Since studying abroad in Wales, I’ve come to find that most people don’t seem to know where it is. I’ve heard some pretty good guesses:

“Near the Czech Republic?”

Not quite, try more west, and then go over some water.

“Australia, right?”

To be fair, there is a New South Wales in Australia, but no.

“You went to Africa?”

I did not. Try a slightly rainier location.

Like so many others, I didn’t know much about Wales before I decided to spend the fall semester of my junior year there.  It wasn’t as distinctive to me as England or Scotland or even Northern Ireland. It sort of just seemed like an extension of England, which is how I think a lot of people see it. For example, when I was there my English flatmates kept giving me tips on how to live in England, despite not actually being there.

Wales is one of the four countries in the United Kingdom and is located in the southwestern part of Great Britain.  I made my decision to study in Cardiff, the capital city, not based on the desire to be in Wales but by my desire to be in  a major city that wouldn’t make me go broke the way London or Edinburgh would. In the end it turned out to be the best decision. Wales was so distinctly, well, Welsh. And though I’m sure England is distinctly English, here is my plea: for those who want to study abroad in the UK, particularly England, don’t dismiss Wales as an option.

The Landscape

Wales is known for its natural beauty. In the south, Swansea is home to Rhossili Bay, which was ranked the best beach in the UK and the tenth best beach in the world in 2013. Or head up north and hike the mountains in Snowdonia National Park. Cardiff is the largest city in Wales, and while it’s smaller than Boston it still has everything you’ll need in a capital city: pubs, clubs, and shopping.

The Language

Wales has two official languages: English and Welsh. A census in 2011 found that about 19 percent of the Welsh population is able to speak the language. In an attempt to keep the language alive, various acts have been passed by the Welsh government to ensure the Welsh and English languages are treated equally. Official signs in Wales are written in English and Welsh. It’s a way to get that study-abroad-new-language experience without there being any language barriers. But don’t expect to become an expert in Welsh; it’s a lot different than English. Wales in Welsh is “Cymru,” not exactly cognates.

The Uniqueness

In all truth, Wales is very similar to England. I spent a lot of time in England while abroad and visually, it was hard for me to tell the difference when there were no traffic signs giving it away with “peidiwch â mynd I” (do not enter) written on the bottom. As far as I could tell, in Cardiff, there was not much of an accent difference between the English and Welsh people I met. Still, I’m glad I didn’t go to England because it just wouldn’t have been the same. Hot Welsh cakes at the market, leek- waving rugby fans, and a flag emblazoned with a big, red dragon (the national animal) is all I needed to make my time in Wales enjoyable.

When my friends ask me if they should visit Wales when they study abroad, my answer is usually, and surprisingly, “no.” Unless they’re a fan of Doctor Who, in which case Cardiff is a bit of a Mecca, I don’t recommend it. It’s not because I don’t love Wales or wouldn’t go back in a second if I got the chance, it’s because Wales simply isn’t a tourist attraction, and you’re not going to be able to plan an itinerary of attractions to see in a short visit.

For those who aren’t craving the tourist appeal, Wales deserves consideration. There isn’t a lot of flash to the country. That’s what made it such a great place to study abroad. You will feel like you belong, like it’s a home, and you’re not just a tourist shuffling around. That being said, it’s easy to jump on a train and see all the sights you want, it’s only two hours to London. So when you decide to study abroad in the UK, don’t just default to England, consider all the possibilities. Consider Wales.

Diolch yn fawr! (“thank you!”).

Samantha Gillis is a senior Journalism major who studied abroad at Cardiff University in Cardiff, Wales in fall 2012.  She can be reached at [email protected].