BA (Hons) Animation and international student Ceylin Pelister from Turkey, gives us an insight on what it is like to study at Leeds Arts University, how she has settled into living in Leeds and meeting friends here that she 'will never forget'...
Why did you choose to study at Leeds Arts University?
Leeds Arts University was always my first choice when I applied to study at university. I’d heard really good things about Leeds as a city and the student life it has to offer. I also had the option to study the Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, however Leeds Arts University offered me a place on the BA (Hons) Animation course and I was ready to get stuck in!
Image: Courtesy of Ceylin Pelister
Tell us which resources and facilities you use the most, and how they help you develop your practice.
Before studying BA (Hons) Animation I only knew how to draw traditionally, I’d never tried to draw digitally in my whole life. When my course first began we had Photoshop inductions and I learnt how to draw and animate digitally. It was amazing, every day I got better at using the equipment and drawing digitally. The specialist animation studios in the University helped me-to improve my digital skills a lot. Initially, learning how to use a Wacom Cintiq drawing tablet was very hard for me but I quickly saw improvement and development in my art. Right now, I am very proud of my digital drawings!
Why did you decide to study in the UK?
I always knew that the UK had lots to offer with regards to career opportunities in animation. When I finish my studies at Leeds Arts University, I will have an abundance of skills and opportunities to enable me to work in an animation studio in the UK.
Image: Courtesy of Ceylin Pelister
How has the University helped you to settle here?
Before I came to Leeds, I have never visited the UK so I was kind of scared of how things were going to be, but everything changed as soon as I enrolled and started university. We had an international ‘get together’ activity and that made me very comfortable because I got to know other international students like me. On that day I made friends that I would never forget. We have also been on trips and had fun activities with our class along with our tutors, so I settled in really easily.
Describe yourself in three words
I always found these questions very hard to answer because I am still learning about life and my thoughts are constantly changing, but right now I think I can say that I am a very passionate, cheerful and a happy-go-lucky person.
@theartofceylinHeader Image: Courtesy of Ceylin Pelister