A once-in-a-lifetime exchange to Japan

For BA (Hons) Illustration student Anna, choosing the University of Plymouth came down to one incredible opportunity: the chance to study in Japan

For BA (Hons) Illustration student Anna Hewett-Rakthanee

A once-in-a-lifetime exchange to Japan

For BA (Hons) Illustration student Anna, choosing the University of Plymouth came down to one incredible opportunity: the chance to study in Japan

Diving into Japanese culture and craft

Supported by an £1100 grant from the university, alongside funding from her church and the host college, Anna arrived in the snowy city of Sapporo. Living in a catered, all-girls dormitory, she and Tilda quickly adapted to a new rhythm of life.

At Bisen College, Anna explored traditional techniques, including ceramics, metal craft, and painting using mud paint, alongside a highly valuable portfolio-making class – something she can take forward to promote her work in future. The cultural enrichment extended beyond the studio with lessons in flower arranging, tea ceremonies, and calligraphy.

The transition was made seamless thanks to a strong support system. The college's point of contact, Miyazaki sensei, provided weekly language lessons and cultural trips to local shrines, while her lecturers back in Plymouth maintained regular video calls to offer continuous guidance.

"The Japanese people were so friendly and encouraging," Anna reflects. "It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that massively increased my confidence. It opened my eyes to international opportunities I never thought possible before."

Upon returning to Plymouth, Anna turned her adventure into academic success, delivering an assessed presentation and a 5,000-word essay blending her personal experiences with observations on Japanese society and politics.

From global studies to live briefs

Back on campus, Anna channelled her newfound confidence into the course’s Professional Practice module. Working to a live client brief, she collaborated with the charity Students and Refugees Together (START), creating a Plymouth-specific piece around migratory birds. Guided by the course’s ethics seminars, Anna learned how to thoughtfully navigate sensitive client needs.

This real-world focus has rapidly built Anna’s professional client base before graduation. By actively sharing her live projects on LinkedIn, she caught the attention of major organisations. She was invited by the organisation Find Me Again to a live-scribing event in Croydon, where her work caught the eye of the local councillor and potential future clients. A company also spotted her work on LinkedIn and approached her for a commercial animation project.

Building a creative business

Now heading towards her final year, Anna is utilising

The Cube

– the University’s independent business start-up service – to master invoicing, copyright, and building a professional business pack. She is even putting these skills to work running a student pop-up shop at the Year 1 and 2 exhibition.

"The opportunities Plymouth has given me have been amazing," Anna says. "Genuinely one of the best experiences of my life. It's taught me how to walk into environments where I don’t feel comfortable, throw myself in, and come out with a professional career."

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BA (Hons) Illustration

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