Antonio Burón Frías:”This exchange pushed me out of my comfort zone and into a new culture, which will really help me in the future.”
Hello, my name is Antonio. I am a twenty years old Spanish student from Valladolid, a city in the north of Spain, although I currently study in Madrid, the capital, where I major in Illustration and Audiovisual Design. I have a great passion for traveling, photography, drawing, and animals.
I chose BGD (Gengdan Institute of Beijing University of Technology) because it has a large and modern campus, and it attracts professors from various countries who speak English, which was very important for me since I don’t speak any Chinese yet.
Discussion in class
Additionally, the university is located in Beijing, a vast city rich in history, and being the capital, I find some similarities between it and Madrid, another large capital with its own deep historical significance. I decided to pursue this exchange to learn more about a culture that is quite different from my own, and I also saw it as an excellent opportunity to enhance my resume.
Visit the Great Wall
Since arriving at BGD, my experience has been very positive. The support I’ve received from both my classmates and professors, as well as the International Office, has been outstanding. They’ve always been attentive and eager to help with any issues I may encounter.
with classmates
The campus facilities are excellent as well, offering a wide variety of food options in the canteen, laundry services, and even a swimming pool and gym, which I really enjoy using with my new Chinese friends. It’s been great to integrate into this environment and take advantage of everything the campus has to offer.
Physical exercise
During my time here, I’ve been assigned a fantastic tutor who helps me navigate my studies and ensures I am on track with my coursework. I’ve also had the chance to experience and learn from a variety of different perspectives in design, as the professors come from diverse backgrounds and communicate in excellent English. The classes are structured in a way that makes them enjoyable and easy to follow, with a strong emphasis on teamwork, which I find very enriching. Working in teams has been a wonderful way to meet new people and create lasting connections.
Visit Asianera / Bone China in Tangshan
Designed by Antonio
In conclusion, I am extremely happy with my experience at this university. The staff are always ready to assist and make you feel comfortable, and despite occasionally missing my home and family, I am confident that this will be an experience that will broaden my global perspective and improve my skills as a designer. This exchange has given me the chance to step outside of my comfort zone and immerse myself in a completely different culture, which I know will be invaluable in the future.
Visit the Great Wall