I am currently studying an undergraduate degree in Interior and Spatial Design at the University of the Arts London. I am grateful to have been accepted to study abroad for a term at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, where I will practice Spatial Experience Design throughout the upcoming autumn term this year.
Throughout my time as a student at UAL so far, I have learnt the importance of adopting sustainable practices as a designer. Sustainability and the movement towards creating a greener future for our society, whilst reversing the environmental damage already in place, is a sincere passion and core value of mine. Alongside eco volunteering, I have worked on personal design projects outside of my degree, such as designing and making furniture pieces out of recycled materials, in addition to participating in a design project for a spa in North Wales, carefully considering the natural environment and how to conserve and use water to nurture the surrounding vegetation.
I consistently educate myself on sustainable practices, which I advocate for and follow in my daily life. I also actively speak up against unsustainable practices, such as the use of AI within my university, which contribute to substantial water use and the rapid decline of communities, who are forced to experience water scarcities due to their location being close to AI data centres.
My core motivation for studying for a term in New York is to learn how to expand my sustainable focus as a designer to an urban context. I am constantly inspired by cities that design harmoniously with the natural environment, and it is my dream to be involved in the process of designing and building a greener future. Studying in New York will provide me with a critical understanding of the urban structure of cities within the US, and I will learn new, international skills in sustainable design and development, particularly within the design of temporary structures for entertainment or retail, which can massively contribute to waste, harming the environment.
For my journey to New York, I intend to be as sustainable as possible. I will achieve this by booking my flights through an airline that actively prioritises sustainability and reduces its carbon emissions. Upon arrival in New York, I plan on relying as much as possible on public transport, and intend to choose accommodation that is within walking distance from FIT in order to reduce my overall impact on the environment.
Whilst there is currently no way in which one can travel to the US from the UK without any negative impact on the environment, I hope that the knowledge in sustainable design that I will gain from my term abroad in New York will sufficiently compensate for this. By studying abroad, I hope to broaden my experiences and learn the necessary skills that will equip me to design a more sustainable future for us all.
Thank you for considering my application.
