With every experience I have ever imagined in my mind, I can not think of anything better than my experience studying abroad.  Everything that I learned was beneficial to me in numerous ways and will help me in many future situations.  I discovered hidden feelings and emotions that I had never felt before.  I would sum this up by my discovery of who I really am through travelling to different countries and meeting people with a different take on the world.  You can't be a well-rounded person until you have actually dipped yourself into other cultures; there truely is no better way to find out more about yourself and the world.

~Sarah Beth Hailey, Communication Studies Major

During my study abroad at Swansea University, Spring 2008, I was an intern at a Welsh TV station called Telesgop. After my first day I knew that the experience would be rewarding. At Telesgop I was able to learn about the daily work of television production as well as learn more about Wales and its unique culture. The staffers at Telesgop are bilingual; however they speak to each other throughout the day in Welsh. The company is very in tune with the culture of Wales.

              By far the most memorable experiences I had at my internship were the two days I spent on location with the film crew. On Tuesday, January 22, I caught a train and met Terwyn, my supervisor, in the town of Carmarthen. Ffermio (Telesgop’s farming TV show) was doing a small piece about the Carmarthen Livestock market and its owner Dai Lewis. It was a bitter cold day but the livestock market was alive with farmers throughout the Welsh country side. Most of the farmers were old men, in flat caps, with gruff, wrinkled faces. They all spoke Welsh. They had come to sell or bid on Cattle. The experience was unique, not only because it was Wales, but I also had never been to a rural livestock market before and it was an incredible learning experience.

         Overall, I had a great experience studying abroad in Swansea. The classes were laid back and the students were very friendly. I was able to explore the UK as well as travel throughout Europe to Italy, France, and The Netherlands. It's one of those trips that I'll never forget. My internship experiences will not only be a notch on my resume but last a lifetime in my memories.

~William (Will) Bareford, Film Studies Major

Semester in Wales

Again for Spring 2009, the University of North Carolina at Wilmington will sponsor a semester study abroad program in Great Britain at the University of Wales at Swansea, winner of the coveted London Times award for “best student experience” among British universities, as determined by student votes. We welcome honors students from universities across the United States to join us.

The semester will be hosted by Dr. Patricia Comeaux, UNCW Professor of Communication Studies.

The Setting: The University of Wales at Swansea, overlooking Swansea Bay, is situated within a large area of landscaped parkland within walking distance of the city center. To the west is the lovely Gower Peninsula with its broad bays and sandy coves. Swansea is a modern city of 200,000 with well-equipped leisure centers and cultural facilities. Swansea can be reached by train from London in about 3 hours.

Course of study: Students may earn 15-17 credits at Swansea by enrolling in four courses and completing an internship or a London or Swansea presessional.

• internship or London or Swansea presessional: 3 credits
• courses of the student's choice from the Swansea catalog: 9-12 credits
• honors seminar (Understanding Dylan Thomas’ Influence: Exploring Swansea and Wales): 2     credits. Course is optional.

Students from any major are welcome! Students will be actively assisted by the American Studies Office at the University of Wales at Swansea in course selection and internship arrangements. Dr. Comeaux will teach the honors seminar (Topic:  “Understanding Dylan Thomas’ Influence in Wales” ) and will arrange field trips, social gatherings, and other events.

Internship: Internships will be arranged in an area of the student's choice. Some examples are Swansea City Council, BBC Radio, Magistrate Court, the local Archaeological Trust, county environmental protection agency, museums, schools, and financial establishments.

Housing: Students will live with British students in the Hendrefoilan Student Village, an apartment style living arrangement.

Schedule Spring 2009:

Arrival: approximately January 9, 2009

Internship: approximately January 14-24, 2009

Classes start:  approximately January 23, 2009

Easter vacation: approximately March 20- April 19 (free time to travel on your own- A full 4 weeks.)

Semester ends (departure date): approximately June 9, 2009

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Costs and Application: Approximately $8500 for Spring 2009. The cost includes tuition and fees, internship placement and supervision, accommodations, study abroad health insurance, orientation, local bus pass, and scheduled field trips. Not included are airfare, meals, and books (estimate an additional $3500 in living expenses).

Application deadline: September 30 with an internship OR October 15 without internship (and with London or Swansea Pre-Sessional)

The first deposit of $200 (non-refundable) is due with the completed application October 15. The rest of the payment may be made in installments - early November and early December. (Late applications will be accepted with a $40 late fee on a "space available" basis.)

Applications may be requested from the Office of International Programs, UNCW, Wilmington NC 28403-5965.  E-mail: pikek@uncw.edu or see Dr Comeaux, LH 220 (email: comeauxp@uncw.edu )

Join us for the limited number of spaces on this unique opportunity to live and study in the UK. More information about the program, links to UWS, and pictures of UWS, Swansea, and Wales are available at this websites:

Swansea University Site, with information specific to studying abroad

Power Point Presentation About Swansea 

Please feel free to contact the following people with any questions.

Dr. Patricia Comeaux (comeauxp@uncw.edu), Faculty Director for Spring 2009

Mark Gallovic, Director of Education Abroad (gallovicm@uncw.edu,)

Kara Pike, Assistant Director of  Education Abroad (pikek@uncw.edu )

Swansea  Australia  Netherlands  Austria  Spain  Italy

For a complete listing of all the programs available to you, visit the Office of International Programs website or on campus in Westside Hall.