The best part of my Swansea University experience has genuinely been the sense of community I’ve found here. I came to Swansea expecting a nice uni by the beach. However, being part of the Gym Gym (Welsh Society) has completely shaped my student life. It’s given me friendships, confidence, responsibility, and a proper feeling of belonging. I’ve gone from being a new first-year walking into socials not knowing anyone, to becoming Welfare and in charge of the social media. That community is what has made Swansea feel like home. The city and the setting are also a massive part of what makes Swansea special. There are not many places where you can finish a seminar and be standing on a beach five minutes later. The coastline, the sunsets, the green spaces around Singleton, and the general laid-back, friendly vibe of the city have all played a huge role in my experience. Swansea is big enough to have nightlife, events, cafés, and things to do, but small enough that you always bump into someone you know. It’s the kind of place where student life feels connected, rather than scattered. You’re not just “at uni” - you’re part of the whole city. The Welsh-speaking community in Swansea has been another major highlight. It’s vibrant, welcoming, and genuinely alive. Through events, gigs, and the wider student Welsh network, I’ve been able to be involved in Welsh culture every week - something you don’t get everywhere. Whether it’s a Gym Gym social, a Welsh gig in town, meeting Welsh artists, or working with organisations and societies, Swansea has given me a chance to live my life bilingually in a really natural way. That’s a big part of why the uni has meant so much to me. I’ve also loved the independence that Swansea gives you. It’s a uni where you can carve out your own path and try things without feeling boxed in. I’ve been able to run projects, start a podcast, grow a small business, create content, and collaborate with Welsh organisations - all while still being a full-time student. The environment here makes it feel possible. It’s the sort of place where if you have an idea, there are people around you who will encourage you, help you, or at least say, “Go for it.” That atmosphere is something I really value. Of course, there have been challenges too. Living away from home comes with ups and downs, and balancing uni life with society commitments, creative work, part-time jobs, friendships, and my own projects can get overwhelming very quickly. When you get so involved in things - especially societies and events - you do sometimes feel like you’re constantly juggling everything at once. I’ve had moments where I’ve had to learn the hard way about saying no, or stepping back, or trying to make sure that uni doesn’t turn into pure chaos. There’s also the classic student struggle: budgeting, the occasional homesickness, the odd week where deadlines all land at the same time, and the challenge of finding quiet, calm time for yourself in a city that always has something going on. But honestly, even the tougher parts have taught me something - how to manage my time better, how to look after myself, and how to find a balance between work, creativity, and enjoying uni life. Overall, Swansea University has given me more than just an education - it’s given me a community, a voice, and a sense of who I am. It’s introduced me to people who have become like family, given me experiences I wouldn’t have had anywhere else, and allowed me to be part of something bigger than myself. Being surrounded by Welsh speakers and learners, being in a city that feels both lively and comforting, and having the chance to grow personally and creatively has made my time here genuinely special.

