Glen Ross – Level 3 – Film & Media
I’m currently studying Film and Media which I continue to enjoy and when the opportunity to study abroad came along last year, I thought it would only help increase my passion for film and media and production by learning how it is approached differently abroad and gain new perspectives on the film industry at large.
Upon my arrival at the on-campus accommodation at AUT I was welcomed and introduced to all the differing buildings they had across their campus within Auckland. Within the week the accommodation team at Wellesley organised various activities for everyone to participate in and get to know other students, most of which I would discover were in a similar position to myself. The activities ranged from painting pottery to a large-scale inter-accommodation sports day. This really helped me gain more confidence and meet new people as we were all in the same boat and everyone was really friendly and also wanted to meet new people. These activities also gave me an opportunity to get to know some of my new flatmates better as it was an accommodation-based activity, despite half of my flat not having arrived yet we all managed to get on well and got to know each other better, which only improved the atmosphere in the flat from what was already at a great position.
Having already selected my modules with help from Mark Percival as these had to be pre-approved, I had a rough idea of what my classes would involve. Most of these classes upon sitting them the first week went well, however there was a class that I had chosen that required a prerequisite module of which students were carrying on work from within this class, the work that was being carried over was finished films from the previous semester. Due to the structure of the class solely being those with a director role in their projects, as well as me not knowing anyone within the degree yet to create a group and the time strain this would no doubt create, I chose to leave the class and change over to another. It was frustrating that this module was presented to me as an option as I was joining halfway through a process that could not feasibly be made up for in the time I had and the position I was in at the time. However, the student team at AUT managed to change my module with ease and I started a new class, albeit two weeks late yet this proved to not be an issue.
On a similar note I had unknowingly chosen a class that was at a higher level than was expected of me to be performing at, I discussed this with the lecturer of the module and we decided that I would continue to sit it as they had confidence in my abilities, luckily this proved to be true as I passed the module.
Whilst in Auckland I was able to explore a new city and country which was exciting, during the induction process at AUT I got to partake in a Pōwhiri, which is a Māori ceremony to welcome people into a Marae this was done for new students to AUT as we were welcomed to the University. Following this we were led to the on-campus Marae in which we were told about the history of the structure and its cultural significance.
Overall, my experience at AUT and in Auckland taught me many new skills, having not moved out of my childhood home prior to this, as well as how to manage studies and give myself time to explore Aotearoa, New Zealand. I would like to thank Santander for the funding I received as I otherwise would have found it a lot more difficult to enjoy my time in Aotearoa, New Zealand as the funding covered my flights and accommodation meaning I then had more funds to travel around the country and overall have a better experience.
