Class of 2022 Sharing – Ashley Lor (Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Vancouver, Canada)
What is your name?
Ashley Lor
Where are you studying?
Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Vancouver, Canada
What is your major?
Currently First Year Foundation, I am planning to major in either 2D Animation or Communication Design (which is like graphic design) for my second year.
How do you describe your University?
My university is a pretty small institution as it is a specialized university specifically for the arts. However, the professors are definitely qualified, many of whom have worked on several famous films and TV shows, as well as holding their own exhibitions around Vancouver and overseas, and they offer great experience and feedback to help you figure out what you want to do. What I do like most about ECU is that we have a general first year where we get to explore different majors to see what would work best for us, instead of applying immediately into a specialised programme. It’s also highly encouraged to share your art amongst classmates and the school in general, with all the walls in ECU being specifically made as exhibition and display walls.
What is the happiest experience in your first year?
Joining my school dance team. I won’t lie, it was difficult to make friends in my first year, as we don’t have student dorms and our classes change every semester, so you may not be with your friends from the first semester. Joining the dance team allowed me to have 3 hours of fun and relaxation without my work every week, and I got to form really close friendships with people in different majors and different years.
What is your top tip/advice that you will give to Sha Tin College students on their Higher Education?
Don’t be afraid to explore different options and chase your dreams. It sounds really cliche but trust me, it can and it will work out. I originally was going to go into psychology, all my IB subjects revolved around pursuing psychology and becoming a psychologist. Now I’m in one of the best art schools in Canada, pursuing my dream of doing art for the rest of my life. It took a lot of courage and research (lots and lots of research!), as well as motivation to create my portfolio while studying for exams, but it was all worth it in the end. Of course, I can’t speak for medicine students and law students, but it’s always worth it to try something different and something new.
