Semester in Wales, Swansea
Feb 03
Michelle Jackson
Are you ready for a change of scenery? Are you tired of your degree? Then your
solution is to study abroad! And there can be no better place to do it than
at the University of Wales Swansea.
I think most Americans have a tendency to think of Britain as full of Hugh Grants
being perfect gentleman and playing polo all day. But I have been in Swansea
for six months now and I am still being amazed how different British culture
is from my preconceived notions. And even how different the Welsh are from the
rest of Britain. To most Americans, all British people sound the same and are
from nEngland." But tell a Welshman he is English and you may well have
a fight on your hands! In such a tiny country, the strength of regionalism is
amazing. Accents vary, literally, from one town to the next and the Welsh accent
is one of the most unique. No one considers themselves British but Welsh, Scottish,
a Londoner, and so on.
As far as travel is concerned, you will, literally, have the world at your door.
Swansea is an excellent base for European travel and most flights to the major
European cities are well under one hundred dollars. The travel shop on the university
campus also offers many different tour packages for stress-free travel. But,
whatever you do, don't miss out on London. After all, its only four hours and
$30 from Swansea! No matter what your interests, London has something for you.
From museums and theatre to history or architecture to great pubs and lots of
great shopping, you will never exhaust London. It will exhaust you!
