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University of Brighton Student exchanges - Jazmin Key

Jazmin’s student exchange experience in Japan

We caught up with Illustration graduate Jazmin Key about her time completing a student exchange programme at Nagoya University of the Arts in Japan.  

Jazmin was a second-year student on our Illustration BA(Hons) course when she was accepted onto the Nagoya University of the Arts exchange programme, to study Creative Art Practice.

The University of Brighton’s exchange programme enables our students to study abroad for either a semester or a full year at partner universities around the world. Similarly, international students at our partner universities can choose to come and study at Brighton, for either a semester or year, on our incoming exchange programme.

Studying abroad offers not only a unique experience but also a source of personal and professional growth – something Jazmin credits as a key factor in her career advancement after graduating from the University of Brighton.  

In the Q&A below, Jazmin shares how she navigated culture shock, adapted to studying in a new country, and how her experience on the Nagoya exchange continues to shape her life after returning from Japan.  

She also shared a snapshot of her time in Japan with us.  

Q&A with Jazmin

What inspired you to apply for a student exchange in Japan?

I really wanted to do a term abroad, and the idea of Japan excited me! The number of different classes and opportunities is what stood out to me most.

How did you find studying in a different country?

My Creative Art Practice course surprised me at first, but then I realised the Illustration course at Nagoya University of the Arts is highly anime/graphic orientated. They’d placed each of us in appropriate courses based on our portfolio. It was so great seeing the kind of work the students in Nagoya were making; it was so different and inspiring, and their work ethic is amazing, which was also incredibly inspiring. 

My favourite parts to list are:

  • ceramics class and the freedom to use facilities in my spare time
  • the canteen
  • the apartment we got to live in
  • the bikes we were given
  • having my own desk space
  • taking part in activities such as home-stays and kids’ classes
  • using the weekends/holidays for travelling the rest of Japan!

A major culture shock was the language. Everything was taught in Japanese and either translated onto info sheets for us, or some tutors would go over everything again with us in English. They were so patient and kind! We had Japanese classes on Fridays, which would help us with day-to-day things.

Do you think the exchange programme helped your career or academic progression?

Yes, massively! It helped me so much with my confidence and gave me so many ideas about the kind of art I wanted to make.  

I was inspired literally every moment I was there and that feeling was brought home with me and it still gives me so much joy now. 

Tell me about what you’ve been doing since graduation. What are you doing for work now, and where are you based? 

I am based in East London and have been working in hospitality since I graduated, continuing to draw in my spare time.  

In the last year, I have been doing a handful of public classes at The Royal Drawing School and, through connections from my day job, have started doing posters for wine bars and restaurants. It feels great to finally spend more time drawing than waitressing.  

I have just been accepted onto The Drawing Year at The Royal Drawing School, which is so exciting! 

What would you say to another student who’s considering going on a student exchange?

You will have the best time. Apply!  

I was such an anxious second-year [student] and was so nervous about my application, but hey I got it! Brighton will be waiting for you when you return. It is so nice to have a change of scenery and experience a different university.

Also, I would advise stalking the Instagrams and blogs of the students who have done it in the past; this really helped me get a feel for what it’s like to be there.

Art and designBrightonCreative Subjects at Brighton UniversityExhcanges in the School of Art and MediaIllustration at Brighton UniversityIllustration coursesInternational exchangeJapanNagoyaNagoya University of the ArtsSchool of Art and Mediastudent experiencestudent lifestudy abroadstudy exchangestudy Exchange experienceUniversity of BrightonUniversity of Brighton IllustrationUniversity partnership

Clare Cornwell • June 20, 2025


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