Bangor University- Mini Graduation

James Ballantyne Regional Program Manager

Date

May 9, 2014

Andrew Faas, the Regional Programmes Manager,  has recently visited Arcadia students at Bangor University for their mini graduation. Andrew, attended the mini-graduation ceremony that the university puts on for all departing exchange, Erasmus and study abroad students.  He also had the privilege to speak at the event, encouraging the group to reflect upon the personal development opportunities that their abroad experience provided.

After the ceremony, Andrew took the Arcadia students to the village of Beaumaris on the Isle of Anglesey.  When they got across to the island, they had a stroll through the town, its promenade and castle and finished with a dinner of locally sourced seafood at The Bull restaurant.

At dinner, the students shared much from their experience and had many positive things to share about Arcadia's support.  They all shared that Arcadia's orientation was a great opportunity to explore London. It gave them a chance to acclimate to the UK, meet other students and to gel as a group before heading up to Bangor.  They felt better prepared than fellow study abroad students.

One of the highlights of the semester was the recording of a music video. Karsyn is an accomplished musician and Cristina helped to record a music video on a remote and picturesque hillside near Bangor.  Karsyn chose the spot for its natural beauty, remoteness and usual lack of passers by.  On the day of the shoot, though, Karsyn managed to attract an audience at the remote spot.

All three students have been enjoyed their courses and appreciate the different teaching and learning experience compared with home.  All three of the girls have 4 exams coming up and they are a bit anxious about the weight of these exams in their overall course marks.  Andrew talked this through with them and is sure they will all do well.

The girls have had a great time at Bangor University and will greatly miss it. Though they are already looking forward and have big plans for their return home.  Cristina will be looking for jobs and internships in her subject area of marine biology.  Jenny will be taking on a new job in Boston.  Karsyn will be joining her sister in Arizona, taking a summer course load of 12 credits there before returning to Belmont in Nashville.