Holiday is a current student at the San Francisco Art Institute studying at University of the Arts London during the Fall 2014 term.

Tell us why you chose to study abroad.
I chose to study abroad in London so that I could focus on my family history, and its connection to textiles, which have been constant throughout my art practice. I felt that I could investigate this best by being closer to home. This may seem a bit unorthodox as most students chose to study abroad to be exposed to a new and foreign culture. My motives were quite the opposite. My parents immigrated to the United States from London and I am the only person in my family to be born outside of England. Growing up in-between two cultures has had a large effect not only on me, but also my artwork. I felt that I needed to come live in the United Kingdom as this point in my life to investigate my roots and the role they have begun to play in my art practice.

Tell us about your school, major, interests, clubs (you in a nutshell).
I am currently a student at the San Francisco Art Institute, pursing a BFA in Design + Technology. My school is known for encouraging conceptualism and experimentation. However, one major issue I found was our lack of a curriculum around fashion and textiles. However, I was able to found a Textile Club this past Spring Semester. I have loved running Team Textile this spring, and I’m sad that I will not be able to continue in the fall while I’m in London. However, I look forward to bringing back the skills I gain at Chelsea and sharing my knowledge within the SFAI community when I return. Besides my love of art, fashion and textiles I am also very passionate about Music. Although my program at Chelsea College does not begin until September I moved to London this May to work at a leading festival production company. Before my course at Chelsea begins I plan to fill my summer with festivals, concerts, museums, travel, and spending time with my family.

What are you most excited about re. studying abroad?
As I previously mentioned, my home school does not have a fashion or textiles department. Which is why I am so excited about taking advantage of all of the resources Chelsea has to offer me! Industrial sewing machines, knit machines, floor looms, the list goes on and on! I am also very excited about integrating with the students at Chelsea College. I recently visited the school’s undergraduate degree show where I saw culminating student’s final projects. The work was incredible and so inspiring! I cannot wait to see the work of my peers when I begin classes and explore the possibilities of collaborating.

What are you most nervous about re. studying abroad?
I am also a bit nervous about being thrown into such a rigorous and medium specific course. Although I do have a lot of experience with sewing and crafts, I have never worked with textiles on the scale that will be available to me at Chelsea. Although I am nervous about being at another school in a program that I am somewhat new to, my excitement overshadows all of my worries. I know that the adjustment will not necessarily be an easy one, but I am ready for the challenge and excited at the possibilities and opportunities the fall semester will bring!

What are three goals that you would like to achieve/accomplish while abroad?
My major goal while I am in London is to take advantage of all of the resources Chelsea College has to offer me, including equipment, techniques, teachers, my fellow students, you name it. I know that I will not have these back at my home school so it is my goal to get as much as I possibly can out of the textile department at Chelsea. I’m also excited to travel! I hope to accomplish this goal over the summer before I begin my time at Chelsea. I already have started to plan trips to Ireland, Paris, and Amsterdam! Being in Europe is such a fantastic opportunity to explore. My most important goal while I am in London is to learn about my family, my culture, and ultimately myself. Being British, but growing up so far away from my family I am excited to use this time to understand this half of my culture and let it inspire me in my art practice.