Studying Arts in Canada: how it can improve your chances of success

Latin American students extend their creative practice and professional networks in Canada at York University’s School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design

In our increasingly interconnected world, pursuing education abroad offers emerging artists invaluable opportunities to expand their cultural horizons, their creative practice and their professional networks while laying the foundation for a promising career.

Guillermo de la Rosa, Giovanna Galuppo and Maria Lucia Llano are among the 80+ international undergraduate students who are currently fulfilling these goals and investing in their futures at the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD) at York University. Located in Toronto, Canada’s cultural and commercial capital, AMPD is one of the largest and most comprehensive arts schools in North  America.

De la Rosa, a fourth-year student pursuing a BFA in film production, hails from Caracas, Venezuela. He originally planned to study in the USA, but upon learning that Canada offers a comparable education at a lower cost, he chose York’s film program for the hands-on experience it provides to prepare students for professional work in the industry.

Currently, de la Rosa is completing a short fiction film as well as assisting classmates on their projects. In addition to academic and production work in film and media, he has taken practical courses in screenwriting, directing and acting.

“After graduation, I plan on getting a creative job in Toronto and keep making movies I love,” de la Rosa said. “I'm also developing ideas for my first feature production, which will most likely be filmed in Venezuela.”

Galuppo, a third-year visual art student, is also from Caracas, where she earned a degree in illustration. Looking to further her studies, she chose Canada for the creative opportunities and quality of life.

“Art is controversial, and some say that it’s not going to change the world,” she said. “But I’m an optimist and I believe in a better world. I want to give the best I can give and be the best I can be, and art is my way of doing it.”

A musician as well as a rising visual artist, Galuppo enthusiastically embraces creative opportunities both on and off campus. “My artwork has been shown in galleries downtown, and I’ve performed in many different settings, including with a guitar trio, playing folk music with the Venezuelan community, and singing with hip-hop musician Emmanuel Jal.”

Her advice to international students? “Work hard - and say yes to every opportunity!”

Llano came to AMPD last fall from Bogotá, Colombia to study dance. “I chose York University because its well-rounded dance program will not only allow me to pursue my passion, but also let me become a cultural ambassador, diffusing the art of dance across multiple communities and schools,” she said. “My dance courses have fulfilled my expectations and more.”

Initially, Llano said, she was overwhelmed by the scale and the extraordinary level of multiculturalism she found in Toronto and at York. “While at times I felt a little lost in such a big city and campus with so much on offer, there’s a lot of support to help international students to get involved in the community and enjoy their time at York,” she said.

“It’s a really hard decision to leave behind family, friends and everything that we know at home,” Llano said. “However, I would say that coming to Canada has been the best experience of my life!”