Studying in Napier, Edinburgh

- Justinas Cekaukas 

To study in a foreign country and experience it‘s culture, people and the teaching methods was always one of those things that were tempting me to leave my home country. When I got the opportunity to study in Denmark, I packed my bags in a blink of an eye and went there not thinking twice about it.

Thus far I have no regrets of making this step. However, I knew my experiences will not end with this country. When I heard that our school in Denmark can give a chance for students to get design skills in other countries, I was the first one on the list.

In the heart of Scotland

Getting the Erasmus grant was a wonderful surprise and a chance to experience the diversity of a culture and people I never had a chance to do. And there I was in the heart of Scotland, in the town that instantly became my favorite.

Not only because of its unique architecture, its remarkable nature, its kind and helping people, its warm atmosphere, distinctiveness, student body, but also because of the exposure to different teaching methods and environment of different graphic design traditions.

A wonderful opportunity

Erasmus program has opened a wonderful opportunity to receive knowledge and share it with peers from international backgrounds. I have realized that it is important not only what you can get from the lectures and class discussions, but also what contribution you can give to others.

A change to cultural exchange

Going abroad got me exposed to even bigger international student body, where students came from countries I had never had a chance to communicate with. This kind of environment gave me the necessary motivation and enrichment of personal and professional gain. Getting the grant was the chance to get the cultural exchange I’ve might not have gotten otherwise.

Professional and creative growth

Studying in Scotland and experiencing the culture has not only broaden my worldview, but has also helped me to develop the experience in cultural diversity and people’s behavior.

This exchange has contributed to my professional and creative growth which has helped me to excel not only in the field of graphic design, learn new mediums like 3D but also gain knowledge of how to be a successful designer in a harsh and constantly changing graphic design market.

Unforgettable visits

All that I have hoped and expected from this (even if it was only one Semester) short visit abroad came with a big baggage of satisfaction and an increase of data in the contact book.

The unforgettable visits to the remarkable views of Scotland’s and England’s mountains left a footprint so deep it would require a decade to remove it. However, the mountains didn’t leave that much of a foot print, as the educational development and my own development not only as a better person but also as a more qualified designer did.

I will always be grateful for Erasmus program that it helped me and helps other students to go where they always wanted and experience a different culture not only through the human factor but also through the taste of an unique academic life.