Wales: A wild ride of friendship, discovery and fun.
Heading off to Wales wasn’t just any old trip—it was like the climax of a great movie, a journey that turned into one heck of a ride. From when I first caught wind of this opportunity as a freshman to the wild celebration as a senior, it felt like fate had us in its grip.
Imagine this: a room full of hype as the news of our Wales acceptance hit us like a ton of bricks. We were buzzing, me and my Sports Link buddies, not just smiling, but feeling like we were part of something big.
As the days ticked by, the excitement was like a pot on the stove, just waiting to boil over. The thought of setting foot in a whole new country mixed with the rush of getting to do what I love in Wales’ stunning scenery. Every day brought more anticipation, fueling my excitement to dive into this new adventure.
Being picked as an Executive Producer for our documentary was a big deal, but also a ton of fun. Alongside Chris Taylor and Alex Kartman, our mentors, I dove into the lives of our subjects, spinning their tales into our film.
Each interview was eye-opening, a chance to connect with stories that would stick with me long after we left Wales. You’ll be able to see our finished work with the World Premiere of “Transatlantic Storytelling 2”, with our initial digital release streaming June 13.
Yeah, Wales is gorgeous, but it’s the folks there that really make it shine. From the Cardiff Met athletes we hung out with to the rowdy bunch at Cardiff Met University, our trip was all about the friendships we made. We laughed, we explored, and we lived it up together.
One day at Cardiff Castle, we stumbled upon something special.
Jodie Daniels, our guide by day, turned into a rockstar by night, belting out tunes and keeping us all entertained. Our group of 18 Americans packed a local pub house to watch him perform. It was that night the idea of Jodie performing “in” our documentary came to be.
It was one of those nights you don’t forget, a perfect snapshot of the magic Wales has to offer.
Looking back on my time in Wales, I’m just grateful for all the crazy moments that made it unforgettable. From the rush of exploring to the bonds we formed with total strangers, every bit of it was a wild ride. Wales might’ve been the backdrop, but it was the people we met that made it truly epic.