To express what I’ve learned during my placement in Finland in but a brief paragraph will prove to be a challenge, but I will do my best. I had the fortune to be placed right in the thriving capital of the country, Helsinki. A gorgeous city where old Finland met the new and they found harmony. Such a rich culture could only be truly experienced to the fullest in its largest city. As for my work placement at Espoo Museum of Modern Art I could not have been happier with it. It is the largest gallery space in Northern Europe. A vast collection of contemporary art to examine and appreciate while been given the opportunity to see how such work is handled, stored and documented. While learning how to make art on my course in GTI is very useful, this placement has shown me what happens to art once it leaves the hands of an artist. This is a view point we have not been presented with yet on my course, so it was interesting to begin to look at my work from this perspective. The space in which a piece of art is held and displayed is as equally important as the art itself. At EMMA I worked in many different areas of the complex. Photography, Electrics, Gallery Spaces, Storage, Acquisitions, Public Art and Public Relations. All of these areas were relevant to an artistic vocational area because the entire building was about art, and if one part failed it took away from the whole, including the art. It taught me that art cannot exist in a vacuum and must coexist with its surroundings, which is something I will consider in the future when I make work.
I had an amazing time on my Erasmus+ placement in Helsinki . I feel very lucky that I was able to avail of such an opportunity to not only experience short term living and working abroad, but also for the first time ever, to see first-hand what the everyday reality might look like if I am successful in the career I am aiming for within the fashion industry. I really have broadened my horizon thanks to this trip, developing my analytical and reflection skills as well as being able to make decisions in regards to my work through the guidance of our mentor Yat. It may have moved me ten steps forward mentally as a designer.
One thing that I would have changed though, is the length of time I had. Though some students might feel three weeks is too much time or just the right amount of time, I actually felt it was too short for a fashion internship and I would have benefited even more if it were extended. Overall though it has given me a real insight into the benefits of travelling abroad to develop my works and skills.
One thing that I would have changed though, is the length of time I had. Though some students might feel three weeks is too much time or just the right amount of time, I actually felt it was too short for a fashion internship and I would have benefited even more if it were extended. Overall though it has given me a real insight into the benefits of travelling abroad to develop my works and skills.
My work placement in Finland has been a great experience in so many different ways. I was able to live a day-to-day life in a completely different culture to the one in Ireland. While the quiet manner of the Finnish people seemed strange to me at first, I came to realise that silence means more time to think and that the Finnish say what's necessary, and focus on doing instead. From my perspective, the Finns do connect strongly with their environment. This seems reflected throughout Finnish society with its strong focus on design, innovation and civic engagement. In terms of work, this meant less talk and more hands on, learning by doing worked well for me. I was mainly based in a Textile Studio and this was a completely new and very empowering experience. I always saw crafts as a hobby more than a career option and spending time in the Textile Studio made me realise the possibilities within the vocational area of textile design and manufacture as well as the general design area.
I was able to apply my learned knowledge of form, colour and composition in a different field and was able to communicate through my work despite the differences in language. I met some lovely and very helpful people that were willing and delighted to share their knowledge and skills with me and I am very grateful for that. I have also gained many technical skills during my digital media based workdays and I have learned the basic steps in Photoshop and Illustrator and have been able to take and edit photos to create new work. These skills could become very useful in the future when taking photos of my own work but also as a tool for design and fine art.
Overall, my time in Finland has been very inspiring and enriching. All the great conversations with people about their and my culture and life in general, the landscape, the experience of true winter and the excitement of things such as ice-hole swimming or the sauna, will stay with me for a long time. One last thing I hope to carry with me is the Finnish term “Sisu”. It loosely translates as 'endurance, resilience, determination, perseverance or inner strength'.
I was able to apply my learned knowledge of form, colour and composition in a different field and was able to communicate through my work despite the differences in language. I met some lovely and very helpful people that were willing and delighted to share their knowledge and skills with me and I am very grateful for that. I have also gained many technical skills during my digital media based workdays and I have learned the basic steps in Photoshop and Illustrator and have been able to take and edit photos to create new work. These skills could become very useful in the future when taking photos of my own work but also as a tool for design and fine art.
Overall, my time in Finland has been very inspiring and enriching. All the great conversations with people about their and my culture and life in general, the landscape, the experience of true winter and the excitement of things such as ice-hole swimming or the sauna, will stay with me for a long time. One last thing I hope to carry with me is the Finnish term “Sisu”. It loosely translates as 'endurance, resilience, determination, perseverance or inner strength'.
From my Erasmus+ placement at designer fashion brand 2PR +BYYAT in Helsinki I have learnt so much about the fashion industry. My eyes have been opened to all of the roles a fashion designer plays. I have not only learnt about the creative and technical aspects of the job but about the business and commercial sides as well. With all of this new information I find it easier to visualise the kind of designer I would like to be and where I could see myself fitting into this extremely competitive industry.
