Swansea University?

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**rubiksnoob**

So, I have an opportunity to potentially spend a semester studying at Swansea University in Wales next year, and I was wondering if there are any Dakkanauts who have experience with the school, the area surrounding, maybe even live in Swansea, anything. Any interesting tidbits regarding things to do in the area, nightlife, restaurants, weather, etc. Also, is the Swansea area relatively bike-friendly?

Regarding myself, I'm a Philosophy undergrad at a decent sized public university on the southern North Carolina coast. Enjoy outdoorsy stuff, fishing, hiking, etc. Big into cycling.

Any insights are appreciated!

**dæl**

Dylan Thomas called Swansea the death of ambition. If you want an entirely accurate representation of Swansea then watch the film Twin Town.

**uk_crow**

I have a few mates at uni there, seems to be quite decent, well connected to Cardiff (Capital city of Wales, great place). Also Wales is well placed for outdoorsy stuff, like hiking, mountain biking, etc due to the black mountains, brecon beacons. I'd expect them to have a hiking and mountain bike club. Nightlife is as expected of a uni town, pretty mental. Been pretty good when i've been out clubbing there visiting mates.

**Leigen_Zero**

Studied there myself for 4 years.

The university is a damn good establishment, and although I wasn't a cyclist myself, I can assure you that the city is incredibly bicycle-friendly (I'd say there were more people cycling to/from uni than drove). There is a really long cycle route that runs pretty much the length of the coastline, easily enough to ride for a day, its a coastal route as well so the scenery is pretty good. It is a very outdoorsy place, there is a huge beach that's popular with surfers (and kite surfers, there is a very strong on-shore wind, so I'm told) and plenty of parks, there is also good connections to Oxwich, Caswell Bay, etc (which you can cycle to in an afternoon or so).

I can't speak for the philosophy department itself, but it has a very good name for humanities subjects, and quite a reknowned science/engineering school.

Nightlife is good and also the local gaming groups are a great bunch, and will greet you with typical Welsh friendliness, I got to know quite a few of them while at uni.

And now the caveats, number one, despite the fact that it is a seaside area, you are coming to Wales, pack for cold & rain, especially if its in the winter/autumn/spring months. The summer months are generally a bit drier, but still pack for rain (Swansea has the highest average rainfall in Wales). Second, Swansea, like pretty much every town in Wales is very much in the grip of economic decline, so there are some unpleasant sites, but like everywhere else it's slowly recovering. Third, pack for rain

On the whole, I would say go for it, but don't choose it over somewhere like oxford/cambridge/rome/etc.

**4oursword**

I lived in Wales for years, and I will reiterate: Pack for rain.
Rain can and will show up at any time, and my prevailing experience of living there was damp.

**Million**

It's a rough place. I studied at Cardiff uni, had some placements in Swansea. They like fighting and drinking, not much culture our even good shopping. It was described rather poetically in the film Twin Town as a 'pretty s#/+ty city'

**rubiksnoob**

Huh, so mixed reviews, I guess. Thanks for the info!

**notprop**

Oh one titbit that a touring Swansea rugby side said on meeting them was that we should visit Swansea as it was like a free brothel. A mixed recommendation indeed.

Other than that It's in Wales so nuff said really.

**kronk**

Tidbit, not titbit.

**Avatar 720**

kronk wrote:
Tidbit, not titbit.

Both are correct.

**4oursword**

I have only ever seen titbit in any context.

**Frazzled**

Thats because you're a dern ferener who uses too many "u"s. All true red blooded Americans use "tidbit." Those that don't are fifth columnists, working for robo Bagdad Bob, and will be expunged in the new order.

**Flashman**

On the plus side, Swansea is next to the Gower peninsula which is one of the most scenic places in the UK.

**purplefood**

Pack for rain.

**notprop**

Frazzled wrote:
Thats because you're a dern ferener who uses too many "u"s. All true red blooded Americans use "tidbit." Those that don't are fifth columnists, working for robo Bagdad Bob, and will be expunged in the new order.

Red blooded but scared of tits?

Damned foreign types and your inpenitratable ways. The sooner civilisation catches up with you the better.

Tallyhoo!

**Albatross**

Be prepared for the drinking culture. By 'be prepared' I actually mean 'be very careful indeed'. There's a reason the US military (so the legend goes) used to give out leaflets to personnel who were serving alongside Brits that said 'Do not drink, gamble, or otherwise mess with the British servicemen'. The average working class Brit is the Scum of the Earth(tm)!

**Zambro**

Thought i'd just i'd let you know, they are in the middle of a huge measles outbreak. 800 people so far, last time i check (middle of last week), it could very well be 1000 by now. People have died, not many. I live in cardiff, which you should visit if your staying at swansea for a while, its a great place for tourists, some nice things to do.

I've been hiking down in the Gower in swansea several times. Very nice place, with pleasant hiking routes and scenes, providing the weather is nice - bringing me to the next point;

It will rain. Alot.

That is all

**purplefood**

If you've had your MMR shots measles shouldn't be bad...

**Avatar 720**

Pack for rain.

**uk_crow**

Flashman wrote:
On the plus side, Swansea is next to the Gower peninsula which is one of the most scenic places in the UK.

Which is great for surfing as well, go there every year!

**Howard A Treesong**

I've been out on a Friday/Saturday night in Swansea, it's not all that bad. I'd keep your wits about you like anywhere else though, but there were plenty of police out.

**LuciusAR**

Swansea University has a good reputation in fields of science. An old school friend of mine is now a marine biologist who studied there.

Swansea the city is a Gakhole without a single redeeming feature.

**MrDwhitey**

Pack for rain.

And remember, when you're down here, you'll float too.

**rubiksnoob**

Hopefully it hasn't been long enough for this to be considered necromancy, but I'd just like to thank you guys for the info; it's definitely helped.

Swansea isn't off the table completely, but it's more like it's under it, with other more attractive options on top. I might put off studying abroad for another year and spend the time dusting off my French and working with my advisor to try and study in Paris or Marseille. The opportunity to go is for next spring anyway, and if I decide to wait another year to go somewhere, there's definitely other places that are closer to the top of my "places to go" list.

MrDwightey wrote:Pack for rain.

Avatar 720 wrote:Pack for rain.

Zambro wrote:It will rain. Alot.

purplefood wrote:Pack for rain.

4oursword wrote:Rain can and will show up at any time, and my prevailing experience of living there was damp.

Leigen_Zero wrote:Third, pack for rain

Yeah, this might be a deal breaker. Too much rain drives me nuts, and I'm guessing my too much rain is your guys' light drizzle. What with the rain, measles (if that's still a problem?), and mixed reviews regarding the city itself, it's looking more and more like a place to go and visit, rather than a place to live and study in for an extended period of time. The university sounds decent, but I'm still going to keep my options open.

Thanks for the input!

**purplefood**

Basically, the University is pretty good. (Some may say rather good)
It is however in Swansea.
Swansea is where hope goes to die before moving to Swindon.
Swansea is also in Wales.
Wales has a few notable points.
-There are only just more people than sheep.
-Nice countryside/scenery.
-Rain is the standard weather. Not like 2 days a week. About 5/6 days a week and more in summer.
-Welsh is a funny language

Also at the time there was a fairly widespread outbreak of measles but AFAIK it's cleared up.

**4oursword**

purplefood wrote:
-Welsh is a funny language

Quoted for truth. Welsh follows different pronunciation rules to most other languages with the same alphabet.

This may be useful.

**MrDwhitey**

We haven't had rain, barring some light stuff at night, for weeks now.