Trecia Pannell

Domestic Exchange Student Reflections

The New School

Being a Spelmanite in New York City has been interesting and gratifying. By participating in the Domestic Exchange Program at The Eugene Lang New School for Liberal Arts, I have been able to fully submerge myself in the world of cinema and even explore avenues of visual storytelling of which I was not previously aware. Taking classes such as Directing the Camera, Filmmaking Studio, and Script Analysis have helped me realize that my personal interests are valid areas of study, and can serve as a strong foundation upon which I can build a fulfilling career.

The faculty at The New School is one of my favorite aspects about my exchange experience. All of my professors are actively working in the field in which they teach, and can provide up-to-date information about industry standards and the latest trends in the business. It is not uncommon for professors to provide opportunities for students to attend industry events, or assign work that involves going out into the field and getting hands-on experience.

Experiencing campus life at The New School has been refreshing and informative. While The New School is similar to Spelman in terms of having a lively social atmosphere, the dialogue among students is much different. Conversations about culture and current politics are commonplace. The consciousness of the student body has fed me intellectually and helped me gain a more nuanced view of the world around me.

I will continue to cherish my semester as a student at The New School. I am looking forward to using the tools I’ve gained here and applying them to life after my exchange semester.