I have also grown in confidence as I feel this experience along with the skill set I am developing in GTI, have hugely benefited me as well as giving focus to my creative thinking. I have gained a better understanding of the next steps I need to take to get to where I want to be professionally and I believe this experience will give me a better chance at securing a job or long term internship in the future.
I have also grown in confidence as I feel this experience along with the skill set I am developing in GTI, have hugely benefited me as well as giving focus to my creative thinking. I have gained a better understanding of the next steps I need to take to get to where I want to be professionally and I believe this experience will give me a better chance at securing a job or long term internship in the future.
I really enjoyed my time abroad in Finland. I feel like I gained a lot of life experience living over there for three weeks. Meeting new people who are from a different culture the language and the overall place in finland which was completely different from ireland. What i can take back to ireland would be what i learned in class which is Mainly storyboards which is what i did while working in Vililla. I feel like i would be capable to go and work in another country again if needed by doing this placement.
Thanks to the Erasmus+ programme, I’ve come back to Ireland with valuable work and life skills. Working abroad in a country where English isn’t their first language was challenging but now I am more than confident to go to any non-English speaking country. The college where I was placed the co-workers were very quiet compared to us but I learnt how to approach them and build a friendship with them. I believe going on this Erasmus+ placement I have enhanced my job applications in more ways than one. I have learnt how to work in a professional studio, how to communicate with people who might not be as social as others and that I should be more confident in my own work. This placement has really opened my eyes into the ways I work and why I do things the way I do. There was a massive cultural difference between Ireland and Finland which was a shock but I feel I quickly adapted while still teaching them about Ireland and the way we are. I am truly thankful for this experience as I feel like I learnt so much work wise and experiencing this culture thought me a lot about how people are and why they are the way they are.
Without shadow of a doubt, the Erasmus+ experience of Finland has been one of the most worthwhile and beneficial things I’ve ever done as a student. With a culture in polar opposition to my own, the tremendous opportunities to meet new people and learn new things in a thriving industry and, unforgettably, the chance I was allowed to see a part of the world I had never considered before, my entire perspective on everything has been altered. Truly, the scenery, culture and even workplace attitudes I’ve now seen, have opened my mind to new ways of thinking, doing and looking at things.
In terms of overall professional styles, I can now see the vast benefit more organisation would have on my own work and I have already witnessed the positive effect that sharing ideas with a colleague can have on a project. The Erasmus+ programme has provided me with the experience, memories and knowledge of a lifetime and given me a leg up when I’m finally ready to join the workforce back home.
In terms of overall professional styles, I can now see the vast benefit more organisation would have on my own work and I have already witnessed the positive effect that sharing ideas with a colleague can have on a project. The Erasmus+ programme has provided me with the experience, memories and knowledge of a lifetime and given me a leg up when I’m finally ready to join the workforce back home.
It's quite difficult to really keep this short when reflecting on my experience. First and foremost the idea of being with roommates and living with people is a fresh experience for me. I live with my family so having to fend for myself is quite an daunting experience. Thankfully I had a good group of friends to go with and it wasn't nearly as bad. Although I kinda of wish I did more stuff by myself rather than following other's lead, I am still proud and I feel like I've learned a lot. To me it's things that lay in my subconscious rather than specific things I learned. I understand that I can be on my own and that I can achieve a lot more now.
In terms of work experience, my time at the studio was very good. Working on a big project and being part of a big team was a first for me, and I expected myself to be a lot more closed off than I was, I found myself adapting fairly quickly and being able to quickly get on with the project instead of feeling like I'm behind because I was "the new one". I feel like in the future this ability to quickly adapt is going to a huge advantage.
I think any Work Experience, and any work experience abroad is worthwhile for a person. It's hard to know how beneficial this Erasmus+ can be, but I have a feeling that it is a huge shiny thing that makes my resume more appealing to an employer. It helps me stand out a little bit more. Especially since I have barely really explored the world before Finland.
In terms of personal skills the biggest skill I've learned was my notebook. The one thing in my course that I'm weak at I think I have managed to excel in a very short amount time. To have to keep a journal and four pages a day of it, is a lot harder than it sounds, especially when it needs to be mostly visual. There isn't really that much things everyday that catch my attention, but I have somehow managed it and I am very happy that I have because I am very proud. It helped me a lot, as I've used it as an actual journal as well as a place to put some sketches in.
Overall, I feel like this trip to Finland is a huge step in my life, and I am so glad I did it. I would've regretted if I didn't go. Even if I may seem like it hasn't changed me, that's only the outside, because I do know it has, and with time, I will see the difference.
In terms of work experience, my time at the studio was very good. Working on a big project and being part of a big team was a first for me, and I expected myself to be a lot more closed off than I was, I found myself adapting fairly quickly and being able to quickly get on with the project instead of feeling like I'm behind because I was "the new one". I feel like in the future this ability to quickly adapt is going to a huge advantage.
