I am a 20-year-old Vietnamese student currently studying BA (Hons) Animation Production at Arts University Bournemouth. My background is rooted in illustration, beginning with a Foundation year at AUB.
Before leaving my home country to study abroad, I was not particularly worried. In fact, I felt more excited than uncertain, as I had a full year to prepare for the move. The only concerns I had were whether the student accommodation would be comfortable and whether I would be able to adapt to the much colder weather in the UK.
My journey of choosing a university was very stressful. Studying abroad, especially in an art-related field, is rarely a straightforward path. I initially applied to several art-focused universities in different countries, including AUB. During this process, I carefully considered factors such as university rankings, tuition fees, and alumni outcomes to understand each institution’s reputation within the art community.
I later discovered AUB through my mentor in Vietnam, who introduced me to its Foundation course specialising in art and design. After reviewing the course modules, I realised that the programme was highly experimental and strongly focused on self-directed learning, which was exactly what I was looking for.
I enjoyed the Foundation course much more than I expected. When I think back to that time, I remember wanting to skip the Foundation year and move straight into the first year of the degree. However, if I had the chance to go back in time, I would still choose to study the Foundation course. Unlike many other Foundation programmes, this course specialises in art and design, allowing me to explore other specialisms before starting to get into one to build a portfolio. I was picking illustration at that time since my portfolio was rooted in illustration.
I really appreciated the balance between learning within my specialism and having the freedom to explore and conduct research for my own projects. One key difference from how I approached art previously was the emphasis on reflective writing. Reflection was not only about describing what I did and what I learned, but also about evaluating my work, identifying new techniques, and applying that learning to future projects. Through this process, AUB taught me that creative practice is not just about completing individual projects, but about developing through an ongoing artistic journey.
It was largely because of my Foundation year that I decided to continue my studies at AUB. I had a dedicated tutor who consistently supported me and took a genuine interest in my creative process. Through this year, I also made friends who I truly enjoyed spending time with, which helped me feel comfortable and supported. This experience made me feel that I was in an environment where I could always reach out for help and feel genuinely cared for by others.
One of the most convenient aspects of studying at AUB is how easy it is to find a sense of community. Many overseas students worry about feeling lonely or struggling to make friends due to cultural differences. However, because AUB is a creative environment made up largely of art and design students, building relationships and connections feels much more natural.
This strong community also makes it easier to stay informed about the creative industries and to learn from one another across disciplines. For example, through conversations with students from different courses, I learned that developing a game concept involves more than just character design or game mechanics. It also requires knowledge of interior design, textiles design for character clothing, and critical storytelling through writing. This experience showed me that learning at AUB is not limited to a single course but is enriched through collaboration and shared knowledge.
I have just finished my first term on BA (Hons) Animation Production, during which we learned a great deal in a short amount of time. We began by working with traditional materials – this approach was challenging, much more difficult than animating digitally as we relied solely on paper, pencil, and a light tester to check our animations. However, I thoroughly enjoyed this process, as it felt like learning how to build animation from the ground up.
I also had the opportunity to work on my first animation project as part of a team, creating a brand advertisement. Although our tutors were not directly involved, we learned a great deal by drawing on each other’s experiences and skills to produce the final product. It was a highly valuable experience for me, as it taught me the importance of collaboration and applying different perspectives to creative work.
Most of my free time during the academic year is spent on weekends and during holidays. On weekends, I usually choose to spend time with friends, as the time is limited. I often go to pubs or clubs with friends to dance, listen to music, or simply talk about what happened during the week. The nightlife in the UK is very diverse and lively. Sometimes when I need some quiet atmosphere, visiting museums or spending time in parks is also a great option. These spaces are especially valuable for art research and life drawing practice, making them both relaxing and creatively productive.
I believe that AUB is a really good university. For international students, moving to a new country involves adapting to a new environment, meeting new people, and learning unfamiliar systems. Having a place where support is always accessible makes this transition much easier. AUB provides dedicated assistance for international students, including help with healthcare, accommodation, and visa-related matters. The University also has a building specifically for international students, where support is readily available whenever needed.
In terms of academic support, student services are available to help arrange schedules and provide guidance for research beyond class time. Overall, this strong support system helps international students feel more secure and focused on their studies.
