Harper Cymru made moving away from home easier for Welsh student

Posted 25 January 2017

Harper Cymru, the society for Welsh students, provides a ready-made network of friends and contacts for when a Welsh student starts at Harper Adams University.

One student who’s benefitted from the society is Sean Jeffreys, who now, as a second year student, is helping to continue the active role the society has by taking on the role of chairman.

The 19-year-old BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Marketing student from Swansea, Glamorgan, said: “As a Welshman I’m hugely patriotic. When moving away from home and into new environments it is crucial to find a support network. Harper Cymru was what made me come out of my shell; it assisted me to no end in settling down here at Harper.

“As chairman, I’m working hard to ensure first year students feel more at home here.

“Next year the society aims to carry out some charity work in the aid of an agricultural charity and a local Shropshire based charity, to contribute something back to the wonderful community that is the West Midlands and Shropshire.”

This year, Sean has been awarded a Jerman Scholarship. In relation to this, he said: “I’m extremely privileged to have been recognised and be supported by the Jerman Scholarship. I’m everlastingly appreciative to the late Mr and Mrs Jerman for their generosity.

“With the money, I plan to complete more training locally in Wales; in particular my trailer test and gain my license to be able to dip sheep following the recent concerns regarding sheep parasites. It will also support me during my studies at Harper, allowing me to put my all into my course.

“Leaving my mum behind was a very tough task for me, my father passed away when I was 10 years-old, so effectively I became the man of the house from a very young age. But I recognised to secure my way into the industry, Harper was a requirement to get to where I want to be.

“I’ve been very interested in agriculture from a very early age. This was supported by and encouraged by my grandparents.

“From the age I've been able to run around after sheep, I've known I wanted a career involving them.”