Mobility type: study exchange

Academic year: 2023/2024

Leo Subanović

Erasmus+ is a chance to learn new things, get better at the things you already know, meet people from all over the world, and see something new in a different country.

The semester spent abroad made me see that the art medium I do (textiles) is seen differently than in my home country. Any knowledge you know has a place somewhere in the world where it has value, and you just have to make a step and go out in the world to find it.

Taking part in Erasmus is important because you meet new people that come from cultures different than yours - you exchange differences, but in doing so you find similarities that bring you closer together.

During my Erasmus I managed to learn new techniques I was interested in and had experiences inside and outside the academy, exploring Łódź that influenced my masters project and will continue to influence me in my future work. The mobility allowed me to prove to myself I can manage on my own in a different, unfamiliar environment.

A thing that gave me great satisfaction was visiting things that were specific to the town/ country I was in. Seeing local artists of historical importance that differ from the ones in my home town. In museums, or in books at the store. Seeing the history of the town in the buildings and the stories I learn about them.

What surprised me the most was the engagement of the Erasmus coordinator who found different things for us to do together. Like trips to the museum, theater or cinema. To experience Polish/ Łódź culture.

My first thought after arriving at the Academy was that it was so big and it took me a bit to get used to it (constantly missing the floor I was supposed to be on) but it’s size wasn’t just empty rooms. They are filled with plenty of content. From long tables and equipment for fabric printing to the welcoming environment of the paper studio.