領 域 ： 写真
派遣元 ： 
イエテボリ大学写真学校
期 間 ： 2005.09.12 ～ 2005.12.20
In the fall of 2005 I got the chance to spend a term at Tokyo Zokei University as an foreign exchange student.
Japan has always felt like an exotic place to visit for me. Growing up with Super Mario Bros, gadgets of super technology and thrilling tales of Samurajs and Ninjas set a foundation of couriousity, that at some time just had to be experienced first hand. So when I got a chance to pioneer an exchange program between my school, the School of Photography at Goteborg University in Sweden and Tokyo Zokei University, I realized the time had come to finally experience it all for myself.
When going to a foreign country with a different culture and language it’s easy to feel very confused and lost. So upon arriving my first day at Tokyo Zokei University I didn’t know what to expect of my new school, but the very welcoming approach of Mr. Itsuro Yoneyama and his staff at the international office made me feel right at home.The friendly and helpfull atmosphere at Tokyo Zokei is something that have continued and really made an impression through my stay here. Both staff and students have made great efforts to make me feel more like a part of Tokyo Zokei than just a visitor.
As a photography student your work is as much based outside the university as inside of it. You spend a lot of time taking pictures and that of course is not limited to the university grounds. Coming into a new environment you find inspiration around every corner and by only walking down the street you’ve found a million reasons to take a picture. I have wondered around Tokyo countless of times just trying to absorb all its inspirational energy. Then going to class showing my pictures while looking and discussing fellow students work. Even though the work sometimes differ between us students I feel that Mr. Jun Shiraoka, my study professor, has given me expressional freedom to explore Tokyo on my own terms, which I found most giving. He also took his time to show me some interesting gallerys, exhibitions and restaurants to visit, which I really enjoyed. For me it’s these little things that together make up the greater expererience of being abroad.
A chance to, little by little, learn to know a new and interesting culture.
One other inspirational aspect for me in coming to Tokyo Zokei was the ability to choose courses from the many different departments of the university. My school at home is geared towards photo and visual arts so when I got a chance to sit in at some of Zokeis design classes it gave me an opportunity to expand my creative views a bit. Although somewhat restricted by the language barrier, because of my very limited abilities in the japanese language, I still feel that with some happy sign language and the kind translation help from students and teachers I picked up some new and valuable insights in a different field of creativity.
Finishing, I wan’t to give a big thanks to Mr. Jun Shiraoka and Mr. Itsuro Yoneyama who has been a shining guidance through my stay and gave us foreign students invaluable help in setting up our exhibition of mixed works at Kuwasawa Design School.
I will miss you all !!
Thomas
●東京造形大学およびこのサイトに関するご案内
学校法人桑沢学園 東京造形大学
