Aubrey Borschke is currently doing her fourth year of Arts and Design Degree at STAMPS School of Art and Design at the University of Michigan. She joined the Creative Industries London module and then went on to study on the Graphic Design course at Camberwell College of Arts alongside UAL degree seeking students in Spring 2024.
How was studying abroad in London? What is your favourite thing about the city?
My favourite part of studying abroad in London was being surrounded by inspiration. The free exhibitions and museums are perfect places to spark creativity for projects. Even the parks, cafes, and markets are artsy spots that encourage you to think outside the box. Being in London fuelled my desire to create and motivated me to use my surroundings to produce my best art. In addition to its creativity, London was an exciting city to live in. I loved exploring its theatres, shopping streets, restaurants, and pubs. There's always something happening in London, making it impossible to ever feel bored.
What is your favourite memory of studying abroad?
My favourite memory from studying abroad was our final exhibition. Although it was bittersweet because it marked the end of our classes, it was incredibly rewarding to see both my work and my classmates' work on display. The exhibition team and I curated a distinct identity and set up for the show. Once everything was in place, the venue looked highly professional. I was proud that my classmates and I were able to put on such a polished event. My favourite part of the exhibition was leaving and receiving compliment cards on each other’s projects. I decided to save the cards to revisit the kind comments and remember the friendships that I formed abroad.
What did you think of your Creative Industries London module?
The Creative Industries London module was the perfect way to begin my study abroad experience. My tutors took us to various locations around London to view the art. The course focused on how businesses harness creativity, which taught us how to navigate the art world through a more corporate perspective. The course not only immersed me in the city's vibrant art scene, but also introduced me to some of my closest friends. I was nervous about being in a new place where I knew no one, but I quickly connected with others who were in the same situation. Our shared classes and excitement about exploring a new city helped us bond quickly. The Creative Industries London module was the best introduction to UAL and London.
What did you enjoy about your integrated classes?
My integrated classes challenged me to view graphic design from a fresh perspective. Rather than sticking to the usual process of drafting ideas and reaching a final conclusion, my tutors encouraged me to explore unconventional routes. I experimented with new materials and methods. This taught me to value the process and the ideas that emerged along the way over the final result. We even submitted a process book along with our final project, which further proved that experimentation must be explored. Art is full of trials, and I appreciated that my classes celebrated and learned from the errors that were made along the way.
Can you tell us about a project you were particularly excited about?
For our final project, we created an artificial intelligence chatbot. I was intrigued to work with Ai, as it's currently a major topic discussed in the art world. This project was my first experience with coding and so initially I struggled a lot. I had to constantly check for small errors in my code and learn tips to make the coding process easier. Thankfully, my tutor was incredibly patient and supportive towards me and my many questions. All of the effort and time I invested in the project made seeing the final outcome incredibly rewarding. The chatbot is unlike anything I have ever made, and it has motivated me to continue experimenting with Ai tools.
Why did you choose UAL Study Abroad?
UAL first caught my eye because of its location in London, a city I've always dreamed of visiting. Once I started to research more, I discovered that UAL offered several educational study abroad video chats to address questions. I joined one of the sessions and was warmly welcomed by the smiling study abroad team. Their enthusiastic responses to all of my questions ignited my excitement about the prospect of becoming a UAL student. After the call, I was determined to complete my application.
How do you think your study abroad experience will help you with your future endeavours?
The technical art skills and helpful feedback from my tutors will definitely help me with my future endeavours. More importantly, the experience challenged me to grow as an individual. I had never lived in a different state or country from my family and friends. Suddenly, I had to adjust to a completely different lifestyle all on my own. I was nervous that the shift would be too drastic, and I would regret going abroad, but I embraced it. I became much more confident in myself and my abilities. This personal growth will help me a ton in the future.
What is the most valuable thing you learnt from the experience?
The most valuable lesson I learned from my study abroad experience was to say yes to everything. I did not want to have any regrets, so I said yes to every opportunity that was presented to me. I attended extra classes, lectures, and social events. Each opportunity was worth it and either taught me something valuable or introduced me to people who could further help me. I ended up having a ton of fun trying things that I would normally not do. I discovered that I need to continue saying yes to the chances that I am given because everything is worth the effort and will benefit me in some way.
Is there anything you want to share with future study abroad students?
Future students will love UAL’s excellent facilities, supportive tutors, and friendly classmates. I was initially worried about finding my place, but I was pleasantly surprised at how well I fit in. I have nothing but good things to say about UAL.
Would you recommend the experience at UAL?
I highly recommend studying at UAL. London is one of the best places to pursue art. I had the most amazing six months, and I hope others have the chance to have the same experience that I did.
