Arit Emmanuela
Etukudo

Can you tell us about your Masters project?
“My project, ‘Mother Tongue’, was created in response to the From Ear to Ear to Eye exhibition that was shown at Nottingham Contemporary. The work is an installation piece consisting of digital and sculptural work. It addresses the loss of language, and thus the loss of identity as well as the nonverbal languages that I have learned at different stages of my life.”

What do you enjoy most about your course at NTU?
“I enjoy the flexibility the course offers and the facilities that are provided.”

What made you choose to study at NTU?
“The Nottingham art scene and the reputation of the University made me choose to study here.”

How do you find the course staff?
“The staff on the course are very knowledgeable in their practices and are always willing to help students with whatever we need.”

What do you think about the facilities available to you?
“The facilities available are very useful and gives me access to learning new techniques and mediums that I can use to push myself creatively.”

As an international student, what do you like about studying and living in Nottingham?
“What I like the most about studying and living in Nottingham is the new world of opportunities that I have access to. Seeing and learning how people in different parts of the world operate also helps me during creation of new work since my work focuses on the idea of identities.”

Why would you recommend your course to someone thinking of studying it?
“The course has the right combination of structure and freedom that helps students push themselves to their furthest potential, while still having staff guidance.”

How do you think the course, and having a postgraduate qualification, will help you to progress your career?
“Having a postgraduate qualification will open up access to more opportunities that can help me career wise, as well as aiding me in advancing my artistic skills.”

How did you find out about the scholarship, and what other opportunities have you taken up as part of the scholarship scheme?
“I looked on the school’s website for funding opportunities. I have attended events for scholarship winners as well as the Scholarship Awards Evening.”

Questions about Arit's exchange to France:

Can you tell us more about your exchange to France?
“I spent half a year at École Supérieure des Beaux-Arts TALM in France on a third year art course. The course was very similar to the one I took at NTU, where it was mainly independent work that required some contact with tutors and technicians. I was able to make some friends while I was there, and go to some student parties and gatherings.

"Apart from that, I explored the city and travelled around France, and on other days, I stayed in and relaxed, while listening to the city outside my window. The highlight of my trip was when it came to exhibiting my work and getting feedback from the professors. It was nice to get an international perspective, and see what ideas people of different nationalities had on my work.”

Was there anything you were particularly worried about before leaving the UK, and any advice you’d give to future exchange students?
“I was most worried about not being fluent enough in French to understand everyone, which I was correct about. The first month was a bit hard because I was still getting used to hearing from and speaking with the natives, but everyone was very patient with me and would speak some English with me when they could. I’d advise any exchange students not to be afraid to ask people, especially professors, to repeat themselves or speak more slowly. I’d also say not to get too comfortable with finding people that speak English and only speaking to them, because that will hinder your ability to learn the language.”

What was the most valuable lesson you learnt whilst on your exchange?
“The most valuable lesson I learned was that of surviving in a country where I was not fluent in the language, or familiar with the culture. It gave me an insight into how people who live in countries where they do not speak their native language may experience certain things, or difficulties.”