Inbound student experience
Will spent a semester studying at Swansea University as part of his Management degree at University of Houston, USA
Erasmus was a great aid to my study abroad experience as it allowed me to travel extensively and invest in my education! It was also a good experience learning how to set up a bank account in the UK. Writing about my experiences abroad was required for the Erasmus grant, but it will also benefit me when I reflect on them. This made it a win win situation for the Erasmus organization and it’s participants. I can also connect with other Erasmus students in the future because of the contact details I provided at the end of my placement. I travelled around the UK and Europe - to Ireland, Scotland, Denmark and Switzerland.
Edivania spent a year studying abroad at Grenoble Alpes University as part of her Modern languages degree
Grenoble has been a dream! Currently having the best time of my life and forever grateful that I am able to take part in a programme like this especially after such difficult times. Can’t wait to explore more of France and just embrace more of my life abroad!
Helena spent a year abroad studying at Dalhousie University as part of her Accounting and Finance degree.
My experience was everything I thought and more. I met loads of new people and got to go on many different trips both close to Dalhousie and further afield such as Niagara Falls. It helped me gain confidence, improved my communication skills and allowed me to become more adaptable as I experienced a different style of teaching. I couldn’t recommend studying abroad more highly and wish I could do it all over again!
Ivana spent the first semester of her year abroad studying at University of Mons, Belgium as part of her Translation degree
Apart from becoming highly addicted to delicious Belgian waffles and chips, I've met some amazing Erasmus students from all around the world, as well as friendly and welcoming Mons locals. Living in a francophone part of Belgium (Wallonia) has allowed me to travel anywhere in Europe easily and has helped me improve my French on a daily basis.
Piers spent a year studying abroad at Colorado State University as part of his American Studies degree
I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. I was welcomed with open arms by every person I met not only within the inclusive and wide-ranging induction week, but in the wider community as well. From family dinners with local residents to weekends spent in CSU’s Mountain Campus, Colorado couldn’t have made me feel more welcome.
I’ll always be grateful for the help I received from Swansea’s Go Global team and CSU’s Office of International Programs for making the transition from Wales to Colorado so seamless. The exchange program is a fantastic opportunity for anyone, and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Romany spent three months in Finland completing a clinical placement as part of her Nursing degree
The semester abroad benefited me in many ways. I have excelled academically, and my confidence has flourished. My communication skills have been enhanced greatly and this is one of the most vital skills a nurse must possess. I underwent 10 weeks of clinical placement and was able to partake in the nursing of patients within Finnish guidelines and procedures. Additionally, I had the honour of being part of an incredible team dynamic during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. I was able to witness the efficiency of teamwork and the calm manner that was adopted during the situation. Further, I was supported in English while performing compressions for the very first time in my career as a nurse, this was an incredible experience and I am thankful to be able to take this with me on my ongoing career.
James spent 1 semester abroad at Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Spain and 1 semester at Johannes-Gutenberg Universität, Germany as part of his Translation & Interpreting degree
Studying Translation and Interpreting in Swansea meant that I had the opportunity to spend my year abroad studying at two highly prestigious universities, specialised within the field of linguistics and translation. From September until the start of April, I was attending the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, Spain and from April until July, I studied at the Johannes-Gutenberg Universität in Germersheim, Germany. I am extremely grateful for all the experiences, memories and people that I have met along my journey, and I truly believe that I am returning to Swansea with qualities and skills that will put me above others academically and professionally - enabling me to continue my chosen path in life.
Dominica Khoo was one of the first participants in Swansea's TAMU exchange programme
My semester in Texas definitely made me more adaptable in ‘foreign’ environments. No matter where I go I feel instantly at home, as I do travel a lot for my work. It has developed my personal flexibility, ability to reach compromise, focus and succeed through challenging times. The experience allowed me to mature and develop social poise, and to confront challenges outside my familiar support network and comfort zone.
I wouldn't have become who I am today without the guidance and support of my professors at Swansea who were always very encouraging and supportive of my academic career. They have inspired me so much and I hope I have made them proud.
Hermione spent 3 months in Mexico and 3 months in Australia completing a work placement as part of her BSc Marine Biology degree
During my year abroad, I have been to two separate continents on two different industry placements. My first placement was situated in Veracruz, on the Gulf Coast of Mexico in a remote village. The placement itself was based on the conservation of endangered sea turtles. I also partook in environmental education in the surrounding villages and towns, giving presentations to children of all ages on the importance of environmental preservation. My second placement was spent working with the University of Western Australia in Perth, Australia. The placement was based on research in a seawater facility. I ran an experiment start to finish, testing different environmental conditions on corals and seeing the reaction. I tried to take as many opportunities travelling as possible, including spending time on Rottnest Island, just off the coast of Perth.
