Slovenian Sara is graduating this summer and chose to spend her last semester in Denmark as an exchange student at the Film and Transmedia Storytelling with AI programme at VIA.
“I came late, because I had surgery right around study start, so I was concerned that I would be a bit behind, not just in class, but also socially, getting to meet everyone. But everyone was so kind and welcoming even though I was late”, Sara says.
She goes on to explain that she chose the programme, because she already had an interest in AI from her dad: “I was getting into AI myself, especially because my dad also jumped on that bandwagon a long time before it became mainstream. So, it has always been something that I knew was going to end up being really significant, so I wanted to get a head of that development. I could tell that this was a pioneer programme, where you would be the first to create something with this technology. That intrigued me”.
New tools unlock new potential
Additionally, Sara sees artistic potential in artificial intelligence. “None of us really expected how quickly AI got involved with art. I think that was kind of the last thing people thought. Instead of fearing it, I wanted to test it out myself and see how it can help me, because I’m not that talented in the artistic field. AI could help me make all animated films for example – maybe not right now, but once the technology matures. Suddenly, I have possibilities that I did not think were open to me.”
At the Film AI programme, Sara did not learn about specific AI tools or programmes but rather learned about how to approach AI. As she points out, “We were told many times in class: “The tools will change”. Knowing how to prompt, communicate your thoughts and think like AI are the tools I will take with me from this course, and they will be useful even as the technology changes and develops.”
Cultural shock, in a good way
Sara is quite the traveller and have lived and studied in several countries but had never been to Denmark before doing her exchange.
“I had a lot of cultural shocks coming here – all positives! The student society is very open in general and towards international students, and there are lots of things going on. I have nothing but positive things to say about the study environment and that goes for the teachers as well.”
There is one thing in particular Sara noticed about Danish culture that is different from what she has been used to: “There is something about trust in Denmark. There is a lot of trust in the students. Teachers treat us like adults and expect us to take responsibility for our own teaching, which I really appreciate”.
She also had time to enjoy the city of Aarhus, where she took lots of walks in the parks and spent time going to jazz performances. “It feels like I needed to be here longer to join in all the cool events. There is something for everyone – also people who wants to party, but that is not really my style.”