UK → NL: What is Rotterdam + WdKA really like?

Hello! Coming to you across the interwebs from Rotterdam, where I am studying Graphic Design at Willem de Kooning Academie on the Erasmus international exchange program. Before heading over here, I was studying Graphic Design at Falmouth University in Cornwall, UK. This is my first time living outside of England, so I have learned a lot in the last 4 weeks! I thought I would share some of my first impressions with you today.

[@sleepymippy]

I just got accepted into wdka (international student from Romania) and this video was so helpful and nicely done, thank you!

[@taylorjones3171]

Yaaaaay congratulations! That is great to hear - I’m certain that you will love it here! What will you be studying?

[@sleepymippy]

@@taylorjones3171 advertising!

[@taylorjones3171]

Oooo sweet! Maybe I will see you here one day 🌝

[@EvaWhoDraws]

Im a first year illustration student currently, hearing how awesome getting to use the stations is makes me really wish this pandemic would be over already! Our in person classes are greatly limited and making everything at home alone just isn't the same as that classroom environment

[@taylorjones3171]

Thank you for your comment Eva - I know exactly how you feel! I was only at WdKA for 2-3 weeks before the pandemic happened :'( I have a friend who is also first year Illustration at WdKA, perhaps you know her...

[@margueriteshadowsea6568]

Hi! I'm planning on studying illustration at WdKA too, could you tell me how hard it was to get in?

[@cecilymason470]

Thank you so much for this info this school is one of my options for when I apply to study graphic design abroad.

[@catchingfeelings2691]

Please make more vdos like this ! I love it.

[@rurisigriardottirkommata9683]

Dear Taylor, Very much appreciated video. Thank you

[@taylorjones3171]

Thank you Rúrí! Let me know if you have any other questions :)

[@forniteisfun6355]

You are such a legend ❤️❤️❤️

[@profdaydreamer]

Amazing video thank you

[@taylorjones3171]

Thank you!!

[@simplyelvi5676]

Thaank you for this video, it was very helpful and informative😊😁

[@taylorjones3171]

You are very welcome!

[@mardystube]

Really helpful, thx a lot!

[@taylorjones3171]

My pleasure! I’m glad it is useful :)

[@louisnurcombe5501]

This is so helpful thank you! I am moving from East Midlands to Rotterdam in June to study at wdka and it has been so hard to find anything from other British students at the university, if you could help with some of my questions that would be a huge help! Like how will brexit affect us? etc

[@taylorjones3171]

Hello Louis!! Oh no not the East Midlands... 🌝 I would be happy to answer any questions you have - but perhaps a conversation would be easier on Instagram? You can find me @halloumi_fritters

[@Xehhm]

Hi! Is it possible for someone to apply from a south Asian country? I am really interested in the fine art bachelors program.

[@ellagallo7729]

cool video but I just wanted to know a bit more about the classes. Like do you just wonder between stations or do you have a schedule that tells you were to be

[@taylorjones3171]

Hi Ella :) until quarantine happened, we had a total of 1 or 2 classes a week in theory or practical (which is very few compared to 5-8 workshops / lectures per week in Falmouth). All of the time outside of classes is up to you to spend how you like - which was perfect for me, as I wanted to explore everything I could find in the stations! I think some modules have more structure than this, so I can’t speak for them. You have to be quite organised to study here at WdKA!

[@ellagallo7729]

@@taylorjones3171 and how long were the classes? thanks for answering btw

[@taylorjones3171]

Each class was usually about 2-3 hours and would include group activities and also a little opportunity to speak to the tutors in small groups of 2 or 3!

[@fgefdahf]

Hi Taylor, I applied to the WDKA for this year and i want to know where you looked for a room/ flat/ or student residence, wich you recoment to me amd where I can look for it. Thank you

[@taylorjones3171]

Hi Ferran! I looked in a lot of Facebook groups (search ‘Rotterdam housing’ on Facebook) but these groups are mostly apartments looking to fill 1 bedroom, and I had already agreed to move in with 2 other international students, so we found a whole apartment to ourselves via a private landlord. There’s not really an easy way to do it - you just need to look at lots of options, figure out what is important to you, and grab something that matches!

