Tales from Abroad

Dear UNI Students,

Hull, England is a very unpredictable place to be,
first of all because climate can change from one day
to another. It could either be very cool or rainy and than cloudy and sunny all in the same week. 

It is really diverse in where you meet people from all over the world and constantly sharing wonderful meals with household and meeting people in ISA gatherings. The climate is the number one factor that I have had to deal with knowing that each day you might be caught in a rainy day or just maybe wake up one day and be glad that you see the sun shinning. 

The faculty and staff has been so caring to me and I have felted very comfortable with the way I have been treated here. I am glad I chose Hull, England because it gave me a great opportunity to know more about different cultures and customs and that is what has made an impact in my study abroad experience. 

Cheers, 
Janet Ramirez
Hull, England

"The bus system gets us everywhere we need, and is relatively easy to figure out. So far (today is only the second day of class) the pre-sessional [course] is very laid-back, the professors are being very good about "easing" us into student life and telling us about about future opportunities for trips, clubs, etc. We have already been on a trip to the Gower Peninsula, which was just beautiful, and tomorrow is a trip to a coal mine. One word of advice for prospective students - expect rain, but don't let it stop you from doing anything you have planned. It's rained half the time we've been here, and we can definitely tell a difference in our moods/morale when the sun is out, but it's all part of the experience I am sure." 9/9/02

Kim Mercer, English major Spanish minor
University of Wales Swansea - Swansea, United Kingdom

"This was a life changing experience for me. The best semester of my life! The people I met (Americans, French, Welsh, English and Australians) were so much fun and never turned down a chance to go to the pub. The night life was amazing --nothing like Iowa! Traveling is really easy in Europe; I went to London (almost every other weekend), Paris, Amsterdam, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Scotland, and all over England. I learned so much that I could have never learned from a text book. It's crazy seeing magazines and TV. programs of places that I have been to. The culture and scenery of Wales is beautiful. The ocean is right across from the library and there are 2 pubs ON CAMPUS!!! There's nothing like a Welsh guy (bloke), I didn't meet one who acted over 12 years old! If you go take an umbrella!!! It's hard coming back, but it's awesome e-mailing all my friends from all over the world. I am definitely going back someday soon!"

Melanie Brewer, Elementary and Middle Level Education Major
Iowa Regents Program in Wales at the University of Swansea, Wales (U.K.)

"Studying in Wales made me more aware of my surroundings and the people associate with. It opened my eyes up to the fact that the world has much more to offer than the customs and culture in the United States. After completing the experience I am now much more accepting of different cultures and customs that are not readily available to U.S. citizens."

Alan Drury, Criminology Major, Spanish Minor
The Iowa Regents Program in Wales at the University of Swansea, Wales (U.K.)