October 25, 1998

This is just a short message to let everyone know that I have arrived in Swansea without any hassles. Really all I want to do is test whether or not I can write emails on my laptop and transfer them to the computers on campus and email them out. If your reading this then it worked.

I live in Henderfoilen Student Village - that’s pronounced “hen-DER-voil-len.” At present I have 7 housemates. We each have our own room and share a kitchen and dinning area. There are shower and toilet facilities upstairs and down so I only have to share with 3 other people. The women live upstairs and the men down. We have quite an international flavor here. Nick is 30 years old and from England and is studying marine biology. Sean grew up in Tanzania but has lived the past few years in England, he is 25, I think, and is studying philosophy and psychology. Torstin is about 24 or so and is from Germany like me is only here for the year. He is studying English literature. Upstairs there is Reshmi she is East Indian but grew up in Canada. She is 28 and will be here for 3 years getting here law degree. Stephanie - Steph - is from England and is 29 years old.

I can’t remember what she is studying. And lastly there is Peggy, or Peggy Sue as we call here. She is from France and here English is “not so good.” She can understand basic things and fortunately Reshmi speaks French well enough to translate for her. She is 24 and will only be here for the year. If you have been counting you will have noticed that I have only covered six people. We are missing one upstairs housemate. She will probably be from England because most of the international students have already arrived.

Speaking of international students, I have been told that about one-quarter of the student population here is international. At this point I think I have met more Canadians than British.

The city is beautiful. In fact I would say it is the prettiest city I have ever been to. There are gardens and fields everywhere and the upkeep is immaculate. I have taken quite a few pictures and as soon as I figure out how to get things up to my web page I will let everyone know.

Classes begin on Monday. I have my schedule set. I’m taking Latin 101, Moral Philosophy, Language and Reality, and Philosophy of Psychology. I’m looking forward to learning a great deal both in and out of class.

I hope everyone is well. All my love, idano