International student Katelynn Iemsisanith’s study experience in Wales, exploring Early Years education at UWTSD
Katelynn Iemsisanith, a fourth-year student at California State University, Fullerton, is majoring in Child and Adolescent Studies with an emphasis on Early Childhood. In September 2025, she joined the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) on their Swansea campus for a three-month placement to study Early Years Education and Care on an inward mobility funded by Taith. She’s told us about her experience.
I was drawn to UWTSD for its Early Years course, which closely aligned with my major and professional goals. When looking at where I wanted to study abroad, there were not many international universities that offered a program that suited my course of study. I was glad to see that UWTSD offered the Early Years course. It’s something I’m passionate about and relevant to my future career.
My goals for studying abroad were to explore cultural differences in education, deepen my understanding of child development, and learn how to apply these insights back home.
Transitioning from a large American campus to a smaller, close-knit university community offered me new perspectives on collaboration and learning. I especially appreciated how approachable my professors were and how much support they offered. My professors have shown me what true educators look like in the way they genuinely care for their students. I always walked into a classroom knowing that they were there to support me. I also valued the smaller class sizes, which allowed for more meaningful group discussions.
At my home university, classes are primarily taught through lectures with some small group discussions. However, here, professors used a mix of different styles. Some days we would have a lecture, while other days were dedicated to independent work with time to meet one-on-one with the professor about the assignment.
I’m also used to having many small assignments and quizzes throughout the semester with one cumulative exam or final paper at the end, whereas here, it’s one big assignment to show all that we learned in that module.
It was interesting to learn about Early Years education in Wales and compare it to what I have learned in the U.S. I enjoyed hearing about my classmates’ experiences in their placements or jobs in early childhood settings and how they compared to mine. I was surprised to learn that it’s actually pretty similar, and we value many of the same things when it comes to children and how they learn.
I experienced homesickness early on. I found ways to cope by establishing a familiar routine and connecting with my loved ones. Even going outside and taking a walk to the beach or my favourite café helped me a lot! My friends and I started a book club before I left, which has been a great way to stay connected.
Studying abroad has deepened my academic understanding but also shaped my personal growth and professional outlook. Living and studying in an international environment influenced my understanding of diversity and inclusion immensely. I have a whole new understanding of challenges and perspectives from people all around the world. My time in Wales also taught me independence, resilience, and adaptability. This experience has pushed me out of my comfort zone and strengthened my confidence in my ability to adapt. It has shown me that I am able to do things alone even though it might be difficult and scary.
I think this journey of studying abroad will help me stand out because of the new and diverse experiences I’ve had. It gave me the opportunity to show how I can adapt and navigate new environments, work independently while collaborating with others, communicate effectively, and demonstrate resiliency and initiative.
I’ll be graduating in spring 2026, and I look forward to applying my international experience to my future career in early childhood education. I can apply the insights I gained this semester to my future work and also be a resource for students at my home university who are interested in studying abroad.
My time in Wales has broadened my perspective, strengthened my professional skills, and inspired me to encourage others to embrace global learning opportunities.
