Launched in 2012, the Swansea-Texas A&M student exchange scheme sees students from Medical, Chemical and Environmental Engineering at Swansea spend their autumn term studying in Texas, with students from Texas A&M coming to Swansea in the spring.

The exchange forms part of a burgeoning partnership between Swansea and Texas which also includes research collaboration, knowledge transfer, sharing of infrastructure and the exchange of academic staff.

Pictured at Swansea University: Texas A&M students (l-r) Dani Cao, Alli Sitton, Taj Shah, Rebecca Sehnert

Dr Raoul van Loon, who manages the exchange programme in the College of Engineering, said:

“I have been delighted to welcome these students to Swansea.  Students who participate in the exchange programme benefit from the academic expertise of two outstanding academic institutions and get to experience life in another country.

“Students who have been on the programme tell us what a fantastic experience it has been and one even returned to Swansea after they graduated to pursue a postgraduate degree with us. I hope that our current group of students is enjoying all that Swansea and the University has to offer.”

This year’s group of students have already begun to attend classes at Swansea, but are also making the most of the opportunities that the exchange offers outside the classroom.   

Alli Sitton from Houston said:

“An exchange like this is the chance of a lifetime – I’ve been to the UK before but never to Wales.  The people here are really nice, plus I’ll get the chance to travel to places like Germany and Italy."

Dani Cao from Dallas said:

"I like the fact that you see lots of people out and about and everything is easily accessible – plus I love the cute little shops!  It’s so great to experience something different."

Rebecca Sehnert from Sulphur Springs said:

"Already I’ve learned so much, just by being in a different country.   I loved Mumbles, especially Oystermouth Castle, which was the first castle I’d ever seen."  

Taj Shah from Houston said:

"It’s been great to meet people from all around the world, from Brazilians to Australians!   I’m also hoping to get to watch Swansea City in the Premier League."

Swansea University encourages students to study abroad for part of their degree. Swansea students wishing to study for a year or a semester outside Europe can now benefit from a £1000 travel bursary from the University’s International Development Office.

Picture:  Gig em Ags!  The students flying the flag in Swansea for their home university, Texas A&M, nicknamed the Aggies, with the traditional A&M thumbs-up!