Southwest Wales has been an important cornerstone in Welsh history and culture over many centuries and its influence is still great today. As a main tourist area, there's plenty to enjoy. From the bustle of town life to the quiet tranquility of the countryside and breathtaking beauty of its sandy beaches, southwest Wales offer the opportunity for a diverse and varied lifestyle. Welsh is still spoken widely in this region. Located on the River Tywi, Carmarthen is a commercial centre of nearly 20,000 people at the heart of a large and thriving area. A market town, it has a good mix of traditional and modern shopping, leisure facilities and nightlife.
In Fall 2008, Hobart and William Smith Colleges established an affiliation with Trinity College in Wales. Founded in 1848, Trinity has a student population of 2,200, mostly from southern Wales but also from other regions of Britain, Western Europe and the U.S. Trinity College is known for its commitment to community engagement and this commitment permeates its innovative curriculum. HWS students will have the opportunity to live and take classes alongside Welsh and international classmates. To facilitate engagement with the local community, all students must participate in an academic or extracurricular immersion experience; this may include a credit-bearing internship, a school practicum, or a service-learning project. Many Trinity college courses include such components and can be used to fulfill this requirement.
Students who participate in this program can select courses in a variety of academic areas, including but not limited to: community development, computer science, creative writing, education, English, media studies, psychology, religion, sociology, studio art, and theatre. The standard course load is comprised of three Trinity course modules, for which students will receive 4 HWS credits. Two of the course modules are normally in the student's major field with the other being in an elective area. All courses are taught by Trinity College faculty. As liberal arts colleges, HWS by policy does not award credit for courses in the areas of outdoor recreational pursuits, business or health and exercise. For specific information about courses and the program, please consult the Trinity website for international students at http://www.trinity-cm.ac.uk/english/prospectus/ug/academic.asp or stop by the CGE.
Due to the wide range of courses offered through Trinity this program can accommodate students from a variety of disciplines. It will be of particular interest to those studying studio art, education, English literature, sociology and psychology, theatre, media and creative writing.
This program is open to second semester sophomores, juniors and seniors in good academic and social standing with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Due to the challenging nature of study abroad, student academic and disciplinary records will be carefully screened.
Students reside in residence halls administered by Trinity College. A typical residence provides fully-furnished single rooms in attractive settings. Students may select a meal plan that provides two meals per day during the week. Meals also may be prepared in the residences.
Trinity College offers HWS students a full package of excursions and cultural expeditions designed to let you experience the unique beauty and heritage of Wales. Some local activities include seal-spotting off the Welsh coast and climbing Llansteffan Castle, while more distant destinations for excursions may include Cardiff, Bath and London. All the excursions offered in the Cultural Program are included in the basic tuition. In addition, for an extra fee, students may opt to participate in guided "outdoor adventure" experiences such as kayaking, orienteering, mountain climbing and the like.
Students will be charged standard HWS tuition and a $500 administrative fee. This will cover credit for a four course semester, airport arrival services, orientation program and excursions. Note that no room or board charge is included. Students will pay room fees directly to Trinity College and they should bring their own board fee to cover meals. While food expenses will vary according to individual tastes, we estimate that about $1,800 should be sufficient for students who prepare their own meals. Costs for both room and board will be higher in the Spring due to the longer semester. Additional expenses not covered include airfare, books, visa, and personal expenses (laundry, entertainment, ground transportation and independent travel). We estimate airfare for this program at $700-$800 from the East Coast (and an additional $75 for a train to Carmarthen), books at $250 and visa at $220. It is difficult to give an accurate estimate of student expenses because student spending habits differ considerably. We would suggest a minimum of $1,500 above and beyond room and board charges. However, students on a tight budget should be able to manage with less. If you are concerned about finances, we strongly encourage you to talk to the CGE staff who can offer information and advice based on your specific situation.
NOTE: The information contained in this brochure is subject to change. Please see the CGE for more information.
