"This semester overseas has been incredible, and I highly recommend it to everyone who gets the chance to study abroad! Cape Town is a fantastic destination to grow, study, and explore. Every day here offers something new and fascinating, whether it's going on safari, perusing the lively local markets, climbing stunning trails, unwinding on gorgeous beaches, or taking in the lively nightlife.

Being a student at the University of Cape Town (UCT) has opened up incredible opportunities for learning and exploration. I've had the chance to engage deeply with South African television, film, and media in ways I never would have thought possible. In one of my film courses, we're doing a unit on Afrofuturism—a genre that blends science fiction, history, and African cultural aesthetics to imagine alternative futures. I'm especially excited to study Afrofuturism through both local and global lenses and to see how South African filmmakers are contributing to and reshaping the genre.

It has been tremendously fulfilling to be involved in Cape Town's cultural and artistic life, and I am extremely appreciative of what I am learning both inside and outside of the classroom."

- Zindzhi Montgomery '26

“Studying at Trinity College Dublin gave me so many cool experiences I wouldn't have had otherwise. I got to see both the beautiful Irish countryside and the busy city of Dublin. A typical weekend for me was taking day trips down the coast and exploring the small towns outside of the city. My favorite class was Contemporary Irish Cinema. It got me to look at a wide variety of Irish films which really expanded my view of what film can be. The highlight of my semester abroad was winning the Cinematography Award in the Film Society's 48 Hour Film Festival. I decided to sign up for the festival last minute with two people I had just met. What started as a good excuse to get to know more people turned into a project I am really proud of that pushed me to let go of perfectionism and think outside of the box in order to finish the film on time.”

- Gaylin Davey ’25

“My time at the University of Roehampton allowed me to explore different areas of the film industry that I would have otherwise not considered. The program was also designed such that by the end of the semester, I had created three new short films to add to my portfolio. I would absolutely recommend time abroad to any film student looking to expand their studies and try new things within the industry!” 

- Ellie Tsapatsaris ’24

"Taking a television class at DIS-Copenhagen was pretty invaluable to my experience with FMST because along with learning the conventions and history of television both in the US and abroad, we were able to meet with actual screenwriters and directors of two popular Danish series: Pros and Cons (Screenwriter) and Equinox (Director), and engage with them to gain a better understanding for what they do on a day to day basis. As more of a screenwriter myself, meeting the writer of Pros and Cons (2018) inspired me to develop my own idea for a crime series based in Copenhagen and write the script for a pilot episode. I hope to continue this project down the road, but I credit it all to my experience both inside and outside of the classroom while studying abroad."

- Sean Nolan ’23

Photo: Sean standing in front of the actual Throne from Game of Thrones, at the studio tour in Belfast.

"At the University of Roehampton, London, I took a class about the Film Soundtrack and got to hear from experts in the field about the many creative decisions that go into crafting a film’s soundtrack. But my favorite experiences during my time abroad were attending the Prince Charles Cinema, a two-screen arthouse cinema that brought me great happiness."

- Jake Rothman ’23