Shannon Rowlands

When I came to the open day and for my interview, the University felt very friendly. This was the case for everyone I met at the Medical School as well, and the relatively small numbers on the course made the experience feel more personal and like being part of a family. I've been fortunate to meet people and see special things, which is a real privilege. I feel fortunate to have had a place to study Medicine here. The course is so enjoyable and keeps us busy but it doesn't feel like much work when everything is so interesting.

Taking the opportunity to study part of the course in Welsh is also important to me. I've been fortunate to receive scholarships throughout my time at University, the Coleg Cymraeg Incentive Scholarship and the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarship. I've had many opportunities at Swansea University as a Welsh student, I have been on the interview panel for the Medicine course, offering Welsh interviews to prospective students. I was also a Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol Ambassador for a year and hope to be able to inspire students in Welsh schools to study Medicine. This year, I had the unique opportunity to take part in the Urdd's Message of Peace and Goodwill which was a great opportunity to discuss important issues and meet other students I would never have been able to meet without this opportunity.

There are so many societies to join and something for everyone. I've joined the healthcare choir and established the Swansea Oncology Society which has been fun. By establishing Swansea University's Welsh Medical Society I hope we can socialise more through the medium of Welsh and network with other Welsh doctors.