By Dr Eleni Koutsogeorgou-Andreou
Monday, June 5, 2023
On 1st June 2023, we visited the UWTSD’s IQ Waterfront Swansea campus in Wales, with 31 students from two programmes: BSc Health and Social Care and MSc Public Health and Social Care in Practice (London campus). This visit was an extracurricular activity and attendance on it was optional for students. Students and staff outside the UWTSD’s IQ Waterfront Swansea campus. The aim of the day was to provide an overview of Health and Social Care in devolved Wales. Students had the opportunity to learn more about health and social care in Wales through a series of sessions, and cultural and practical activities, including Twmpath (Welsh folk dancing) and a First Aid workshop. Attendees also enjoyed traditional refreshments of Welsh cakes and bara brith.
Twmpath Welsh Dance workshop
Students in a First Aid workshop
The students who attended this visit wrote the following:
Quotes from students:
The trip to Wales was pretty much an experience, brilliant. I enjoyed every bit of it. I gained more knowledge about social prescribing, loved the food, and the Welsh dance 💃. I'm glad I was able to attend. Thank you to the team and lecturers who put the trip together.
– MSc Public Health and Social Care in Practice student
A friendly visit of students and professors of UWTSD London Campus to UWTSD in Swansea partially satisfied my curiosity about where the UWTSD London Campus, where I study, has its roots. It would be interesting to see UWTSD in other places as well to get a more complete picture. Visit was very useful because it broadened my knowledge about the University and about Wales in general.
The warm welcome of the hosts and their creative organization of the educational and entertainment program exceeded my expectations. Since the hosts have also shown interest in further cooperation, it would be good to develop and continue in the future. It was also nice to meet other students from our campus in a relax mood.
All in all, thanks to organisers of the UWTSD London Campus on this trip, that will stay in our remembering.
– BSc Health and Social Care, Level 6 Term 2 student
A huge thank you for the opportunity to visit a campus in Wales. The trip itself brought back some memories from my teenage years to be honest. I had a lovely time, met new people, learned new things about the history of health and social care in Wales, and I had a great time learning a traditional Welsh dance. Thank you very much for organising.
– BSc Health and Social Care, Level 5 Term 2 student
We are looking forward to organising more visits and events for students to similar locations, to enhance the knowledge of students on the practice and policies of public health, and health and social care practice in other parts of the UK, as well as to encourage experiences of cultural and bonding activities across student groups and University campuses.
Note: This initiative was part of the UWTSD's Students' Experience Enhancement Fund (SEEF).