Bangor University
Maggie Parke (US), Phd Film and New Media 
Background…
Originally from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, my first exposure to Wales was when I was 8, and I read The Dark is Rising sequence by Susan Cooper, part of which takes place in North Wales; I became fascinated with the myths and history of the area. In the fall of 2003, I did a semester abroad in Bangor during my undergraduate study and I absolutely loved it. You can’t beat the beautiful location, the outdoor activities, the history and language. The lecturers are friendly, the courses stimulating and unique, and the school is well-connected, supportive and flexible.
I finished my BA in Virginia but quickly returned to Bangor where I finished my Masters in Arthurian Literature and I’m still sticking around for my PhD!
Check out my blog about my research and film experiences: www.imstillwandering.blogspot.com
The course and the academic school...
I’m studying fantasy literature adaptations from book to film, video game and merchandise, and I’m focusing on Twilight, Harry Potter, and The Lord of the Rings. I love my topic, and I’m really enjoying the freedom, support, and flexibility of my department with relation to my work. It’s something you can’t get in the US. I’m able to focus on exactly what I want to focus on, and with the department’s enthusiasm for practice-led research, I’m able to make and use industry contacts and experience as part of my research.
I spent the whole of my first year doing research in the US, bouncing around between practical opportunities like being on the set of Twilight, meeting with game designers at The Lord of the Rings Online, and pouring through various libraries, and I love that the department supported me in doing that. They helped me with contacts both in the UK and the US, and they encouraged me to use every outlet here that I have. It was an extremely beneficial few months, and the support has continued with my return to the UK as they’ve helped me to network academically and uphold my professional experiences as well.
The department is close-knit, supportive, and is a wealth of knowledge and ideas. I love feeling comfortable enough to hash out something I’m thinking about, bring a draft of an article or a chapter in, and know that they will look at it critically, find it’s strengths and weaknesses, and help me in making it tighter, stronger, and better, and we will all go out for a drink or a movie afterwards.
Being an International Student Ambassador...
I think the scheme is a great initiative by the University. The international profile of Bangor has been growing exponentially in the last few years, and it's a great idea to have current international students advertising the university as well as assisting current students. I’ve learned a lot in my process of moving to Wales from another country and this could be very helpful to future international students, especially regarding aspects of living in the UK which the British may not be familiar with, like how British Rail works, or what the British-English word is for something.
The highlight so far…
The biggest highlight of the course is the upcoming opportunities. The doors that are opening are plentiful, unexpected, captivating and so much fun. I’ve been on film sets, I’ve met with game designers, I attended a movie premiere in Leicester Square, and am hoping even more of these opportunities are headed my way. I LOVE what I'm studying, and that passion, along with my course title and affiliations have allowed me to meet famous authors, actors, directors, producers, and game creators, and it has permitted me access into these workplaces and the personal offices of these artists. It’s wonderful for my research, but it’s also extremely eye opening and life-changing as well.
Best thing about Bangor…
Aside from the ocean being my front yard and the stunning mountains of Snowdonia National Park as my back yard, I think it’s great that Bangor feels like home within a day of being there. It's so friendly and accessible. It's a small-town feel with big-city connections. I love that you can get to London, Dublin and Manchester easily within a few hours, but I also love that you don't have to leave the city to find fun, beauty, adventure and scholarship.
When I’m away I miss the scenery, my friends, and certain foods (hobnobs and decent tea)... but I think when I leave Bangor for good, I'll most miss the feeling of community and friendship, as well as the academic opportunities that keep arising there.
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