University of Wisconsin–Madison

Wales: Sophia Myshchyshyn

Program: Cardiff University, Spring

Sophia’s Major: English

Sophia standing above a calm bay of water. Buildings and a beach are at a distance behind her.
Standing in front of Tenby, Wales, a hidden gem. It is the UK’s Italy with brightly colored houses and aqua water.

What is your most memorable experience from your program?

The most memorable experience from studying in Wales was learning about the Welsh culture. I took courses that were about Welsh history, culture, and literature which I had not past experience with. It was very interesting learning about the Welsh resistance of English rule as well as all the Celtic myths. I would definitely recommend taking at least one Welsh course because it really enhances how I saw Wales as it’s own unique place when compared to England and Scotland which are much more well known.

How were your program academics similar or different from taking classes at UW-Madison?

The academics were different than at UW-Madison because there was a lot less class time and exams/papers were most of the grade. My classes only met once or twice a week leaving a lot of extra time. This was both a good and a bad thing because I had time to do my work, but also because most of the work is independent it was also easy to fall behind. The final exam or paper was usually worth 70-100% so while the course work wasn’t graded it was better to do it all because it made the exams/papers easier. My advice would be to keep up with the work because even though most of it doesn’t effect your grade it makes the final less work.

The university has a great student union and I highly recommend getting involved with it.

Sophia and another invidiual, both bundled in coats, hats, and gloves while posing on a steep hill, high above the ocean. A rocky strip of land cuts through the water behind them.
Hiking Worms Head in Rhossili, Wales during low tide.

What is your advice for someone considering your program?

The university has a great student union and I highly recommend getting involved with it. They have a great program called Give It a Go which takes students on trips around the UK and is very budget friendly. It is a great way to make connections while seeing the UK.

What is a custom, food or tradition from your host country that you are taking forward?

The food that I am taking forward is Welsh cakes. They are really delicious and very easy to make. As for the custom that I will be taking forward is going for a stroll after a meal. It is a really simple custom, but I really enjoyed it. Not only was it nice to go for a walk to take life slowly, but it also helped with processing the food. I will definitely continue doing it.