Brightest and best US students

Eight of America's most talented students have arrived at the University for the start of an all-Wales educational programme.

The third Wales Fulbright Summer Institute is jointly run by Cardiff, Bangor and Aberystwyth universities in partnership with the Fulbright Commission and introduces some of America's brightest and best students to the language, culture and history of Wales.

Over six weeks, the students will travel the country, spending two weeks at each university, meeting people and visiting some of the key locations which have made Wales such a diverse and distinctive country.

The theme of this year's event is Wales: Economy, Culture, Politics and Change. At Cardiff, the emphasis will be on two distinct regions – the South Wales Valleys and the coastal ports and the impact of industrial and economic change in these areas.

The programme at Cardiff is led by Professor Bill Jones of the School of History, Archaeology and Religion along with staff from the Schools of Welsh and Earth and Environmental Sciences. It includes lectures, site visits, experimental learning and social events, which are designed to help the scholars find out about the nature of economic and political change in South Wales during the past three centuries and consider questions about Welsh culture, identity and the Welsh language.

Sandra Elliott, Director, Communication and International Relations Division said: "Exchange programmes like the Wales Fulbright Summer Institute introduce outstanding American students from major universities to Cardiff, Wales and the UK. There are significant cultural and economic benefits associated with the Institute, including attracting US students to Wales to study and building relationships with the scholars – many of whom go on to be world-leaders in their particular field."

Following their two weeks in Cardiff the students will visit Bangor University where they will explore how a small nation upholds its identity, traditions, culture and language in a rapidly globalising world, and Aberystwyth University, where the Programme will consider the dynamics of rural relationships which dominate the region.

The US-UK Fulbright Commission has been promoting peace and cultural understanding through educational exchange for over 60 years. Four years ago, Fulbright set about developing Special Summer Programmes. These summer programmes provide the opportunity for US undergraduates to come to the UK on a short academic and cultural summer programme.