[@elisapedretti2544]

Thank you so much for this video! 💙The next year I would love to study photograpy at this academy. Do you know someone that's studying photograpy ? in order to ask some advices please

[@taylorjones3171]

Hi there Elisa - thank you for watching! Are you hoping to study at Willem de Kooning Academie? If it is important, then yes I'm sure I can find a photographer for you to speak to...

[@wyomingap1749]

Hi, I'm currently in year 12, not much of a question about Rotterdam, but I was wondering if Falmouth university is any good for product design (if you know anything about that bit of the uni). Also, is it easy to meet lots of new people and is it a nice atmosphere to be in? thank you

[@taylorjones3171]

Hi Alex! Thanks for reaching out - would you like me to put you in contact with a product designer at Falmouth? I would say that yes, it is a super nice atmosphere to be in, in fact I chose Falmouth above Bournemouth, LCC, Leeds and Bath because of the feeling I got from being there!! Also, yes it’s easy to meet new people if you do your part and put the effort in. It’s the same here in Rotterdam too - make a little effort to attend events and start conversations and you will meet soooo many wonderful people :)

[@butlinc]

Hi Taylor, my Mum is a big fan of your youtube channel she has been sharing your videos with me! I was wondering if you could help me in terms of looking for Rotterdam Student Accommodation? Do you have any links or tips or people I could look at / speak to? I will be studying at WdKA this September, accommodation in August 2020. Kind regards, Crea

[@taylorjones3171]

Hi there! Haha thank you, please say thank you to your Mum from me! I would really like to help you out if I can. Do you have Instagram? If so, could you send me a message, and we’ll talk more there? @halloumi_fritters :))

[@butlinc]

@@taylorjones3171 hi Taylor, I dmmed you on Instagram. Is oude westen a safe area in Rotherdam??

[@vittoriocasella274]

Hi Taylor I'm an international student from Italy and I'm preparing to enter this fantastic Academy (it's a very important goal for me). I want to study advertising but I didn't found any Italian reports in yt from this academy. Could you please tell me more information about this course (for example the classes, the organisation etc...) It would be very helpful, thanks in advance and have a nice day!!;))

[@taylorjones3171]

Hi Vittorio! That is great to hear - I think you will love it at WdKA! I am happy to answer your questions, but can you please contact me on Instagram (@teejay.ai) or email ([e-mail])? :))

[@fabiandew5510]

Hi taylor, do you have a discord or a ig so i could ask you some questions?

[@taylorjones3171]

Hey Fabian! Thanks for being patient with me - you can find me on Instagram at @teejay.ai

[@evag.k.3410]

Hi, I’m in year 13 (London) and I would love to do illustration at wdka, is it really hard to get in immediately after year 13 for a full art degree with just my sixth form portfolio? Would you recommend I go to uni in the UK first?? I’ve researched loads of uk unis but nothing seems to compare to Rotterdam. I’ve been there twice and I love the place so much. Thank you!

[@taylorjones3171]

Hi Eva! Hm, I'm not sure I know the answer - but I would encourage you to definitely apply for WdKA if you are interested. It is better to be rejected than to never try! WdKA is a brilliant place, but there is still a wide range of skills, so I think that anybody with some creative work would have a chance

[@EvaWhoDraws]

Hello! randomly scrolled through the comments section and saw this and wanted to say that im an illustration student at WDKA! (and my name is also Eva haha). Im American/Dutch so I can't answer to the specifics of what you have learned/made in the UK but I can say that I got rejected my first time applying last year, but after being rejected and spending a gap year making new stuff and doing the WDKA portfolio prep course I got in! They give feedback with rejections so its better to give it a shot rather than not at all. They really want to see experimentation and to see the process of you come up with ideas and execute them. They care more about your creativity and concepts than your actual technical drawing skills. Hope this helps! if you have any other questions feel free to DM me @ Eva.draws.sometimes on insta!

[@winingrace9732]

Hi! I study illustration in WdKA and I made a video about portfolio for WdKA:) You could check that if you'd like!

[@evag.k.3410]

@@winingrace9732 hi thank you! I recently got an offer from wdka so I’m really excited!!

[@winingrace9732]

@@evag.k.3410 Wow!! Congratulations:)) I'll see you at school!