What our students say
Jessica Ledbetter
MA Creative Writing 2009
I have to admit, I’d only heard about Wales in passing before I applied to Trinity College. My fascination with the United Kingdom always seemed to veer towards England (mainly London and Nottingham; good old Harry Potter and Robin Hood) or Scotland (who could pass up on some hot tempered clans?) But when the economy crashed, I found myself at a crossroads: I was about to lose my job due to lack of funds and Los Angeles had literally fallen to its knees. Work was almost nonexistent and rent prices were increasing. So instead of “sticking it out” and being poor and miserable for a few years, I went with plan B and applied for graduate school. I was intrigued and quite pleased when I stumbled over an advertisement for Trinity College in Carmarthen, Wales.
The big draw at first was the program: Come and study with the famous welsh poet Menna Elfyn! It promised small classes, a unique environment and it fulfilled a life long dream of mine to live in the UK. The second bonus point about Trinity was the submission deadline: even though it was January and all the other MA Creative Writing courses had closed their doors for that year, Trinity was willing to take my application. When the acceptance letter arrived not a month later, my joy had to be secretly exclaimed in the back room, as shouting was frowned upon in my office building. By that time though, I knew everything Wikepedia and the local websites could tell me about Carmarthen, and was finding that more people knew about Wales than I’d suspected.
The college made it extremely easy to settle into my new life, some nine thousand or so miles away from sunny Los Angeles. The town was small, quaint, and had a feel about it that welcomed outsiders. The Welsh language was a surprise; I’d read about it, certainly, but had assumed it was like the Irish in Ireland: a present language, but sort of resented and suppressed. But walking the streets in town square or shopping the aisles of the local Tescoes, I would overhear everyday people having full conversations in Welsh- and caught myself a couple of times staring, so fascinated was I by this. Way out in West Wales, Carmarthen has a high percentage of native Welsh speakers- my course director, Menna Elfyn, speaks Welsh as her first language and writes all of her poetry in Welsh. It’s a difficult language to learn because it sounds like nothing we have in the states- Spanish, English, even French and German can’t compare.
My program turned out to be everything you could hope for in an MA Creative Writing course: ten people per lecture, a dedicated staff of experienced and multiple-times-published writers, a variety of topics and discussion points, not to mention dedicated workshop time and personal tutorials anytime I wanted them. I was allowed the freedom to explore my own interests, read my own authors, and find my own inspiration throughout Wales. And let me tell you, inspiration was everywhere, from the sheep in the fields, to the wildly tangled forests to the people and their strong national pride.
The campus of Trinity is perfect too; small, with a mixture of more recent buildings and the old church that has been here since the college’s beginnings. The students at Trinity help make the atmosphere easy and welcoming; everybody talks to everybody and you quickly learn faces if not all the names. The Student Union is a great hang out spot with a bar and a dance club, not to mention free sausage and chips during rugby games. The dorms were fantastic and more like an apartment shared by 8 friends than assigned living. I had my own room and my own bathroom which was unbelievable to me when I first opened the door and despite the legend of only cloudy skies, I was extremely pleased to find that I had sunshine streaming through my window more often than not.
My time in Wales has certainly changed who I am and what I believe. I couldn’t have asked for a better exchange experience nor better people to spend the year with. We see the news and read the papers but I don’t think we can ever truly understand the world or the other people in it until we have immersed ourselves in their culture, their country, and their lives. I like to think I am a better person because of this experience; not only am I more willing to adapt to the situations around me, I’m more willing to try new things and talk to new people. The course itself has made me a better writer and has seen me published not once, but twice! It has allowed my writing to progress and blossom so that when I return to the United States, I’m confident to try my hand in the US markets too.
Trinity College is a gem almost hidden away in the Welsh hills and I feel like I’ve found the treasure after my time here. I would recommend anybody thinking about doing a study abroad program to go for it. The whole wide world awaits us out there if we’re only brave enough to take it!
Chelsea Smith - Rio Grande exchange student 08
On Early Years at Trinity
I am thankful to you for allowing me to participate in your program. Now, returning to my course here at Rio Grande, I am sharing the experiences that I had the opportunity to have at Trinity, especially in the Early Years course. My classmates and professors are curious about my experience and "the way things work over there". In fact, for a particular class, I am presenting the Early Years program as I experienced it at Trinity with you as well as the Welsh education system in general. I will be comparing and contrasting the differences I have observed between Welsh and American education.
I already have most of the information I need to do this. (By the way, the School of Early Years Education information pages on Trinity's website has been very helpful and full of information for my project.) I also noticed the photos posted on these sites of our outings to Trysordy and the coast. These are great and I wish to use them for my project.
Georgiana Morgan - Hobart and William Smith Colleges in New York State
Georgiana Morgan was one of the first students to join Trinity's Study Abroad Program from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in New York State. Here Georgiana gives an account of her time at Trinity... My Study Abroad Experience
Mallory McComas
3rd year college student (junior)
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
North Carolina, USA
“Trinity is beautiful. I love the campus, the trees, the surrounding hills, town just down the road, and the fact that there's a chapel on campus. I'm always admiring the artwork on the walls and taking pictures wherever I go. And the people here make the experience even better. Whether students or staff, I have encountered more friendly people here in this small town than I have in 3 states back home.
I also greatly enjoy my course. I think the Religious Studies department is absolutely fantastic- the lecturers are knowledgeable and fun, professional yet very open and personable. There are courses offered here that had me itching to get over here and take them. And I have not been disappointed. My fellow students are amazing. One of my absolutely favorite parts of my experience at Trinity was going to the conference at Gregynog with the whole School of Theology and Religious Studies. I was able to meet and interact with my schoolmates and lecturers and study what I love to study in a beautiful manor house. It was a fabulous two days.
