By Bibi Toye, First year, Economics and Philosophy
The shared patriotism uniting Bristol’s Welsh students is undeniably igniting important questions: How are students embracing traditional Welsh culture to supplement their experiences at an English university? How do Welsh students maintain pride in their identity and heritage whilst immersing themselves in a new city and cultural environment outside of Wales? Epigram sat down with members of the Welsh student community and connected with Bristol’s Welsh society, CymGym, to gain a unique insight into what to expect as a Welsh student at Bristol.
Recent statistics reveal that of all full-time undergraduate students from Wales, 41 per cent study in England. Additionally, only 36 per cent of full-time Welsh postgraduate students study in England. This disproportion suggests that there are deterrents discouraging Welsh students from moving to England for higher education, with speculation that this is due to cultural differences, or a lack of awareness of course availability and financial support on offer to them.
Epigram spoke to the Welsh society’s Social Secretary, second-year Law and French student, Eluned Darwin Goss, to gain an insight into the Welsh student experience at Bristol. When asked what Welsh students can expect when coming to an English university, Eluned said: ‘I think Welsh students need to expect a much larger percentage of English high household income students due to the student finance system. I have felt that there are a lot of English people at university who are unaware of their privilege because they are lucky enough to have families who can afford to pay for their university fees.’
There is indeed a gap between student finance funding for Welsh and English students. For Welsh students living away from home and outside of London, the maximum amount they are eligible for in the current academic year is £12,150, compared with £10,227 for English students. For students in Wales, the loan amount they receive is not dependent on household income, only grants are means-tested. However, loans for English students are means-tested according to a family's household income. This means-tested grant system in Wales makes universities more accessible and takes the pressure off loan repayments for many individuals.
Eluned went on to tell Epigram: ‘As Social Sec of CymGym, keeping Welsh language and culture alive is incredibly important to me and I’d say that all of the committee members share the same values.’
Bristol’s proud Welsh society is a key contributor in creating a sense of community for Welsh students. The society organises an extensive programme of inclusive events and socials throughout the academic year to foster a sense of togetherness for Welsh students at Bristol. Themes are set, and students are encouraged to come along and enjoy the company of fellow Welsh students who share similar patriotic feelings for their home nation at regularly held socials.
The society’s yearly highlight is centred around Welsh rugby, with a recent trip to Belfast to watch the Six Nations Wales v Ireland match with Queen’s Belfast’s very own Welsh society. CymGym never misses a Wales game, often collaborating with Bristol’s Italian and French societies to watch Six Nations fixtures.
‘There’s nothing like singing Hen Wlad fy Nhadau in a rugby shirt with your Welsh mates’, Eluned proudly added.
On the 4th of March, Bristol’s Welsh society organised a day dedicated to Welsh culture, including a quiz and presentation on the culture of Wales, as well as Welsh-themed arts and crafts, and enjoying famous foods such as cawl (a staple Welsh soup), Welsh cakes, and Bara Brith (fruit loaf). This day is reflective of how active the society is, regularly giving Welsh students the opportunity to do something which reminds them of home.
Epigram also spoke with some of Bristol’s wider Welsh community. When asked what aspects of Welsh culture they miss whilst studying in England, the students shared similar perspectives. Ben, a second-year Maths student, noted that ‘the culture in Wales has a sense of togetherness, England feels quite divided whereas Wales is very united as a whole.’
‘both Bristol and Wales have lovely green spaces, beautiful buildings, lovely people’
Cerys, a first-year History student, agreed, telling Epigram: ‘I miss the overall sense of shared patriotism and living in a country I love and feel proud of, and the friendliness of the Welsh. Everyone always stops on the street to have a chat whether you have met them before or not. I find Wales far more of a friendly and positive place!’
However, Cerys also shed a more positive light on her experience as a Welsh student at Bristol. When asked about the similarities between living in Wales and moving to Bristol, she expressed her appreciation that ‘both Bristol and Wales have lovely green spaces, beautiful buildings, lovely people, and fun activities to do around every corner.’
After speaking to Welsh students studying in Bristol, it became apparent that although their experiences were not entirely negative, there are undeniable differences that come with studying in England as a Welsh student.
For third-year Sociology student from Cardiff, Rosie, the biggest difference between being a Welsh student as opposed to an English student at the University of Bristol is the lack of understanding of Welsh culture: ‘Despite the fact that Bristol is very close to Wales, I think sometimes English people forget Welsh culture exists.’ ‘The amount of people who don’t realise Welsh is a real language people speak is crazy’, she added. Following further discussion of how Welsh students are treated, Rosie continued: ‘There is definitely a novelty factor in being Welsh, people get weirdly excited when they find out you’re not from England.’
Nel, an MA English student from North Wales, shared a similar perspective: ‘When people find out you’re fluent in Welsh it’s always followed by the classic “say something in Welsh” plea – my fellow Welshies will be all too familiar with having to drop the “rydw i’n hoffi coffi” line!’ She continued, ‘Because I don’t have a particularly strong accent I’ve definitely been made to feel like I have to justify my Welshness, which has at times been a bit demeaning, especially when I feel so connected to my Welsh identity.’ Despite this, Nel was grateful for the small group of Welsh people she’s met at the University of Bristol – especially those she’s able to converse in Welsh with.
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CymGym encourages students to exercise the Welsh language wherever possible whilst at Bristol, with the society’s Welsh language coordinator, Owen, setting up a language workshop at the global lounge every couple of weeks. This session is open to all, not just those who speak Welsh or students from Wales – anyone interested in learning Welsh is welcome.
Welsh culture is very much alive at the University of Bristol, with countless opportunities to embrace the heritage of Wales and celebrate the nation’s Celtic language available for those who wish to participate.
Featured Image: Epigram / Alannah Grant
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