My Unexpected CV
Before arriving in the UK, I imagined that doing a MA degree would mainly involve attending lectures, studying a great deal and submitting assignments. (Of course, that is the main part.) But it didn’t take me long to discover that British university life extends far beyond the lecture theatre.
Studying for a MA in Art History and Curating at the University of Birmingham meant (fortunately) that the museum literally became our classroom. We went on group trips to various museums, such as the Courtauld Gallery and the Birmingham Museum of Art and Gallery, and had lessons right in front of the very artworks we were studying. After so many years of learning art history through books and photographs, being able to discuss and analyse a piece that was right in front of us was one of my favourite moments.
I attended talks where lecturers shared the results of their research and took part in activities organised by our own department. I even took part in a Christmas quiz organised by the Department of Art History, Curatorial Studies and Visual Studies. My team came second! The prize? A box of Oreo biscuits and a giant chocolate bar!
I also discovered that the UoB was the perfect place to try things I’d never done before. I signed up for climbing classes, took part in activities organised by the Japan Club and learnt how to make mochi, went to events where I learnt things like making Christmas decorations, painting, making bracelets or decorating plant pots, and attended the Student Union’s FAB parties. Some activities allowed me to discover new interests, whilst others simply gave me the chance to meet loads of people.
Even my student accommodation had its own exclusive events. At Shackleton, they organised several fairs with fairground rides, doughnuts, ice cream and burgers. I also visited the university’s Christmas market and discovered that the campus can be completely transformed depending on the time of year.
Before I came, I was really worried about what the structure of the classes would be like and whether I’d be able to keep up with the academic pace. I wish I’d known that studying at a British university doesn’t mean spending all your time between a lecture theatre and the library. Some of my fondest memories are of standing in front of a work of art, hanging like a monkey from a climbing wall, trying to make mochi, or discussing absurdly important answers with my team during a Christmas quiz.
The master’s degree taught me a great deal about Art History and Curating, but the university also gave me something I hadn’t expected: a space where I could continue learning even when I wasn’t in class.
- Fernanda Lorena
