Fulbright students welcomed to Wales

Eight talented US students have been welcomed to Wales to study the nation's culture, history, politics and landscape.

The undergraduates, from universities across the US, will explore the geography, culture, heritage and history of Wales, visiting museums, galleries and tourism landmarks to gain insight into economic and social change.

They will meet UK, Welsh and international students from a wide range of backgrounds, and experience the distinctive regions of Wales and its people.

Hosted by Cardiff, Bangor and Aberystwyth Universities, the fourth Wales Fulbright Summer Institute carries credits towards the students' final degree.

Course Director for the Cardiff University section, Professor Bill Jones of the University's School of History, Archaeology and Religion, said: "The return of the Wales Fulbright Summer Institute reflects the quality of our teaching and research. We are welcoming outstanding students from major US universities, who bring fresh insights into our history, geography, language and culture."

The six-week course will involve the internationally-recognised research and teaching specialisms of all three Universities. In the initial two weeks at Cardiff, students will study economic and industrial change in South Wales over the past three centuries. Highlights include a tour of the Big Pit at Blaenavon and of the Cardiff coast on the University survey vessel, Guiding Light. At Bangor, the students will explore how, in a rapidly globalising world, a small nation upholds its identity, traditions, culture and language. And at Aberystwyth University, the undergraduates will look at the changing economic and social issues of central Wales.

The Fulbright Commission has been promoting peace and cultural understanding through educational scholarships for more than 60 years. The Summer Institutes are designed to introduce students to the UK while developing their academic and leadership skills.

Cardiff hosts the participants for the first two weeks of a six week stay, which incorporates a fortnight's study at both Bangor and Aberystwyth Universities.

The students are (l-r):

Jacqueline Welsh, Arizona State University
Paige Balcom, University of New Hampshire
Roberto Roldan, University of South Florida
Emily Schebler, Ball State University
Kiersten Kuc, University of Missouri-Columbia
Matthew Waskiewicz, American University
Kelly Allen, Arizona State University
Nathaneal Thomas, United States Military Academy at West Point

Some of the students have set up blogs to share their experiences of the Fulbright Summer Institute:

Emily Schebler: My Welsh Adventure
Jacqueline Welsh: Letters from Wales
Matthew Waskiewicz: Finding Wales
Roberto Roldan: A Bull Abroad