What happens when you take the talent from DigiPen Europe-Bilbao to one of the most vibrant technological hubs in Asia? For June Asua and Irene Labrador, students in the BFA in Digital Art and Animation, the answer has been a unique opportunity.
From immersing themselves in a completely different culture to mastering Unreal Engine, their experience shows that at DigiPen, the classroom has no borders.
From the Comfort Zone to the “Lion City”
The decision to move 11,000 kilometers away is not easy, but for these students it was the logical step in their personal and professional growth.
The moment they realized this exchange was an opportunity they could not miss, they did not hesitate to take the leap. June was certain she wanted a change in her life and to step out of her comfort zone, and she saw this program as the perfect opportunity for personal growth. Irene, on the other hand, knew from the moment she learned DigiPen offered exchange programs that she wanted to take part.
“I’m very grateful to be able to experience new cultures and learn from them.” - Irene
Why Choose Singapore?
Curiosity about the unknown was the key factor. June highlights that Singapore is a “melting pot of cultures, religions and people,” while Irene was drawn by its unique architecture and its strategic location for traveling across Southeast Asia. In addition, they received full support from their environment.
“Already knowing some Singaporean friends, thanks to them coming to Bilbao as part of their exchange program, was a big reason. I felt like I wouldn’t be completely alone here, which could be quite scary being my first time travelling outside Europe.” - June
“Singapore felt like a more unique country, filled with things to do and experience. I was very intrigued by its architecture and cultural diversity. Also, I had only heard great things about the food here from my Singaporean friends. Not only that, but Singapore’s location is amazing for traveling to other nearby countries, which is a chance I couldn’t decline.” - Irene
DigiPen’s Global Network
One of the biggest concerns when studying abroad is logistics. However, DigiPen’s structure allowed June and Irene to feel supported even before they arrived.
- From Bilbao: The local administration helped them organize their classes and provided practical information about the cost of living in Singapore and other financial aspects they needed to consider.
- In Singapore: The local team guided them through the visa process and helped them find accommodation, supporting their arrival and helping them adapt to their new environment before and during their stay.
“We were warmly welcomed on campus as soon as we started, meeting new people who guided us every step of the way,” explains June.
The Global Classroom: Raising the Technical Standard
Studying at the Singapore campus (within the Singapore Institute of Technology — SIT) gave June and Irene a new perspective on the art and video game industry.
- New tools They specialized in environment development in Unreal Engine under the guidance of expert professors.
- Competitive mindset They noticed that standards there are very high and students are highly career-oriented.
- Attention to detail They highlight that while the artistic approach is similar to Bilbao, students in Singapore are extremely meticulous and detail-oriented.
How Did This Influence Your Skills?
For June, developing two full characters in Singapore allowed her to optimize her workflow and deepen her digital sculpting techniques. During this process, she learned how to prepare game-engine-ready topologies, optimize her sculpting workflow, and apply different techniques for creating hair and rendering.
Irene explains that the experience also gave her the opportunity to develop environments in Unreal Engine, a tool she had only been slightly familiar with before her stay. Thanks to academic guidance, she was able to deepen her knowledge of the program and create several works she is very proud of.
For both of them, communicating in English and working with people from different cultural backgrounds strengthened their confidence to work in international teams.
Beyond the Screen: Inspiration Around Every Corner
Singapore is not only about technology, it is also a constant source of visual and sensory inspiration for an artist.
When it comes to gastronomy, they were impressed by the country’s food culture and enjoyed the social life around the famous “hawker centres”. The landscapes also caught their attention, surprising them with the variety the country offers from impressive modern buildings to beautiful historic houses and huge parks full of nature.
A Portfolio Without Borders: Ready for the Industry
Having international experience in a portfolio is a major differentiator in a globalized industry.
“I learned how to create a portfolio that attracts international companies.” — June.
Thanks to portfolio-focused modules in Singapore, June now understands better what companies in the Asian market are looking for and how to stand out in such a competitive environment. Irene, meanwhile, values the professional network she built and the knowledge she gained about the industry outside Spain as crucial skills for her future career.
If You Had to Summarize Your Experience in One Word
JUNE: Dream! I would say it feels like a dream, getting to know so many great people and living so many great experiences. It helped me grow out and have a different point of view on life, and I believe opportunities like this would definitely help other DigiPen students in this same way.
IRENE: Fun! I always say I am having the time of my life here in Singapore. Having all these new things to experience every day in such an amazing country is such a privilege that I am extremely grateful for. If other students are able to take on the adventure as well, I couldn’t recommend it more.
Featured Projects by June and Irene
During their third year at DigiPen, both June and Irene developed their own individual projects, which were later selected and recognized at various international festivals.
Fishy
June worked on Fishy, presented at Animafantasia 2025, which tells the story of a hungry stray cat chasing the fish of its dreams — although catching it turns out to be much more difficult than expected.
Flicker
Irene created Flicker, selected for First-Time Filmmaker Sessions Volume 11 (United Kingdom), where a painter trapped in her creative doubts finds inspiration through an instinctive dance.
Before these projects, June and Irene had already collaborated together during their second year on Duck Attack, which was presented at The Rookie Awards 2024 and received an Excellence Award.
Duck Attack
The short film follows Ducky, who is peacefully swimming until a large float suddenly appears nearby. Although frightened at first, he gathers the courage to confront the threat with his sword, ultimately regaining his calm and confidence.