Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am an English and Film Studies major who attends school in upstate New York at the University at Buffalo. My home campus is in the suburb of Buffalo, so coming to Cardiff has given me an opportunity to live in a city.

What motivated you to do a semester abroad at Cardiff University?

I’ve had an interest in the United Kingdom for a long time, mostly from watching movies and television shows about Britain. Going to Wales instead of England meant that I’d have a chance to experience a Celtic country with an under appreciated culture.

What advice would you give to other students when applying for the programme?

It never hurts to correspond with Global Opportunities frequently and ask any questions you have about the program; better safe than sorry! If the work that it takes to get into the program starts to get stressful, just think about how fun it will be to travel and enjoy the United Kingdom once you get there.

What is the one thing you wish you’d known before you left?

Coaches are often much more affordable for travel than the train, so it never hurts to research coach tickets or split travel between coaches and trains. All in all, public transportation is much more accessible than in most of the U.S.

What was your biggest challenge?

From a non-European, stores close earlier, which means stocking up on essentials before 5-8 pm.

Tell us about student life – have you got involved in any clubs/societies?

The Lana Del Rey and Taylor Swift societies have thrown wonderful club nights!

What are your highlights from your time in Cardiff ?

I’ve travelled all over the UK and gone to some of the most famous places, like Stonehenge, Oxford, and London, mostly thanks to the many Give it a Go trips through Cardiff University (which I would highly recommend). Traveling the UK and even taking a coach to Paris and traveling mainland Europe has been very fun.

What can you tell us about being in Wales and the Welsh culture?

The Welsh are famously friendly people, which I can attest to. One of the most interesting parts of being in Wales is the way that most things are written in Welsh and English. Rugby culture can be fun, and going to a rugby game is one of the best ways to feel immersed in Welsh culture.

Can you tell us about the learning and teaching environment at Cardiff University?

The seminars tend to be very small, so it’s very necessary to do the readings ahead of time so that you’re not the only one who isn’t participating. The lectures aren’t too long, and only being enrolled in three modules frees up a lot of time I wouldn’t have had in the states.

What would you say to students who are unsure about coming to study at Cardiff University?

The city has everything that a university student would want, ie; conveniently located stores with every essential, to cute arcade shops, to fun bars and clubs, and everything is close nearby. If you’re inclined to travel, like I was, the location of the city is great considering that London and Bristol, which both have coaches, trains, and flights aren’t that far away.

Can you sum up your experience in one sentence?

I’ve had fun, socialized, travelled, and while this might sound cliche, made incredible memories.