Wales British Exchange Program, University of Wales Swansea, Wales, Fall 2005 Margaret Mason

1
Wales British Exchange Program, University of
Wales Swansea, Wales, Fall 2005Margaret Mason
UWS
Results

• Introduction
• I studied in Swansea Wales during the Fall
  Semester 2005. This is a direct exchange program
  through the University of Illinois Study Abroad
  Office.

• UWS
• After arriving in Swansea I discovered the campus
  to be very small. There were about 100 other
  Americans studying abroad (40 of whom I took a 2
  week orientation class with). The program was
  very catered to American Exchange students making
  adjustment very easy.
• Housing
• For the first two weeks the only students on
  campus were Americans in the orientation class.
  We lived in single dorms on campus and were
  provided with a meal plan of dinner. This
  arrangement allowed us to adjust and familiarize
  ourselves with the campus and town before the
  rest of the student body began school.
• After the orientation was over we were assigned
  permanent housing.
• I lived in the Student Village in a house with 12
  other housemates. I shared a room with a friend
  I studied abroad with. The rest of the
  housemates were either English or Welsh. The
  house had a shared kitchen. This arrangement
  worked out great! Our housemates were very
  welcoming and inviting. It was a great way to
  meet the locals and become friends. The Student
  Village was about 2 miles from campus, it had
  flats and houses where most of the first year
  students lived. The set up of the village itself
  also encourage socialization as any student who
  lived there could easily pop into other houses or
  flats because they were all in the same place.
• Academics
• I took three courses while abroad. Classes were
  much smaller especially discussions. Work was
  much more independent not requiring any busy
  worked as compared to classes at UIUC.
• AMX 315 Intro to British Culture and Politics
• This class was the orientation class taken with
  all Americans. We were taken on various field
  trips and attended lectures and discussions.
  Grading was based on an essay.
• PO 120 Watching Them Watch Us..
• This class I took in the regular term with the
  rest of the student body. This was a level one
  course which meant most of the students were
  either international or first years. The class
  had 2 lectures a week and 1 seminar (discussion)
  every two weeks. Grading was based on seminars
  and two essays.
• AM 203 All American Heroes
• This class also took place during the regular
  term. This was a level two class which most of
  the students were second years. Grading was
  based on attendance in seminars, a take home
  essay exam, exam, and an essay. For each seminar
  we prepared presentations on various topics with
  a group.
• Social Life
• Meeting Locals
• This was fairly easy to do. Our housing
  arrangements placed us living with locals. Also,
  after the first two weeks we were friend with
  many of the Americans and then became friends
  with their roommates as well. In classes we also
  studied with them. The atmosphere in Swansea is
  very friendly. Everyone was extremely welcoming
  and outgoing. Every experience I had with locals
  was positive and they also loved the American
  accent.
• Activities
• In my spare time I hung out with my roommates.
  We went to town at night or went to the pub at
  the village. I also went to town to shop or
  simply walk around. Another attraction of
  Swansea is the scenery. I often walked along the
  path which was right on the water. We had great
  weather for the most part. I did not have a
  computer in my room or a television so I was
  forced to do a variety of things to occupy my
  time.

• Hypothesis
• Reasons for choosing Wales
• The dates of the program were the same as the
  time frame of U of I semesters.
• Location
• I wanted to study in Europe
• Language
• I wanted to study in an English speaking country.
• Expectations
• To experience a new environment (social and
  academic settings).
• I hoped to meet new people with different
  backgrounds than myself.

Italy
Materials and Methods

• Identification
• I researched study abroad programs via the Study
  Abroad Website (http//www.ips.uiuc.edu/sao/)
• I also went to the Study Abroad Office to obtain
  materials about programs.
• Preparation
• Acceptance
• Required an application form, two letters of
  recommendation from professors, one personal
  essay explaining why I wanted to study abroad.
• Meetings/Orientations
• First Steps Meeting
• Follow Up Meeting
• Study Abroad Orientation
• Paper Work
• Course Approvals
• Transportation
• Needed to book own airfare and be able to arrive
  at school unassisted. This entailed flying into
  London, getting to Paddington Train Station, from
  there a 3hr train ride to Swansea, and finally a
  short cab ride to campus.
• Thoughts and Concerns
• Concerns
• My main worry was being able to get to campus
  with all of my luggage. This turned into a bit
  of a hassle as luggage was bulky and heavy and I
  did not know how to reach the train station from
  the airport.
• I also was concerned about what it would be like
  to actually live in another country.
• Anticipation

Cliffs of Moher Galway, Ireland
Discussion

• Would I study abroad again at UWS?
• Definitely yes!
• I actually did not want to come home when it came
  time to leaving. I loved everything about the
  program. The American Studies Office at Swansea
  took the time to meet and get to know each
  American exchange student by name. They took a
  great deal of care in making sure that we were
  adjusting and also that all of our needs were
  met.
• The social aspect in Swansea was also a huge
  plus. It seemed that everyone was so eager to
  meet new people. Also, there was never a dull
  moment with the English and Welsh.
• Would I recommend this program to other students?
• Yes!
• This program is catered to American students. We
  were exempt from exams because they would have
  been at the end of January. The courses are very
  independent and allow a great deal of leeway for
  those who would like to take time to travel.
  Despite the fact the courses do not meet as often
  as they do at UIUC, I felt that I learned a great
  deal in the courses I did take. UWS is a great
  place to study.

Scotland at the castle
Conclusions

• Overall I had a great time studying abroad. I
  was surprised the school and town was so small.
  This actually ended up being one of my favorite
  things. The smaller atmosphere allowed me to
  meet a great deal of people that I would never
  have the chance to. There were several
  individuals that meant a great deal to me. I
  became very close with 3 other Americans as well
  as a few of my housemates. These people helped
  to enhance my experience a great deal. We had a
  lot of fun together and I still keep in touch
  with them. The worst thing about the program was
  the cafeteria food. It sounds silly but it was
  horrible and living in dorms that was about all
  we had to eat unless we wanted to go out and pay.
  The best thing was the orientation. I highly
  recommend this it helped us to adjust and also
  the field trips were a great way to see new
  things. We were taken to the Gower Peninsula,
  Stonehenge, Bath, and several other places I
  would not have done on my own. This experience
  has made me much more independent. I now have
  the confidence to embark on new things on my own
  (I did not study abroad alone) but now I would
  have no problem going to foreign or new places
  alone. Academically the courses I took were not
  in my major. I did however take a new
  perspective on how non-Americans view our
  country. It was very interesting to learn their
  viewpoints and what they were based on. I
  learned so much while studying abroad. I never
  anticipated gaining all the experience and
  knowledge that I did. I also did nto expect to
  form long lasting friendships.
• I did wish I knew a few things before I left such
  as
• Traveling from Chicago to Swansea. It would have
  been helpful to know it is a bit more complicated
  than getting on a plane. I had quite the
  experience and frustrations all which I can laugh
  at now.
• Packing and Luggage. We were given general lists
  of what to bring and what not to bring. We were
  also forewarned to pack light! I did not expect
  how much this would really make traveling easier.
  Also, I packed almost all wrong. The general
  list did not include specifics such as the night
  life required fancy clothes, there was really no
  need for a heavy jacket, only a few sweaters or
  sweatshirts were needed.

Stonehenge
Tintern Abbey, South Wales
Background is a picture of The Gower Peninsula
located about 40 min from campus