Baldwin Wallace University is introducing a new faculty-led study abroad program in Wales, focusing on the role of arts, entertainment, sports and education in reviving the Welsh language.
The two-week program in May 2026 will take students across multiple regions of Wales, offering an immersive cultural and historical experience.
Professor Jami Lercher, one of the program’s faculty leaders, emphasized the universal appeal of the trip.
“There’s really something for everyone, no matter what your main field of interest is,” Lercher said. “We’re looking at how it intersects with sports, entertainment, education and culture. It’s all-encompassing.”
The program will explore how the Welsh language, once nearly extinct, has been revitalized through strategic efforts in the media, government and public education.
Students will visit Welsh-language schools, where young children are learning the language as part of daily instruction and the BBC Wales headquarters, where television and radio broadcasts are conducted in both Welsh and English.
A major highlight of the trip is a visit to the Urdd National Eisteddfod, a historic Welsh arts and cultural festival. The festival features competitions in poetry, music and public speaking, all conducted in Welsh.
“It’s like a giant fairground effectively where [the language] is the focus,” Lercher said. “There’s even opportunities where we could volunteer to work at that festival… and see behind the scenes.”
Beyond structured informative experiences, the program will also feature interactive and hands-on activities. Students will visit a working Welsh sheep farm, participate in a traditional Welsh cooking class and take part in a wood carving workshop creating handcrafted Welsh love spoons. These experiences aim to provide a deeper understanding of Welsh culture and daily life.
The group will fly into Ireland, then travel through Cardiff and North Wales, experiencing regional differences in Welsh culture along the way. The program is designed to be accessible to students of all disciplines, with courses available in education and music that fulfill core curriculum requirements.
Although the program focuses on language revival, students will not be expected to learn Welsh fluently; however, they will engage in weekly language lessons, music listening and Welsh-language TV segments before departure to familiarize themselves with the sounds and structure of the language.
Student interest in the program has been high. At a recent study abroad fair, Lercher collected a list of over 40 interested students within just two hours.
“I think that just really speaks, again, to the universality of this type of program and how it can apply to students no matter what they’re studying,” Lercher said.
Nicole Grimes, a first-year English major, said: “I’m definitely interested in this trip. I just find Welsh culture so interesting.”
Applications for the spring 2026 trip are now open on the BW Global Explorations page and are expected to stay open until mid-October. Students interested in learning more can reach out to Lercher or Professor Brandi Seither for additional details.
