On exchange in Seoul: from glassblowing to Korean art history

In her third year as a Graphic Design student at the ArtEZ Academy of Art & Design Zwolle, Esmee van der Plas headed to the other side of the world, ready to immerse herself in a new culture and a completely different educational experience. In September 2023, she swapped her routine in the Netherlands for an adventure at Korea National University of Arts in Seoul, South Korea.

Before leaving, Esmee made a top three of partner institutions she was interested in. She carefully considered the different options and eventually chose South Korea because of its fascinating culture. An important step in this process was preparing a portfolio. "In order to be admitted to the institution of your choice, a good portfolio is important", says Esmee. "A good portfolio can consist of work you have made in your free time, such as illustrations and projects in Adobe software, but also relevant courses, or something else you're proud of that gives a good impression of who you are and where you stand."

Support from ArtEZ

“With the support of ArtEZ, I was able to get the most out of my exchange", says Esmee. “ArtEZ gives students a list of things that need to be taken care of ahead of the exchange, such as visa, accommodation and insurance policies. That helps enormously when planning and organising your trip. It makes sure you head off properly prepared." She also took advantage of the scholarship which ArtEZ offers for students who want to study within or outside Europe.

Language barriers

The adventure wasn’t without its challenges. In Seoul, where she didn't speak the language, Esmee had to adjust to a new form of education. "What I didn't know beforehand is that a lot of the lecturers don't speak English. Since Korean is most students' native language, the classes are also in Korean," she points out. "That took some getting used to in the beginning, and there were times when I thought ‘oh no, what have I gotten into’. But ultimately, it produced something special. The language barrier actually created much more connection, because people do genuinely want to help you."

A broader perspective on the world of design

Esmee's days were filled with a wide range of subjects, from glass-blowing to Korean competitive dancing and art history. She deliberately chose subjects for which language was less important. "What I really enjoyed was the glass-blowing. It turns out that's really a thing there." Graphic design is a broad subject in which you can employ all kinds of different techniques and art forms. “Glass-blowing offered me a completely new technique to explore as a designer. The art history classes focused on the sources of inspiration for Asian artists in the past. I learned all kinds of new techniques and skills, improved my communication skills and also developed a broader perspective on the world of design. All of that helped me to grow as a graphic designer."

Growing, exploring and making new friends

For Esmee, the exchange was not only a deep dive into her discipline, it was also an opportunity for personal growth, exploration and making new friends. "For example, I learned to stand up for myself, which is something I'll have to do in the future as a designer, too. My personal growth was absolutely enormous", Esmee observes. “An exchange is really valuable ”, says Esmee. "You're not just studying, you're also exploring a whole new culture. And in between times, you have enough time to discover the country and do some more travelling."

Returning to South Korea

And the future? It is brimming with new opportunities. "In the fourth year, we have to do an internship and ideally I'd like to go back to South Korea. I really enjoyed it; it was a great experience", she adds enthusiastically. "I would like to do an internship with a marketing company. I might want to set up my own business after graduating, so it would be very helpful to see how that works during an internship." What advice does she have for others considering taking that leap? "Don't be afraid to ask for help. Be open to what happens. Don't try to nail everything down beforehand, just enjoy the moment."

Learn more about the Graphic Design bachelor's course in Zwolle