What do you like about the programme and why?
I like the relationship with lecturers, it really does feel like we are on the same level of just being people who want to learn, discuss, educate themselves and others, research and are not afraid to make mistakes or not understand something sometimes. I enjoy this because this makes me see that as much as these studies are for myself, the end result of any discussion, analysis research affects others too. I also really like that we each have our mentors, because even if they are not an expert in every concern, or question we have, they will always know somebody and will help out any way they can. In relation to my previous education, the first challenge is studying in English, as I did my Bachelor's degree in Latvian. However, there is a special course made for advanced academic communication that helps to tackle the insecurities that one has in relation to, for example, writing in English.
What do you think about the atmosphere in class?
At first I was warned that the atmosphere could be quite competitive and that it should not be discouraging (because I do not think it is healthy to constantly compare yourself to others, I am studying and advancing for myself and this is my path that should not and cannot be similar to someone else's). However, I was very happy to find out that my peers are very friendly and same as me: everyone is oriented to progress in their own pace and understanding. I also like the diversity of our HLCS group. We have our 'small' classes where it is just the students of Art and Visual Culture track where we converse very freely. Moreover, there are subjects together with students from Historical and Literary Studies, where through mutual respect and understanding we feel free to discuss any wild idea we have, as well as express our opinion and confusion at times.
What do you find most challenging in your Master’s?
A challenge for me has been the study load, however, it is what I signed up for and with the lecturers being very open and forthcoming it is easier to cope with how much one has to do in this programme. I also struggled a bit with finding courses for my individual study programme, because as an international student, it was at first quite hard to grasp how to manage everything and where to even look for courses. However, my mentor and other people helped me out and I understood that it is okay, to be confused, one just has to stay calm and everything can be arranged in a way that the studies are enjoyable. Because it is sometimes quite hard to choose courses without feeling like - what if I choose the wrong one? In the end, I understood that there are no wrong ones, any course I'm taking ends up teaching me something, even if is the pure fact that I am not interested in certain topics, subjects.
Why do you think is it important that there are people out there with this degree?
I believe that it is important to have people with this degree because these people are the ones that are equiped to analyse anything visual on the level that others can only 'feel' it. This programme gives the tools to understand what you see on a deeper level, but it also makes sure that you can always find the right words to explain it to others. For what I want to do after I receive my diploma, I am not completely sure yet, however, right at this moment I would like to do a PhD and become a lecturer.