Difference between revisions of "2020 - Student Exchange Report - The Animation Workshop - Bieri Lukas"

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(Created page with "Exchange semester at TAW, Denmark (2021) Lukas Bieri All in all, my experience at The Animation Workshop was good, although quite different from what I expected because of Co...")
 
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In general, I felt very welcomed by the students. This was important for me because there was no exchange-specific information or events at the beginning. Luckily, my classmates at the workshop were so helpful and friendly that I didn't have much trouble fitting in and finding my way around campus.  
 
In general, I felt very welcomed by the students. This was important for me because there was no exchange-specific information or events at the beginning. Luckily, my classmates at the workshop were so helpful and friendly that I didn't have much trouble fitting in and finding my way around campus.  
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[[File:2020_TheAnimationWorkshop_LukasBieri_02.png|center|thumb|800x600px]]
  
 
Because of Corona, it was not possible to take courses in the second year while helping with the final film projects in the third year, as it was originally planned. I ended up being fixed on a final project in the third year and was not able to take classes in the second year. This limited the learning experience. In addition, I spent 90% of the time in the exchange in my shared apartment and worked remotely. This made it difficult to achieve the learning goals I had personally set and to socialize. Nevertheless, I was able to learn new things, just different than expected (or hoped).  
 
Because of Corona, it was not possible to take courses in the second year while helping with the final film projects in the third year, as it was originally planned. I ended up being fixed on a final project in the third year and was not able to take classes in the second year. This limited the learning experience. In addition, I spent 90% of the time in the exchange in my shared apartment and worked remotely. This made it difficult to achieve the learning goals I had personally set and to socialize. Nevertheless, I was able to learn new things, just different than expected (or hoped).  

Revision as of 13:54, 11 October 2021

Exchange semester at TAW, Denmark (2021) Lukas Bieri

All in all, my experience at The Animation Workshop was good, although quite different from what I expected because of Corona. But let me begin with saying that TAW is an amazing place to go to for an exchange! The people are very knowledgeable, easy-going, and sweet. Viborg itself is a very cute little town (even though pretty remote). It’s embedded in beautiful nature and next to two lakes. The school’s buildings are made from red bricks and create a nice atmosphere (inside and outside).

In general, I felt very welcomed by the students. This was important for me because there was no exchange-specific information or events at the beginning. Luckily, my classmates at the workshop were so helpful and friendly that I didn't have much trouble fitting in and finding my way around campus.

2020 TheAnimationWorkshop LukasBieri 02.png

Because of Corona, it was not possible to take courses in the second year while helping with the final film projects in the third year, as it was originally planned. I ended up being fixed on a final project in the third year and was not able to take classes in the second year. This limited the learning experience. In addition, I spent 90% of the time in the exchange in my shared apartment and worked remotely. This made it difficult to achieve the learning goals I had personally set and to socialize. Nevertheless, I was able to learn new things, just different than expected (or hoped).

I would recommend future exchange students not to work full time on the final projects, but to attend lectures of the second year if possible (as it was originally planned for my exchange). In many ways, I felt like I needed more practice in a school setting, while working on the final project felt more like working in industry.

I was very pleasantly surprised at how quickly TAW adjusted to the Corona situation. There was a downtime of about two weeks (which, to be honest, I really enjoyed because it allowed me to work on some personal projects for a change). But after that, everything worked very well, and the communication between the project team and the mentors and coordinators was active and helpful.

Sitting in a shared apartment in a foreign country with two (almost) strangers for half a year was not an easy situation for me. I felt lonely a lot of the time and wanted to meet people, do things, and attend second-year lectures to build my skills. Most of that didn't come to fruition. Instead, I learned how to handle difficult situations, work from home, and better recognize problems in my own animation and that of other people. I also think I got better at group communication, even if it was a bit painful through zoom and with people I hardly knew.

Some general head-ups for people who plan on going: - Be aware that there are high monthly material fees that Animation Workshop will not inform you about in advance. - The classes are completely in English, but all invoices and other documents are in Danish. Ask your fellow students if you don't know something, they can often help you. - The school informs you about important things, but it is possible that small things are forgotten. There is no real mode for exchange students, you have to get information yourself and settle in on your own. However, your fellow students will be happy to help you!

All in all, I would do the exchange again, even with Corona. The month we spent at the school was very interesting, I talked to a lot of people. Working from home was still a good experience, and I'm glad to have been part of this team and this production. It was a challenge for me to keep up, but I'm glad I did it and felt needed.