#uestories

Linh

Linh, Illustration, University of Europe for Applied Sciences Berlin

Linh never imagined what new sides he would discover to his drawing style when he came to University of Europe for Applied Sciences! What this means to him and what his #uestory is: read here.

How did you come to University of Europe for Applied Sciences?                                                                                                                         

After graduating from high school, my uncle took me to Hoane Dinh, a visual arts professor. I had never thought about drawing before, but the professor fascinated me and it was a very intense and challenging experience.

I began the training to become a graphic designer in Germany soon afterward. That’s how I got my first insight into designing and I very quickly realized that I wanted to focus on that. Through the internet, I then found University of Europe for Applied Sciences and the right course of study, Illustration. My sister was already living in Berlin, so I packed my bags and moved into her place.

What makes our university special for you?

My professor, Hans Baltzer, began at the same time as I did. I liked him right from the start, and his style was my thing. My fellow students were all really good too. I interacted a lot with them all, and made many friends. Now they are my second family, we all rely on each other. We have a kitchen, do barbecues, and have parties.

The University of Europe for Applied Sciences motto is “Create your Story. Inspire the world.” Do you have a highlight story that has shaped you as a student?

I always wanted to draw academically perfectly, and digital drawing was my thing, or so I thought. In my six semesters studying Illustration there was one moment that I’ll never forget. We were given the task of drawing a calendar sheet. Hans Baltzer looked at my digital drawings and told me immediately that the image was lifeless. From that day on, I started to think differently. He gave me brush and ink. Using mood boards I learned to draw freely and now I can no longer even begin to think how to draw digitally.

Creativity without boundaries – How true is this for you and University of Europe for Applied Sciences?

I used to always want to be the best. Professor Anne-Christin Plate taught me that you do not always have to be the best, instead everyone is unique and should develop their own visual vocabulary. At University of Europe for Applied Sciences I have discovered so many new things, because I was able to try them out, and that way I found my own style.

It doesn’t really make sense otherwise, to first say you need a strong will, and then say you mustn’t always put yourself under pressure to want to be the best.

People like Steve Jobs or Nelson Mandela inspired the world and many people. What is your dream, with which you wish to inspire others?                                                       My dream, after completing my studies, is to start a workshop with friends, a large complex similar to an airport concourse. Each of us has 6 to 7 people and our own work corner to construct and design his or her own workplace, ride around on longboards, and in the middle there’s a big kitchen where we all meet.

Tomasso

Tomasso, Communication Design, University of Europe for Applied Sciences Berlin

Tomasso studies Communication Design at our university's Berlin campus. What makes the University of Europe for Applied Sciences and Berlin so special to him and which highlights did he have? Read here more!

How did you come to University of Europe for Applied Sciences?

On my travels, I met so many people and many of them told me how exciting Berlin was, so I went there. Friends of friends took me in as if we’d known each other for a long time. That is what I love about Berlin. It’s a special city that offers so much inspiration. Then I found University of Europe for Applied Sciences where I could start Design and Visual Arts and that was a great stroke of luck.

Why and what makes our university so special for you?

University of Europe for Applied Sciences pushed me. I mean that positively, because it’s good and important to be removed from your comfort zone and to learn new things. So I tread on an unfamiliar path. That is invaluable!

The University of Europe for Applied Sciences motto is “Create your Story. Inspire the world.” Do you have a highlight story that has shaped you as a student?

Oh, there are too many! Many small moments that form something very big. It is the combination of them all. People here do what they love to do, and you can feel it everywhere. University of Applied Sciences Europe offers you all the technical opportunities; you can try everything – that’s fantastic! The faculty does not dictate how you should express yourself, they only show you the possibilities. If you don’t find your own voice here, then you won’t find it anywhere.

Creativity without boundaries – How true is this for you and University of Europe for Applied Sciences?

Totally! We can switch classes and courses and drop in and experiment everywhere. In the studios, all the equipment one could ever imagine is available. But the best thing is the exchange programme and the fantastic network. My classmates come from everywhere. From Southeast Asia, to Europe, to America. It’s awesome and inspiring to live with these different cultures coming together. And you can go anywhere, anytime you want! As for me, I’m going to be in Jerusalem this coming semester – my big dream. I am already so excited about it!

Maren

Maren, alumna in Photography, graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in 2015

Why Maren gave up on business administration, her personal motto and some tipps for students: Read it here!

How did you come to study at University of Europe for Applied Sciences?