I also really enjoy the union, I love the concept of it and I wish that colleges in the US would implement it! It is so much fun to have a place right on campus to go out and dance with friends. It's the perfect entertainment- awesome music, dancing, friends, and drinks if you wish.”
Beatrice Morgan - Middleport , Ohio
Courses at Trinity: Outdoor pursuits, Aspects of Modern British History, Reading the renaissance, Critical and cultural theory, Modernism
“Studying here in Wales has been such a rewarding experience. I’ve met some wonderful people and done some incredible things. The Outdoor Pursuits programme for one, has been on of the highlights of my experience here. Caving, Kayaking, Climbing . . . I’ve done so many things during my studies here that I never imagined I would do”.
Studying at Rio Grande University ( Major: English ; Minor: Welsh Studies)
Hiroko Yamada - Japan
MA Educational Drama
“concerning my course, the modules, resources (library) and the professors are great. I am really enjoying my studying here. For Japanese students there are English Support lessons, IT preparation and a personal tutor to help our study. These are very helpful. I had many opportunities to go to the Primary and Secondary Schools to observe lessons which are arranged by the tutor and professor. These experiences are fascinating because I wouldn’t have these chances in Japan. Also these observations help me to understand the content of the modules I have studied.
I have had a lot of unforgettable experiences with new friends from all over the world. I am sure the decision that I chose Trinity College was wonderful. I especially recommend my course and the practical lessons. For students who want to study it is one of the best choices”.
Lana Wilson - Canada 2007
PGCE Graduate
"Going to Teacher's College in Wales has been a culturally enriching experience. Trinity College fosters an extremely inclusive environment and the staff are extremely supportive to their students. The opportunity to attend Trinity College has afforded me the ability to travel and meet people while accomplishing academic pursuits. The practical classroom teaching experience amounts to 90 days in the PGCE programme at Trinity College in contrast to Canadian institutions that I am familiar with that offer 45 days. As well, the tutor from the College is interegal in the mentoring process and is a great support throughout your practical classroom teaching experience."
Ruomeng Zhang - China
Foundation Programme Graduate 2007
‘I really gained a lot from the classes, such as British media, British education, British social life style and so on. I think all the staff in Trinity are very kind, especially my tutor and international office staff, you are really kind and helped me a lot. The staff always talked to me and helped me to deal with all my problems! I was happy and enjoyed living in Trinity, I give all my best wishes to you, I hope Trinity will have more and more International students. Also, maybe we can meet again in somewhere, or even in China! Thank you very much, Best wishes, Ruomeng’
Miguel Pena - Barbados
MA Heritage Tourism 2004-05
My time at Trinity College has been an interesting and character building experience. Not only did I have to adjust to living on my own for the first time but also I had to get used to the idea of being four thousand miles away from home in Wales. Carmarthen and Wales are as different from my Caribbean island, Barbados, as you can get. For one, the weather which can give you a taste of all four seasons in a single day took some getting used to but eventually I have become accustomed to it and it has “grown on me”. Living in a bilingual community was also extremely interesting. It is wonderful to listen to someone carry on a conversation in Welsh and English simultaneously and still include you in the conversation! Although the weather and the language were a culture shock, I have settled-in quite well. The ease with which I have settled-in has been due to the staff at the College; the great people at the International Students Office; Kath Adnum who has always gone the extra mile to keep all of the international students informed and indeed entertained; the library staff and the porters who have all been very accommodating. In my own programme my lecturers have been there always to give the necessary advice and support that I have needed as a postgraduate student.
Trinity can truly claim to be a microcosm of the world, a real global village, as in the months that I have been here I have had the privilege of meeting and befriending students from countries such as Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, South Korea and Austria. These are people whom I will never forget. Trinity has truly been an experience of a lifetime.’
Lydiah Nyagi - Kenya
BA Christianity and Community Studies
“Carmarthen is a beautiful town and the people are very friendly from the taxi driver to the Principal here at Trinity College. Just being here at Carmarthen is a memorable experience that has enriched my life and opened up my mind to new perceptions. I am glad I came to Trinity College. I have no regrets at all and would encourage anyone from my country looking for a university to study at abroad to consider studying at Trinity College, a home away from home”
Dianna Wise - Canada
MA Creative Writing 2004-2005
‘When I first arrived in Carmarthen I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect. I come from quite a large Canadian city and the idea of moving to a small town for my MA was both intriguing and daunting. I was excited for the new experience that studying in another country had to offer: making new friends, learning about new and different cultures and the ability to travel throughout Wales and the UK, as well as nearby European countries. Of course I was also excited to be completing my MA in Creative Writing. Living on campus at Trinity has been both a pleasant and interesting experience. Never before have I had to live in a flat with so many roommates. Before I moved in I wasn’t sure what to expect. But as it turns out I’ve made some great friends that I may never have met otherwise.
The MA in Creative Writing course has turned out to be quite the experience. The workshops have been a place for the students to grow comfortable in submitting and discussing their work, while the lecturers have given us further knowledge of the different types and styles of writing. Aside from the classes I have also been privileged to be able to work on the class anthology which launched in May.
I have enjoyed my time at Trinity, the experience the college and my MA course has had to offer, and as the end of the year approaches, even with the work load that seems never ending, I see this time in my life as one of the best.’