From Gainesville to Cardiff: building bridges through UF’s Wales study abroad program

When Matthew Jones first set foot in Wales nearly a decade ago, he never imagined it would change his life — and eventually the lives of many of his students at the University of Florida.

Jones first traveled to Wales while studying British literature, where he came across the works of Welsh poet Iolo Morganwg. That sparked a curiosity about the Welsh language, which eventually led to the creation of a one-of-a-kind study abroad program for UF students. The program gives students a chance to experience Welsh culture, history and legal practices firsthand, connecting them with a part of the world they might not have explored otherwise.

The UF in Wales: Writing in International Studies, Law, and Relations program is a six-week summer course, launched in 2023 by Jones, an assistant instructional professor in the University Writing Program at the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

The program allows UF students with an interest in law to gain practical work experience in Cardiff while delving into Welsh history and culture.

“Not only did I get to learn about Welsh law and how it interacts with United Kingdom law, but I got to work with real people navigating the civil court system,” said UF senior Kaitlin Berger. “We all adored the Welsh culture, cuisine, history and beautiful scenery, and we came to find that the term hiraeth would resonate with each of us in a profound way.”

Hiraeth is a Welsh word that implies a deep homesickness for Wales to those who leave.

“I never imagined that I would miss Cardiff as much as I do now,” said Berger, who recently was accepted to UF’s Levin College of Law.

A transformative period
Jones' curiosity with the Welsh language led him to Cardiff University in 2015, where he pursued a master’s degree in Welsh and Celtic Studies. He immersed himself in the culture, taking lessons in the language and experiencing life in the capital city. By the end of his year-long program, Jones was fluent in Welsh.

“I tell people that the Welsh language saved my life in some way. I found direction for the first time at the age of 28,” he said.

Once at UF, Jones leveraged his deep connections to Wales to create a transformative program for UF students where they live with Welsh families and experience daily life and traditions firsthand. They also engage with government officials and gain insight into the country’s political landscape.

Building bridges
What makes the program unique are the key relationships and contacts that Jones has forged over the years with people at Cardiff University, it's law school and in the Welsh Government, like with Eoghan O'Regan, deputy head of North America for the Welsh Government and first secretary based at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C.

“As a government, we want to build more bridges between Wales and America,” said O'Regan, an important contributor to the UF program. “What I hope students learn is how a small country on the very edge of Europe has been able to shape the world already and is still trying to change the world.”

During the five- or six-week program, students provide pro bono legal services to help broaden their understanding of international law and work as interns with civil and family justice organizations and Cardiff University’s law magazine, The Justice Gap.

UF junior honors student Karina Garcia-Leal, who hopes to one day be a U.S. Foreign Service officer, said her experience with the Wales program provided her with a “competitive edge” in her pursuit of an internship this summer with the U.S. State Department, and it reinforced her passion for public and community service.

“As an intern at Support Through Court and working for The Justice Gap, I got to see people making a difference,” she said. “The memories of helping these people reach their goals will always hold a special place in my heart.”

Celebrity status
The students’ work and enthusiasm hasn’t gone unnoticed. Last summer, several stories appeared in Welsh and British national newspapers and television reports, highlighting the program’s impact.

“My students were a hit. They were like B list celebrities,” Jones said. “There is so much interest from different sectors over there, which I think highlights the value of cross-cultural education.”

Jones continues to look for opportunities to expand the Welsh exchange program and tap into his strong connections with Welsh educators and government officials to open doors for further collaborations. He has helped create travel exchanges for faculty and learners among the math education department in the UF College of Education and with the College of Journalism and Communications, and he continues to work closely with the UF Levin College of Law.

“The UF in Wales program is a wonderful complement to our study abroad offerings, providing students with valuable exposure to the legal field,” said Layne Prebor, J.D., assistant director of graduate and international programs at UF’s Levin College of Law. “Our pre-law students have told me how much they enjoy the immersive experience. It’s definitely a win-win.”

Students from the UF in Wales program are making impressive achievements, with several accepted into top law schools such as UF, Northeastern and Washington and Lee Law School. Notably, Sana Motorwala was selected as one of only four individuals in the country to receive the Scoville Peace Fellowship in the fall.

The next group of students will leave for Wales on May 23 for five weeks, maintaining Jones’ vision for equipping students with skills, knowledge and cultural awareness for a globalized world.

“I’m beyond excited to witness other people’s journeys of self-discovery,” he said.