Yujie Jiang

What made you want to apply to your MA course and to Leeds?

I am an international student from China and have a bachelor’s degree in microelectronics. I have always loved arts and theatre. It is my absolute desire to work in the theatre backstage. I then chose Leeds because my friend recommended the city and informed me of its very vibrant art scene. It is also a very international, friendly, and creative place to live.

What aspects of the course did you enjoy the most?  

I enjoyed the Performance Design Praxis module the most. We worked experimentally and creatively with a range of scenographic materials to develop our creative practice. It was a great chance for me to know about the industry in details and also to create my own work. Following on from this module I joined the backstage society and continued my passion for theatre.
 
More generally I enjoyed that there was such a range of support and facilities on offer. The learning facilities in the School were very easy to access, especially the ones required for the praxis module. The teaching staff are always extremely helpful and the language support from the University was a great assistance to my studies. 

What has been the most surprising thing about coming to Leeds?

The interactive level in the city museum. The first time I went there, I was surprised about how many children were enjoying the museum; also how the museum has designed its facilities to attract children. 

What would you say to anyone thinking of applying to your course?

It is a course challenges intellectual and creative minds. It is a great course for people who want to express themselves in an artistic and theatrical way. The teaching staff are very good at communicating with students and are open to new ideas. 

What do you plan to do now you’ve finished your course, and how do you think the skills and knowledge you’ve developed at Leeds will help with these plans?

I’m looking for chances to gain work experiences relating to lighting design. I think that now I’m more creative and have a better skill set, which I can apply to these positions. My communication and critical thinking skills have also developed hugely.