I studied a Masters in Integrated Design at COFA, a multidisciplinary course which fused together my background in industrial design and graphic design. When I was deciding whether to come to Italy or Australia, this course really stood out compared to the programs the other universities were offering.
Australia seems to be this hub where people come from all over the world. I have lived outside Zimbabwe for some time as I studied for my undergraduate degree in the US, so I know how beneficial it is to be in another country with a different culture and to meet other people.
The course was every beneficial. I liked my instructors and I really enjoyed their approach to teaching, as well as the interaction they encouraged us to have with other students.
I worked in a few group projects and they were both exciting and challenging. We had a good mix of students, from Pakistan, Sweden, Indonesia, China and Australia. Everyone in the program had different design backgrounds; some had been involved in architecture, some in interior design and some in graphic design - that’s what also made it so interesting, to learn from my classmates as well as my instructors.
Almost a year after I had been in Australia I won the NSW Premier’s International Student of the Year award. It was given for the work I had done with Student Development – International (SDI) and in different areas of student life within the university. I volunteered as an international peer mentor to help other students who were coming in, and I also used my design skills in a lot of events for SDI, like Safety Week and the Say Hello Campaign, designing logos, T-shirts graphics and posters.
I have also assisted with tutoring at COFA as well as worked in different areas of the university as a designer and student assistant. I’m looking into doing a PhD and eventually I would like to set up my own design studio; which supports and works with folks back home
