From Wisconsin to West Cross

Emily Czarnik-Neimeyer is a 21-year-old student from Appleton, Wisconsin in the USA. She has been in Swansea, studying for a degree in Sociology and Women's and Gender studies, since the start of September and will leave just before Christmas.

Emily researched universities in the UK for more than a year before choosing Swansea. Part of the reason was the location - coming from a landlocked and relatively flat state in America, she fell in love with the hills, coastline and natural beauty of the Swansea area.

Scenic "studying"

Since arriving in Swansea, she's visited some of the scenic sights on her doorstep - like Mumbles and Gower - but Emily has also joined the university's hiking club and has gone hiking with them to the Neath Valley, Usk and the Peak District.

"Every day I am amazed at the natural beauty of Wales - I love it! The uni Hiking Club has been an excellent, inexpensive way for me to hike all over beautiful areas of Wales and to meet great people!"

Being from an area of America with a lot of countryside, there is a city farmer's market back home in Wisconsin - so how does our own Swansea market compare? "I love all of the gifts and fresh foods available at the Swansea market! It's such a refreshing place to shop and to hang out with people. When my mom visited me here, we had a great chat with an older Welsh couple while drinking coffee in the indoor market. It was wonderful to chat with them about my time and studies at the uni and about their lives growing up in Wales."

Accent on language and non-tourism

Throwing herself into the culture, Emily has also learned a few Welsh words that have helped her get by. "Most of the time I can understand people here. However, there have been times when accents are very Welsh and I cannot wholly understand some people's words during conversation!"

Emily is currently a volunteer with the student volunteer organisation 'Discovery' and has been involved in activities such as creating a duck pond at Swansea Community Farm. She commented on why she wanted to get involved with volunteering and life in the community:

"I don't just want to be a tourist. I want to immerse myself in the community and get involved, which I believe is so important to living in a new location and culture."

So is she missing anything from America? "Not really, but I have discovered new things here. Like your blackcurrent [squash] - we don't have that at home in Wisconsin, and I love it! I've also tried your fish and chips, which were great, though I was a bit surprised when they gave them to me wrapped up in paper!"

Adjusting to living in Swansea has been helped by the support of the Students' Union President, Owen Morgan, who has been a reliable support to Emily during her relocation.

"Owen has been a wonderful source of local knowledge and assistance during my time here in Swansea! He is always happy and willing to help out the American students and to hang out with us on and off campus."

Rugby and chips!

One part of the Welsh culture that Emily has found hard to avoid is the passion for rugby - as she arrived at the start of the World Cup! Though more of a fan of basketball back home in America, Emily got into the spirit and watched the Welsh matches over at her Welsh friend's house.

"The spirit and dedication of rugby is awesome and really gets me into the game. Some parts of rugby are comparable to American football, and the Welsh friends who I watch games with are very helpful in explaining the differences and what is going on."

Although she says that staying in touch with family at home is relatively easy due to e-mail and regular phones calls, Emily did have a week-long visit from her mother in late October.

The visit was a wonderful way for Emily's mum to actually experience life in Swansea instead of just receiving e-mailed pictures and descriptions. It has also helped that Emily's uncle, from Minnesota, actually came to study at Trinity College, Carmarthen, years ago.

"It has been great to talk with my uncle about each of our experiences studying abroad in Wales and to share a common passion for Welsh people and culture. For instance, we have both gone on brief trips to Mumbles and Llanelli and had a lot of fun!"

And if you'd like to read the views of Ethiopian student Bereket you just need to click here.

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