One of the best aspects of my Swansea University experience has been how much room my Media and Communications degree gives me to be creative while still grounding everything in real-world media understanding. From the start, modules like MSW123 (Sgiliau Cyfryngau Ymarferol) helped me settle in, understand the fundamentals of studying media at university level, and gain confidence in my own ideas. It set the tone for a degree that is supportive, flexible, and designed to let you explore the areas of media that genuinely excite you. As I’ve moved through the course, the mix of theory and practical work has become one of its biggest strengths. I’ve enjoyed being able to switch between studying things like the political economy of media, the history of broadcasting, and how digital platforms shape communication to then going out and actually creating work inspired by what I’ve learned. I’ve produced radio-style packages, filmed and edited short documentary pieces, written press releases, and analysed audience trends, all of which have directly helped me grow my skills both academically and creatively. A huge highlight of my Swansea experience has been the Welsh-language community. It has genuinely defined my time here. Being part of the Gym Gym (Welsh Society) first as a member and now as Ysgrifennydd Cyfryngau Cymdeithasol a Lles (Social Media Secretary and Welfare) - has given me a sense of belonging and purpose that goes far beyond the lecture room. I get to use what I learn in my degree every single day: creating bilingual content, interviewing artists, promoting events, and supporting the growing Welsh-language music scene. Swansea is a place where Welsh-language culture feels alive and accessible, and it’s been the perfect environment for someone who wants to work in Welsh media. The course itself has supported that too. The flexibility in assessments has meant I’ve been able to tailor almost every project to my interests. I’ve made a video exploring the Welsh A-level pathway, produced audio packages aimed at young Welsh listeners, and even taken the skills form my PR module into work experience of the summer to write real press releases for external organisations like Specsavers. Lecturers like Elain Price, Non Williams, and Iwan Williams, as well as the entire rest of the staff in the Media department, have always encouraged independent thinking and creativity, and that’s made my degree feel like a space where I’m not just completing assignments. I’m building a meaningful portfolio. Outside the classroom, Swansea as a location has played a huge role in why I’ve enjoyed my time here. Being five minutes from the beach, having a city that’s big enough to be busy but small enough to feel like home, and being surrounded by a proper Welsh-speaking community has made such a difference. My course, my projects, and my Welsh-language work all feel connected here in a way that feels natural. The hardest parts have mostly come from trying to balance everything at once. Because the course gives you so much freedom to follow your interests, it’s very easy to take on too much - I’ve often found myself juggling my degree, my business, my podcast, my society roles, and various media projects all at the same time. There have been days where I’ve been trying to finish an academic reading while also editing a TikTok for the Gym Gym, preparing for an interview, and working on an assignment with a tight deadline. It’s rewarding, but intense. My degree has helped me grow academically, creatively, and personally. I’ve built a strong bilingual portfolio, developed real experience in Welsh media, connected with lecturers who genuinely support my ideas, and become part of a community that feels like a second home. Swansea hasn’t just taught me about media... it’s helped me become part of Wales’ media landscape, and that’s been the best part of all.

Living in Penmaen was a huge part of my Swansea University experience, and it shaped my first year far more than I expected. Penmaen is one of the halls on Singleton Campus, which is already a massive advantage. Being able to wake up, walk out the door, and be at lectures in under five minutes genuinely makes a difference. It also meant I could get stuck into student life without the hassle of buses or long walks, which made everything from Gym Gym socials to late-night editing sessions so much easier. In terms of amenities, Penmaen offers everything you actually need, even if it isn’t the fanciest accommodation in the world. Having an ensuite was a big bonus - especially in first year when you’re figuring out routines, settling into independence, and trying to balance work, socials, and sleep. The shared kitchen setup can be a mixed experience depending on who you live with, but for me it became one of the most social parts of living there. Cooking together, chatting in the evenings, or just bumping into people when you needed a break from studying helped make Penmaen feel more like a home than just a set of rooms. Value for money is one of the areas where Penmaen gets mixed opinions, but personally I think the location makes up for a lot. Yes, it’s not the cheapest hall on campus, and some of the facilities show their age a bit, but being so close to everything genuinely saves time, travel costs, and stress. Everything you need is included: bills, internet, security, maintenance support, and access to the wider campus facilities. And knowing that you’re in a safe, well-managed space does make a difference when you’re adjusting to living away from home. Of course, Penmaen isn’t perfect. Some flats have minor issues like temperamental heating, the occasional maintenance hiccup, or kitchens that could be a little better equipped. Like any student accommodation, a lot depends on who you end up living with - a great flat can make your year, and a messy one can test your patience. But the staff are generally helpful, and maintenance requests are dealt with fairly quickly.

Swansea university in general has made my last 3 years as a student the best three years of my life so far. Excellent support from lecturers, fabulous night life, a wide variety of clubs and societies and great facilities overall have all helped to make my experience at the University enjoyable