Rebecca Jauregui, from Los Baños in California, studies theatre arts at California State University, Fullerton and decided to choose Wales as the place to study abroad for a semester after receiving a Gilman scholarship.
Her decision to study abroad stemmed from a desire to broaden her educational and cultural perspectives. The University of Wales Trinity St David (UWTSD) was an attractive option due to its specialized theatre programme and the strong exchange relationship with her home institution.
When it comes to teaching style, Rebecca thinks that the biggest difference was the class structure. In the US, college students are accustomed to taking six modules in one semester but at UWTSD, she only took three which helped her and her classmates focus more thoroughly and allowed for deeper engagement with each subject. Rebecca also appreciates the personalized attention and compassion from her tutors, which contrasts with the larger class sizes and more impersonal interactions with her tutors in the US. She says: “I felt extremely safe and taken care of. My professors here genuinely cared about my needs and concerns.”
In addition to her education, Rebecca found the time to discover much of the natural beauty Wales has to offer: “I made sure to travel and explore at least once a week. I went to as many castles as possible, though it was sometimes a bit tough with the wet weather. My favourite castle was Kidwelly.” She was also able to take full advantage of Wales’ proximity to other European countries: “I love to travel. As well as exploring Wales, I have visited London, Cambridge, and Stonehenge. And after exploring a bit of the UK, I got the traveller’s bug and went to Rome, Milan, Lake Como, Genova, Paris, and Barcelona.”
Her experiences have significantly contributed to Rebecca’s personal growth, learning to overcome language barriers, and embrace cultural differences. She says: “Studying abroad has made me the most independent I have ever been in my life. I learned that with preparation and patience, anything is possible.” This newfound independence and confidence will be invaluable for her future international endeavours, including potential career opportunities abroad.
“Wales may not be the first destination on your bucket list, but it is a hidden gem for an affordable study abroad option and its proximity to mainland Europe. Wales granted me my lifelong wish to study abroad and complete over half the items on my bucket list."
It may sound cliché, but Wales changed me for the better.
