Nights out in Swansea were some of the greatest experiences I had Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The workload was far less than anything I do at my home university. They expect students to do lots of learning on their own, but there is no means to check that and very few students I encountered actually did. It was mostly a system where students scrape by doing the smallest possible work. But they are not rewarded as easily as they are at home.

On-site administration of your program

The study abroad team at Swansea were phenomenal. They understood the problems students face and worked with us to create easy solutions. They tried to make our experience the best it could be. They also organized trips for the international students. One of the staff was available to talk to us always. We even had the coordinators home number if there were any serious problems.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in a flat owned by the university. It was located in the Hendrefoelan Student Village where 3,000 Swansea students live. I lived with 6 other British students all in their first year of university. This was by far the best aspect of studying in Swansea. <br /><br /> The Student Village was very old and run-down. But it was the best place for students to live. They have a laundry facility, bar, convenient store, and diner all within the Village. A bus ran from the Village to uni every 15 minutes so it was very easy to get to classes. It was a 10 minute cab ride to city center, or a 20 minute bus ride. I bought the bare necessities for my room, sheets and towels, and borrowed everything in the kitchen from my flatmates. My flatmates made my experience such a positive one, so I wouldn't choose anything else.

The Village is self-catered. The diner in the Village served mostly greasy food, and catered mostly to drunk students coming back from a night out. The food of Wales leaves something to be desired. All the pubs are really cheap but serve the same menu everywhere.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Nights out in Swansea were some of the greatest experiences I had. On student nights, everything was cheaper and it was nice to know everyone around you went to uni. St. David's Day was really cool to see, all the kids in Swansea dressed in traditional Welsh outfits.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I was treated immediately at the health center when I had a cold. And I never felt unsafe in Swansea. Everyone is so incredibly friendly it's hard not to feel like you belong.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

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• Local Students