I think any Work Experience, and any work experience abroad is worthwhile for a person. It's hard to know how beneficial this Erasmus+ can be, but I have a feeling that it is a huge shiny thing that makes my resume more appealing to an employer. It helps me stand out a little bit more. Especially since I have barely really explored the world before Finland.
In terms of personal skills the biggest skill I've learned was my notebook. The one thing in my course that I'm weak at I think I have managed to excel in a very short amount time. To have to keep a journal and four pages a day of it, is a lot harder than it sounds, especially when it needs to be mostly visual. There isn't really that much things everyday that catch my attention, but I have somehow managed it and I am very happy that I have because I am very proud. It helped me a lot, as I've used it as an actual journal as well as a place to put some sketches in.
Overall, I feel like this trip to Finland is a huge step in my life, and I am so glad I did it. I would've regretted if I didn't go. Even if I may seem like it hasn't changed me, that's only the outside, because I do know it has, and with time, I will see the difference.
I would highly recommend the Erasmus to anyone, it was an amazing and unique experience. I would also recommend Finland to anyone it was an amazing country I met lovely people did some amazing work and all round had an brilliant time.
My experience in Pori has been a great eye opener and an experience I will never forget. I feel the placement has built up my confidence in the animation area and to not be afraid to try something new. I have learned a great amount of skills while on my placement. I have also built strong relationships with class mates and have made friends in Pori. I also have made contacts that will help me in the future in the animation business. I really enjoyed working in an animation studio and also learning from a different culture. It was a genuinely once in a lifetime opportunity to experience and I am very grateful to have been chosen to do it. I would recommend anyone to put themselves forward for this opportunity as it will make you more confident and help you grow as a person.
I found the Erasmus+ placement highly beneficial. This trip was only my second time abroad, and it was a brand new experience for me. We were way up north where it was always snowing and the people were quiet and reserved, yet friendly! If ever we needed anything, all we had to do was ask.
Our workplace itself was a small building with some great facilities and equipment. We got hands-on experience using Cintiq drawing tablets and Mac computers. We worked on our own animation projects, did print-making and life drawing. The staff at were very accommodating and we could always ask for help if we ever had an issue or needed advice. Our group also worked on a blog which was a great team-building exercise.
After taking part in the Erasmus+ programme, I feel more confident in myself. I learned to adjust to being so far away from home. I learned how to communicate with people who don’t always speak the same language as me. I learned a lot about the culture, the food, the music. Because of this placement, I have an itch to travel, something I never would have even thought about before!
Our workplace itself was a small building with some great facilities and equipment. We got hands-on experience using Cintiq drawing tablets and Mac computers. We worked on our own animation projects, did print-making and life drawing. The staff at were very accommodating and we could always ask for help if we ever had an issue or needed advice. Our group also worked on a blog which was a great team-building exercise.
After taking part in the Erasmus+ programme, I feel more confident in myself. I learned to adjust to being so far away from home. I learned how to communicate with people who don’t always speak the same language as me. I learned a lot about the culture, the food, the music. Because of this placement, I have an itch to travel, something I never would have even thought about before!
I really think that my Erasmus+ placement in Finland was an experience I’ll never forget. I learned so much and experienced so many new things on my journey, a lot more than I initially expected to.
Working abroad was strange for me at first, in this case mostly because I was in a predominantly Finnish-speaking workplace, I found the hours to be unusual (8am starts, lunch at 11am etc.) and the cold, snowy weather also factored into why it was all a bit different for me. It didn’t take long to adapt however, and within my first week I found myself confident at work and being chatty with the locals. I believe being in a new environment helped me become more productive. As an artist, unfortunately I sometimes find my work suffering from stagnation. On my Erasmus+ placement in Finland, I really think the change of scenery helped me see things a bit differently, and as a result I focused in on my work more, and produced better work in general. I have come home from my trip with an improved skillset and a new lease on life!
Working abroad was strange for me at first, in this case mostly because I was in a predominantly Finnish-speaking workplace, I found the hours to be unusual (8am starts, lunch at 11am etc.) and the cold, snowy weather also factored into why it was all a bit different for me. It didn’t take long to adapt however, and within my first week I found myself confident at work and being chatty with the locals. I believe being in a new environment helped me become more productive. As an artist, unfortunately I sometimes find my work suffering from stagnation. On my Erasmus+ placement in Finland, I really think the change of scenery helped me see things a bit differently, and as a result I focused in on my work more, and produced better work in general. I have come home from my trip with an improved skillset and a new lease on life!
I feel that going to Finland has taught me to be more independent and I feel a lot more confident going and communicating in foreign countries. I learned a lot of artistic skills including some techniques in printmaking and painting and some basics in animation. I really enjoyed my time in Finland and I feel I have learned a lot.