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As a child I loved watching animated films from around the world. They opened my eyes to how big and full of different cultures our planet is, and in a way changed my life.

While I used to draw and try to animate at home in Romania, there weren’t really professional courses available, and so I concentrated on studying English and Philosophy. That was until I met a representative from the UoP animation department at an education fair in Bucharest. They told me all about the course and the facilities available…finally I’d found my chance.

I didn’t think it would be easy though. Romania is not a rich country and I am not from a rich family, so thinking about the financial implications of studying in the UK made me quite nervous. All that changed when I discovered how many university loans and grants were available for overseas students. I applied for everything, got accepted and that was it, I was off! I couldn’t believe it.

Similarly the course itself was really diverse and you could explore what was right for you. Prior to studying I’d only drawn at home, but within a year I’d learnt all the basics of animation and in creating concept art had even found which part of the industry was right for me.

ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï also arranged an internship for me at Advocate Art in Worthing, where I illustrated children books. During my time there I made real industry contacts and managed to gain my first freelance clients, so I came out of the internship with not only experience but paid gigs. Not bad for only having been in the UK for under two years.

A lot of people have big ideas of what they want to do, but don’t follow through with them. You have to at least try… I promise it’s worth the effort.