Outstanding American students visit Bangor University to study Welsh culture and industrial heritage

Bangor University is delighted to be hosting eight of the USA’s brightest students  as they study Wales’ culture, history, politics and landscape at a pioneering new Summer Institute.

Bangor University has been appointed by one of the most prestigious US-UK educational organisations, the Fulbright Commission to run the first Wales Fulbright Summer Institute, along with Cardiff and Aberystwyth universities.

American undergraduates are spending two weeks at Bangor University between 9-23 July, studying Wales’ industrial heritage. The students were competitively selected from Universities spanning the USA, from Seattle to South Florida.

While at Bangor, the students will study the events, places and people that have shaped Wales, and the crucial influence industry has had on all of them. They will explore the impact of such industries as tourism, slate mining and highland agriculture, and how a small nation can maintain its identity in a global era.

Each section of the course involves academic coursework, cultural events and visits to historic sites in order to experience and gain an understanding of the distinctive regions of Wales. Each University has appointed a Course Director to lead their element of the programme.

Tecwyn Vaughan Jones, the Course Director for Bangor University’s contribution said:

“Wales will certainly be on the map for these highly talented students. When they return to the US they will take with them a greater insight and understanding of the way industry has shaped the culture, history, politics and landscape of our country. We are delighted to have been able to host such a bright group of individuals on this prestigious Fulbright Commission Summer Institute .”

The Fulbright Commission has been promoting peace and cultural understanding through educational scholarships for more than 60 years. The Summer Institutes are a new initiative, designed to introduce students to the United Kingdom, while also developing and encouraging leadership.

Publication date: 8 July 2011