I had actually studied business. And I wasn’t bad at it at all, but it didn’t make me happy. Taking photographs and being creative, that was what I always wanted to do. One day, I came home from a lecture on controlling and decided that I had to do something else. A few weeks earlier I had visited the open campus day at University of Europe for Applied Sciences purely out of curiosity. A Bachelor’s student took me on a tour and showed me everything. That evening I went to the University of Europe for Applied Sciences website and saw that the deadline for applications was in two days. I worked on my portfolio day and night and sent it off. Then I was accepted! I happily ditched business studies and started to study photography. The best decision of my young life!

What do you remember most about how it started?

The time with Hans Grimmling – a very well-known painter – in the atelier at the beginning was the most intense. We were all very nervous, no one knew each other. But the time we spent there with him as a group brought us all together, and soon we were like a small family. It was nice and special, after spending time at university with hundreds of business students, to work with 10 or 15 people, chalk in hand in the atelier and to be able to call that studying. And everyone I talked to people, be it family, friends, or former classmates, they all said that I could finally do what I had already been doing during business studies lectures anyway legitimately now: draw, sketch, develop ideas.

What makes our university so special for you?

I have always tried to experiment as much as possible, and to think and work interdisciplinarily: Motion Design, Communication Design, and also a bit of Sound, I’ve absorbed it all like a sponge. That was possible at University of Europe for Applied Sciences.

The University of Europe for Applied Sciences motto is “Create your Story. Inspire the world.” Do you have a highlight story that has shaped you as a student?

One of the highlights was an exhibition with two courses at Kunstraum Bethanien Kreuzberg in my fourth semester. That semester we worked towards it and planned the exhibition with fellow students and professors. We all acted as one that semester. That was a wonderful feeling, to present your work to the wider public and receive direct feedback. The preview evening was a great experience and celebration for us.

Our university wants to encourage you to transcend borders, because creativity knows no borders. What was the most courageous thing you’ve done during school?

My Bachelor project. During it I really had to ask myself why I hadn’t looked for an ‘easier’ project. In 2014 I wore a VR headset for the first time, and I was immediately taken with it. Though everyone asked me why I, as a photographer, would want to focus on virtual reality. But I continued and persevered. That was one of the hardest half-year periods of my life, but I do not regret a single second of it. The challenge paid off: with the final work I was invited to the VR Vision Award in L.A. And I work with VR now, that is my job.

Is there a motto that describes your life?

We creative always carry a little existential fear in us. I freed myself from that from the beginning, because I told myself: if you love what you do, then you’re good at it. And if you’re good, then you can make a living from it.

What would you be your tip to students? What use should they make of UE? What should they look out for in their development?

Do lots yourself, take on everything that comes your way! Taking the initiative is the alpha and the omega, as your programme will be over quickly. I’m still sad to this day that I couldn’t do all the courses I wanted to do. UE gave me the framework to push myself. And you can do a lot in that time.

Did your goal change during school?

No. I had the goal and still do: to do what I really love doing as my job every day.

Joy

Joy, Photography, University of Europe for Applied Sciences Hamburg

Joy, 24, has been studying Photography at our university in Hamburg for one semester. In the interview she speaks about her choice of studies and big plans for the future.

Why did you decide on University of Europe for Applied Sciences?

Right from the start, I found the interdisciplinary courses really interesting. That way you don’t limit yourself to a particular field and you have the possibility of drawing inspiration from various different creative directions. Moreover, there are only a few universities that offer photography as an independent BA course, not just as an additional activity.

What was your first impression?

Very positive! The study environment is very pleasant because there are always only a very small number of students in one course. Because of this a very pleasant and personal relationship to your classmates and also to the faculty quickly develops.

Why study photography of all things?

Even as a child I loved to take photos and did it a lot. After I worked for five years as a buyer for trucking and logistics services, I wanted to take a more creative path. My previous profession didn’t challenge me enough and I told myself that a job in the creative sector would. What I particularly like about photography is capturing encounters and emotions and then being able to make them accessible to other people as well. To be able to give form to a situation in such a way that the person who views it understands it, even without a single word. To inspire, to give food for thought – photography enables me to portray part of what I see and feel.

What is the relationship to the faculty like?

In my opinion it could hardly be any better! Apart from the fact that the relationship is very personal and exceptionally friendly, you have a contact person at all times and you always get support when you ask for it. The faculty is accessible to us by e-mail at any time. Depending on the subject, you have a lot of freedom. In order to support your creative work, it’s more that advice is given rather than that a particular course of action is set.

What do you think of the practical relevance of the course?

My impression so far is that the course is sufficiently practical. Since with photography it’s more like a handicraft, I think it’s very good that the theoretical part doesn’t take up the bulk of the study time. Practical work will definitely make it easier for us students to begin our careers.

How would you describe our university?

University of Europe for Applied Sciences offers its students a personal environment for learning and for further creative development with very good professors. Here, you’re an individual and you’re also supported accordingly.