This year, ten students studying the Welsh language at Cardiff University received a scholarship to visit the Welsh-speaking community of Patagonia. I was lucky enough to be among the ten - and, I must say, this was one of the best experiences of my life!
During our time there, we spent two weeks in the Camwy Valley, before traveling across the prairie to Cwm Hyfryd for our last two weeks. Although the landscape, the culture, and the routine of the people were completely unfamiliar to us, we immediately felt at home - thanks to the warm welcome we received from the residents of Y Wladfa.
We visited many schools, adult lessons, and chat clubs, and it was an extremely inspiring experience to hear the Welsh language flourish in all situations.
Despite this, the highlight of the experience was seeing the children in the schools rehearsing for Y Wladfa’s Young People's Eisteddfod. In the middle of all the folk singing, reciting and dancing, it was hard to believe that I was on the other side of the world, in the middle of Argentina!
The experience flew by, and soon it was time to fly back to Wales to tell the story. I certainly had a very gifting experience, and I would love to be able to go back there sometime again if I had the chance.
My advice to any other student would be – make the most of every opportunity that comes your way! You will treasure them for the rest of your life!
