[International Exchange] Students participating in the French Exchange Program in the Fall semester of 2024 will return to their home countries

Starting in the fall semester of 2024, Moeka Fujimura (graduated March 2024), a fourth-year student Faculty of Architecture & Arts, who participated in the French exchange program, returned to Japan after completing her six-month art study abroad program. At the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, which is an overseas partner institution, she learned about painting and specialized techniques, as well as French. Below are some impressions from the participating students.

"During this study abroad period, I was able to gain many things that I would not normally be able to have. During my school life, I interacted with many Beaux-Arts students and created wonderful memories, making it a very fulfilling study abroad period. As soon as I arrived in Paris, I went to an art supply store. The art supply store I visited had sales floors from the first basement floor to the third floor, and sold a variety of art supplies that you would never see in Japan. I was so engrossed that I lost track of time, and was amazed at the number of art supplies there were in France.
In each class, we had a critique session on the works we created and received advice from our teachers. I was inspired by the advice from my teachers and the comments from my fellow students. Outside of class, I did my assignments in the school library and created works in the atelier. I also visited the Musee D'orsay and Monet's house, and actively explored the area to improve my sense of color and technique. The language barrier was a struggle. I studied French and English before going abroad to prepare, but the procedures for dormitories and bank accounts were complicated, and it was difficult to communicate as I wanted. I didn't give up, but continued to practice speaking English and French while trying to say what I wanted to say and making friends with international students and communicating with them. I think I was able to understand little by little, and I was able to express my own opinions.
Finally, what I would like to utilize in the future after completing my study abroad is to further hone my printmaking skills and continue to create works that incorporate effects and expressions from diverse values and perspectives. I would like to utilize my experiences and learnings from studying abroad to learn about the cultures and techniques of various countries and develop my own artistic activities.

Fujimura-san, please do your best. I'm rooting for you.

(Source: Global Center)