I am incredibly grateful for the experiences and opportunities that the Go Global team have opened up for me, that I would not have been able to do without the support, both economically and morally, of the office.
Bethan spent a year studying abroad at Rennes School of Business as part of her Business Management degree
My motivations for choosing to spend a year studying abroad in France were the prospect of broadening my horizons and expanding the very narrow view of the world I previously had. Studying in France provided me with the opportunity to experience a completely different culture of my own whilst not being too far from home. It is an experience which has boosted my confidence enough to consider every opportunity presented to me, may it be back home in Wales or on the other side of the world. Since finishing my year abroad I have spent 6 weeks living and working as an Au Pair in Madrid and have been researching the possibility of studying a master’s degree in Germany post graduating. I am far from ready for my study abroad experience to be over.
Otteh Edubio was one of the first participants in Swansea University's reciprocal student exchange programme with leading universities in Texas. In the second year of his Medical Engineering degree Otteh spent a semester studying at Texas A&M University.
My time at Texas A&M gave me confidence in my degree and in myself. I had a bit of a stigma about not having been to a university like Cambridge and thought I would not be able to compete, but going to A&M made me realise that what I had learned at Swansea meant I could compete.
Niraj spent a semester abroad at Texas A&M University, one of Swansea University's Strategic Partner Universities, as part of his Engineering degree
For my exchange, I had the opportunity to go on a semester abroad to Texas A&M University. Although my time abroad was short, it was very eventful and I got to experience new things. I went to my first ever American Football game and was amazed by the dedication to the sport even at a college level. This was one of the highlights of my time abroad. I was also fortunate enough to visit some places nearby; these included The Alamo in San Antonio; the Space Centre in Houston and Dallas.
Through the exchange, I hoped to gain a better understanding of the way engineering is taught and demonstrated within the US as opposed to the common practices in Europe that I am familiar with. I think that I managed to achieve this, even though the biggest challenge was adapting to a different style of teaching. Overall, I enjoyed my experience and I’m so glad that I went.
Wura, a Psychology student, spent her summer abroad volunteering in Zambia
I took part in the Discovery Swansea Siavonga Partnership and decided to take part in this programme as I am passionate about helping vulnerable women and children, and I wanted a summer programme where I could further develop my passion. My favourite aspect of this trip was the visits to local women’s groups in their villages. I thoroughly enjoyed this as I was able to learn so much about the day to day lives of the women living in and around Siavonga, as well as learn about the amazing work so many of them do to support their local communities. These women inspired me so much and getting the privilege to meet and talk with them is something I will never forget. I gained so many skills, friends and personal fulfilment from it and I massively recommend this summer programme to other students.
Oliver spent his summer volunteering in Fiji through the Think Pacific volunteering programme
The programme in Fiji was so much more than I expected. On arrival, we joined a village and volunteered in the local school. We had to identify those children who needed additional support and help them with their learning. Alongside this, we participated in other activities such as village fun fairs, village medical classes and other village group activities. Every Saturday we would go on planned excursions to the beach or waterfalls. The trip has made me a better person, improved my social skills, the way I look at learning, and the way I look at life in general.
Scott spent a year abroad at the University of Houston as part of his Zoology degree
I liked that the degree scheme was flexible and I was able to take a wide variety of classes. The city of Houston has much to offer and the highlights were attending a Houston Rockets NBA game at the Toyota Center and watching the Houston Astros play baseball. At Christmas time me and a fellow Swansea student travelled to New York and on Christmas day we rented bicycles and explored Central Park. We also went to South Padre for Spring Break: I’d seen movies of what spring break entailed and South Padre island did not disappoint!
Poornima spent her summer at the Baylor College of Medicine as part of her Medical Sciences degree
I was attracted to the programme as I am considering a career in medicine and research, specifically surgery and surgical techniques. The experience changed me as a person: it made me more able to speak spontaneously, to lead, and prepared me for my next years of study. I have been able to build strong networks with people in Texas which will help me in my future career.
It was an unforgettable experience which has helped shape the person I want to be.
Kate spend a year abroad in the University of Texas at Austin as part of her Psychology degree
I really loved the city of Austin. There was so much to do and there was a fantastic happy vibe of 'Keeping Austin Weird'. I loved how quirky Austin was, and how it was a mixture of a built up city and peaceful green area, with the picturesque lake and park right next to downtown.
The best thing about my experience of studying abroad was the feeling of being completely independent. There was something about being in a new place, miles away from your comfort zone that was terrifying but at the same time extremely rewarding when I succeeded.
