British students miss out on such a unique experience?" 

I found it interesting to see the difference in their responses, both in experience and knowledge on the topic, as well as emotion. Despite being only a snapshot of the wide array of perspectives out there, I feel it demonstrates that while some feel very passionate about the subject, others feel almost indifferent to the result, impatient for it all to be over.

Although the transition process is still not over, and not everyone may agree with the decisions made, I’m sure this will be remembered as an important event in UK’s history. Perhaps it might even be found in GCSE History textbooks one day.