LLANDOVERY College has recently welcomed a student from Patagonia who will be staying at the College until Easter as part of an international scholarship scheme.
Jeremias Knobel from Esquel is the 13th student that the College has hosted since the inception of the Patagonian Student Scholarship set up in memory of Tom Gravell in 2003.
During his time at Llandovery, Jeremias will be continuing his own studies and improving his Welsh language skills.
He will also be participating in the work of the Welsh and Spanish Departments at the College and at Ysgol Gynradd Rhys Pritchard, raising awareness of his homeland, its history, geography and culture.
In the 150th anniversary year of the landing of the first Welsh settlers in Patagonia, the College sees it particularly fitting to be able to reinforce the links between the two nations.
A reception was held at the College library on Friday, February 6, when Glyn Evans, a former Master at the College and a leading figure in arranging the Patagonian student visits since its inception, officially welcomed Jeremias and thanked both sponsors and supporters of the scholarship.
He also thanked Wyn Morgan, Head of the Welsh Department at Llandovery College for his enthusiasm and hard work in facilitating these visits.
David Gravell, an old Llandoverian, said that he was proud to continue supporting the scholarship that now carries his father’s name, Tom Gravell.
Tom Gravell established his own links with Patagonia and made numerous personal pilgrimages there after retiring from the family business.
Dan Jones attended the event on behalf of Llandovery Rotary Club, with both the Llandovery and Cefn Sidan branches continuing to sponsor the students’ stay at Llandovery.
Jeremias said that he was thankful to everyone involved in his selection, the organisation of his visit and the welcome he had received in Wales.
Guy Ayling, Warden of Llandovery College said: “The Patagonian Student Scholarship is of mutual benefit to the visiting student and not only to the College but to the wider community of Llandovery.
"It gives the opportunity for an exchange of knowledge and experiences as well as strengthening the historic links between Wales and Patagonia.”
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