UWTSD Outdoor Adventure Students Inspire and Support Visiting International Cohort Before Taking Next Step Abroad
Students on the BA (Hons) Outdoor Adventure Education programme at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) used their skills beyond the classroom to support visiting students from Hobart and William Smith Colleges (HWS) as they settled into life on campus and in Wales during the recent annual Summer Programme.
The programme is part of a long-standing partnership between UWTSD and Hobart and William Smith Colleges in New York State, which has connected students from both sides of the Atlantic through outdoor adventure, leadership development and experiential learning for more than 15 years.
Set against the backdrop of Wales’ world-renowned landscapes, the three-week programme encourages participants to embrace the natural environment, disconnect from digital distractions, and develop a stronger sense of place and personal responsibility. Activities include campus-based team-building sessions, hikes to Pen y Fan and Snowdon, canoeing on the river Teifi , and day trips to the Gower Peninsula.
The HWS Summer Programme was established in 2011 by Graham Harvey, now Programme Manager for UWTSD’s BA (Hons) Outdoor Adventure Education programme. Since 2013, the programme has been led by Senior Technician and Tutor Tom Moore who describes the initiative as a powerful demonstration of the transformative impact of outdoor adventure education. He said:
“Welcoming students from HWS to Wales was a privilege, and UWTSD was thrilled to celebrate a partnership that had flourished over the previous 15 years. Since the programme’s inception, the collaboration between the two institutions had provided countless students with transformative opportunities to learn, grow and connect through shared outdoor adventure experiences.
“This programme truly is a real-world manifestation of these teachings: bringing together a group of vaguely acquainted individuals, challenging them daily to identify, embrace and challenge their fears. Expanding abilities, knowledge and understanding, of not only themselves but also of others around them. Embracing the natural world– of which there are few better places to do so than here in Wales – promoting digital detoxing, developing a sense of place, harbouring life’s challenges, all of which fosters an almost tangible development of personal growth, resilience and independence, as well as, compassion, empathy and comradery with the once strangers they now call best friends for life!”
Tom describes the HWS Summer Programme as the highlight of his year.
“It brings together individuals who may only know each other in passing and challenges them to step beyond their comfort zones.”
David Mapstone, Associate Dean at Hobart and William Smith College, said:
“Hobart and William Smith College is so thrilled to have developed a partnership with UWTSD over the course of the last 15 years. Our students are looking for a meaningful cultural immersion experience within the context of exploring outdoor pursuits. What they actually come away with is much more than that. They learn about the rich culture and history of Wales; they learn about the natural world around them and the restorative effects nature can have on their well-being; they learn about themselves as leaders, followers, risk takers; they learn to overcome fears and find strength in themselves and lean on their classmates.
“UWTSD are the ideal partners for HWS for two reasons: people and place. The people of Wales and Carmarthen are incredibly gracious and welcoming; they provide a wonderful opportunity for our students to engage in the culture, heritage and language that makes Wales so special. The staff and faculty at the university are committed to nurturing this partnership and have the skills and expertise needed to provide a high-calibre educational experience. The place, Carmarthen, is similar in size and scope to Geneva, NY, the home of HWS. Our students instantly feel comfortable managing Carmarthen. Most importantly, we find ourselves centrally located to areas of outstanding natural beauty, national parks, high peaks, rocky coastline, sandy beaches, and the utter magic of the Preseli Hills.
“Every year I return home excited to see the tremendous growth students have made during their time at UWTSD and I also start looking forward to working with faculty and staff to prepare a new group of students to experience this incredible programme.”
UWTSD students Ellen Jenkins and Will Jones were invited as buddies for visiting students from HWS. In this role, they developed their own outdoor leadership and facilitation skills, whilst welcoming students on to the Carmarthen campus.
Reflecting on her experience, Ellen said:
“I got an experience that I will never forget. I have come away with friends for life and have been able to learn and practice valuable skills to support my studies and future career. This experience has supported my time at UWTSD by allowing me to put everything that I have learnt so far in my degree into practice, in an actual real-life setting.”
For fellow student Will, the programme offered opportunities for personal and professional growth.
“This experience has enhanced my time at UWTSD by giving me the opportunity to practise both my leadership and technical skills, as well as giving me more self-confidence to put myself out there in future lectures and in all aspects of my life.”
Having recently completed the first year of their degree, UWTSD students Ellen Jenkins and Will Jones have both successfully secured places to undertake a Study Abroad semester at the University of South-Eastern Norway (USN) during Semester 2 of their second year.
Tom Moore concluded:
“There are few better places than Wales to experience the benefits of Outdoor Adventure Education. Year after year, it is remarkable to witness the personal growth that takes place. To be able to bring my teaching to life and enhance the student experience on both sides of the Atlantic is a genuine privilege.”
Further Information
Lowri Thomas
Principal Communications and PR Officer
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: lowri.thomas@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 07449 998476