A creative adventure far from home

Being an international student is an exciting journey full of opportunities, growth, discovery, and new perspectives. While it's natural to feel uncertain at times, especially when making big decisions, those early moments can be the start of something incredible. Studying at Escape Studios has been a fresh chapter filled with unforgettable experiences. Along the way, I've learned how to embrace a new culture while staying connected to my roots, and I'm making the most of every moment.

A little bit about myself

Hi! My name is Sebastian Trujillo. I am a second-year student at Escape Studios studying an Integrated Master's Course in The Art of 3D VFX. I am an international student from Spain whose parents are from Colombia. Before arriving in the UK, I spent most of my childhood in Spain. Then, my family and I migrated to New York City, and finally, I did a roundabout back to Spain. After a short time there, my family and I arrived in London.

What brought me to this industry?

Throughout my various moves from one country to another, I struggled to decide what career path would suit me best. At first, I wanted to pursue a profession in mathematics. Then, I tried to curtail my studies so that I could find a job in mechanical engineering. Once I applied for classes, I realised that my academic achievements were not what schools sought. So I took one final re-evaluation of my situation and realised that what fundamentally drove my interests was seeing mechanisms and robotics functioning on the screen, such as the Transformers franchise, the Pacific Rim film, and the Gundam franchise. I concluded that I could pursue my dreams in those fields through the limitless ocean of 3D VFX.

Why did I choose Escape?

After doing some research, I came across Escape Studios and noticed that their industry connections and knowledge were the perfect opportunity for me. After attending their open days and taster days, I realised that the building and teaching format made it so that I could connect with other peers at a comfortable pace. I have never enjoyed the concept of big lecture halls like those in other universities. It causes a sense of disconnect and isolation when the only moment you would talk to another classmate is through occasional team projects. Seeing that the class sizes at Escape were a third of that, I felt much more comfortable. I would never feel left behind, as I could easily connect with other classmates or ask the excellent studio assistants for help.

How has Escape been for me? - Meeting other international students

Since starting at Escape Studios, I've been pleasantly surprised by the great diversity of the classes. I've met many students of different ethnicities, from Latin America to Asia, many of whom I now confidently call my buddies. After meeting so many people and realising we have a lot of common interests, I created the Skate Society last year. It runs weekly and has a strong member count, including many friends.

How I bring my culture to Escape Studios

Even throughout the many unforgettable experiences and enjoyable moments I've had, I get homesick, just like any international student or student living away from their family. It happens to the best of us, and personally, the way I deal with it is by taking full advantage of the Jubilee line right next to Escape, so that I can make a little trip to Elephant & Castle, or Brixton Village if I'm ever in the mood for some authentic Colombian food. Aside from cuisine, I also like to stay in tune with some of the music from my hometown. Regardless of where I go, I will always be ready to share and express my cultural heritage to others to keep those memories alive, even if I'm miles away from home. I'm never far from finding someone who is going through experiences similar to mine. I pat myself on the back for having chosen to go to Escape Studios, because it opened up these fantastic opportunities and allowed me to be part of this community.