Inga Nospickel: My exchange year at TUAS

I came up with the idea of participating in a study exchange programme to escape another cold winter in Germany. Then I discovered the TUAS under the partner universities of my school and the animation programme attracted my interest instantly. And the past six months at the TUAS measured up all my expectations. I was quite lucky to arrive in a time, where a lot of different courses were offered, which were often held in English. So I had the possibility to attend very different courses in the field of film and media, for example drawn animation -techniques, 3D-animation, storytelling, camera and lighting. During the puppet animation production course I participated in a lot of stages of the process of an extensive animation production in a small group.

The exchange year gives me the possibility to improve my skills in the field of media and especially animation, a rare study programme, which – what I also appreciate – focusses on the traditional techniques. The teaching in small groups – mostly just about 15 people – seems very effective to me, because it allows a lot of interaction between the teacher und the students. It is very interesting to see which projects other students are realising and how they develop and approch their ideas.

It was not always easy without speaking Finnish, but I am very thankful for the helpfulness of the other students and the translation of the teachers, which only made possible this unique experience.