Settling in and embracing Welsh culture

Starting your journey at Aberystwyth University is an exciting adventure and you’ve made a fantastic choice! Located on the stunning Welsh coast, coming to Aberystwyth is not just about gaining a degree; it’s about experiencing a vibrant culture and way of life. To help settle in and make the most of your time here, find some tips on how to immerse yourself into Welsh culture.

1. Learn a few Welsh phrases

Welsh or Cymraeg is one of the oldest languages in Europe and is widely spoken in Aberystwyth and across Wales. While you don’t need to become fluent, learning a few basic phrases can go a long way in showing respect and appreciation for the culture.

Here are a few to get you started:

• Bore da – Good morning
• Diolch – Thank you
• Croeso – Welcome
• Hwyl fawr – Goodbye
• Iawn – All right/ okay

The University offers free Welsh classes for students, so take advantage of them to build your language skills and connect more with locals.

2. Get involved in local events and traditions

Aberystwyth has a vibrant cultural scene with plenty of events, festivals, and traditions throughout the year:

• Eistedfodau: This traditional Welsh festival of music, literature, and performance is a great way to experience Welsh poetry, music, and storytelling.
• Calennig: This traditional custom sees children knocking on doors and singing festive rhymes on 1 January in exchange for small gifts. Calennig events are staged around Wales on New Year’s Eve, usually with music and fireworks.
• Six Nations Rugby: Six Nations Rugby is the celebrated annual international rugby championship, involving both Wales’ men’s and women’s national teams. It starts in early February and runs for seven weeks. Up to three games in the men’s tournament are played in Cardiff’s Principality Stadium each year, bringing huge crowds and a fervent festival atmosphere to the city.
• St David's Day: The national day of Wales - St David's Day - takes place on 1 March. Across the country there are street parades that are great fun for everyone, with lots of Welsh flags flying. Many people pin a daffodil or leek - Wales' national emblems - to their clothes and some, especially children, wear Welsh national costume, national team rugby shirts, or dress up as leeks, daffodils or even dragons. 
• Hay Festival: One of the world’s biggest and best literary festivals, nicknamed the Woodstock of the Mind by Bill Clinton...  Hay Festival takes place every year in late spring, in the little border town of Hay on Wye.
• Royal Welsh Show: The four-day Royal Welsh Show is one of the largest and most prestigious agricultural events in Europe. Alongside livestock competitions, the daily programme includes everything from falconry displays and sheep dog trials to daredevil motocross displays and meet-and-greets with giant animatronic robots.
• Wales International Film Festival: This bourgeoning three-day film festival showcases the best of Welsh filmmakers, directors and animators with prizes in 20 categories. Over 80 films and shorts are screened during Wales International Film Festival every year.
• Open Door: Cadw’s Open Doors event sees the Welsh Government’s historic environment service throw open the doors to a number of Welsh heritage buildings and historic attractions for a weekend. This gives up-close and behind-the-scenes access to monuments and buildings not usually accessible to the public.
• IRONMAN Wales: Held annually in Tenby, Pembrokeshire, the IRONMAN Wales event draws hundreds of athletes, both professional and amateur, from around the world.

3. Try traditional Welsh food

Welsh cuisine is hearty and delicious, and trying it out is a fun way to connect with the culture. Be sure to sample at least once these tasty treats:

• Cawl: A traditional Welsh stew made with lamb and vegetables, perfect for warming up in a cold day. You can try it at the Arts Centre.
• Welsh cakes: Sweet, flat cakes that are cooked on a griddle. They’re delicious with a cup of tea!
• Bara Brith: A spiced fruit loaf that’s a staple in Welsh homes. It’s often enjoyed with a bit of butter.
• Welsh rarebit: A great combination of cheese, mustard, beer and Worcestershire sauce in a slice of bread.

Final thoughts

Coming here to Aberystwyth University is the beginning of an incredible journey, and by embracing the culture, the language, and traditions of Wales, you’ll not only settle in more quickly but also enrich your university experience.

Take every opportunity to learn, explore and immerse yourself in all things Welsh – you’ll soon find yourself falling in love with this unique and beautiful part of the world.

Croeso i Aberystwyth – Welcome to Aberystwyth and good luck!

Unless otherwise stated, the views contained within these blogs are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Aberystwyth University.