In 2014 I went on my first Erasmus exchange in North Wales, I had no expectations whatsoever before arriving. I knew I was about to live in a really small town by the sea called Bangor, that was all.
Wales is a nature friendly location where you will mostly go walking, climbing, and see breath-taking views (if you are lucky with the weather there are stunning beaches). Whilst Scotland and Ireland attract many tourists for their wide variety of landscapes Wales has yet to be affected by the influx of tourists.
So discover the 5 reasons to visit North Wales:
The Nature
Wales is a wild country, big cities are not numerous and the countryside remains the most beautiful part of the country. In Wales you’ll find all the classic natural charms: lakes, mountains, panoramic landscapes, picturesque villages, hiking paths, sheep walking around everywhere … North Wales hosts the beautiful national park of Snowdonia, where stands the highest mountain of Wales and second highest of the United Kingdom: Mount Snowdon. It is 1085-meter high, there is a magnificent hike to reach the top and a train as well. I would recommend the hike, even for a beginner, it is doable with good weather conditions.
The Calm
The number one appeal about North Wales is that it is still not very touristy, you can visit most places without having to pay for entrances (unlike Ireland for example) and you can travel at your own pace without bumping into crowds of tourists. It is so peaceful that you will find yourself completely zen and trouble-free: the dream holiday right?!
The Castles
Wales is famous for its castles, it is actually the country hosting the most castles in the world with 641 castles. Crazy, right?! Even if you are not a castle fan, some of them deserve a visit such as Caernarfon and Conwy castles. Besides, it is always interesting to get to know a country’s history a bit better.
A Complete Immersion
This section is for people who want to improve their English level (or Welsh maybe?). Whereas most foreigners tend to go on holiday or live in London or Edinburgh, Wales, once again, has yet to be invaded by expatriates, foreigners, etc., it’s the perfect place to go to avoid the crowd!
Another interesting thing is the language, Welsh is the first Celtic language spoken in the world after Irish! All road signs are in both Welsh and English and many other things such as places, restaurants ‘names etc. Don’t be surprised if someone starts talking to you in Welsh, it happens!
For an Erasmus Exchange
As previously mentioned I went on my first Erasmus exchange in Wales, at Bangor University. I would definitely recommend studying in the United Kingdom, you can choose your classes at the university and the level is not difficult. Studying at Bangor University was a highlight for my studies, the university looks like a castle, a lot of activities are organised, we call them “societies” (such as theatre, badminton, photography, diving etc.), the city itself is very small but very charming with many restaurants, bars, clubs etc. You also have the sea and Anglesey island not far, so there is plenty of things to discover at the weekend.
If you cannot study abroad there are other possibilities, such as becoming an au-pair, finding a placement, volunteering, woofing. If you have the will you can do whatever you want. It might be hard (the bureaucracy process, save money,…) but it is totally worth it.
Now is time to discover this peaceful country from your own eyes, pack your warmest jumper and waterproof shoes and you are ON!
Julia's Travels 