The exciting Overseas Immersion Programme (OIP) has launched and welcomes students from DigiPen (Singapore) to the DigiPen Europe-Bilbao campus. This program provides students with an opportunity to study abroad and get a new perspective on DigiPen through experiencing the European and Basque culture and making new friends. The students from DigiPen (Singapore) stay in Bilbao for the summer semester from May until late July.
Great place, greater people! Eskerrik asko!
The OIP is designed to offer students — both host students and guest students — a chance to enrich their college experience by interacting with different cultures and people from different countries. It also gives DigiPen (Singapore) students a greater educational experience and helps them broaden their horizons by allowing them to share knowledge and learn from their DigiPen Europe-Bilbao peers. OIP Students attend a wide range of courses and workshops that are designed to enhance their learning experience, and faculty and staff couldn’t be more thrilled. “We are really excited to participate in this fantastic cultural and educational exchange,” says Steven Longden, coordinator of the program.
Their adventure kicked off with a welcome event for the students. This meet and greet event provided an excellent opportunity for the teachers, staff, and students to get to know their guests from Singapore. It also helped our guests get to know their European colleagues as early in the semester as possible. Summarizing the event through the eyes of a DigiPen (Singapore) student in the BFA in Digital Art and Animation program, Gerard Chan says, “Great place, greater people! Eskerrik asko!”
It was a great way to start the program as the event helped create a friendly and welcoming environment for the incoming OIP students. There was a fantastic turnout for the meet and greet, but it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise as pizza, snacks, and soft drinks are always a big attraction for DigiPen students!
It’s nice to have people from all around the world to share culture and create new experiences.
During their stay, the OIP students have the opportunity to explore the beautiful city of Bilbao and its surroundings, including the city’s unique lifestyle and local culture. “My favorite thing about Bilbao is the architecture,” says Lucas Nyugen, an OIP student in the BS in Computer Science in Real-Time Interactive Simulation program. “Many of the buildings are so unique and very detailed!”
Other students are also looking to make an impact on student life and the overall educational program. Roy Lee, another OIP student in the BS in Computer Science in Real-Time Interactive Simulation program, comically quotes Connor McGregor to summarize his thoughts. “We’re not here to take part, we’re here to take over!” says Lee.
The OIP is an excellent opportunity for like-minded students from different corners of the world to come together and share in the education that DigiPen provides. It’s a unique opportunity for students to learn, explore, and grow, both academically and personally. “We are here to experience something new,” says Joshua Tiew, an OIP student in the BFA in Digital Art and Animation program, as he reminisces about his fellow students. Additionally, BS in Computer Science in Real-Time Interactive Simulation student Pablo Rodriguez says, “It’s nice to have people from all around the world to share culture and create new experiences.”
As the OIP continues into the summer semester, the DigiPen Europe-Bilbao faculty and staff wish students from DigiPen (Singapore) the best in their studies during their stay in Bilbao!