By Nastya, BSc(Hons) Digital Media student
Moving to the UK from Ukraine four years ago, at the start of the war, changed everything for Nastya. She had to adjust to a new country and a completely different way of life. Now in her second year, she’s realising just how much her Digital Media course is helping her reconnect with her past while preparing for her future. Keep reading to find out more about Nastya’s story.
Recreating home through VR
One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on so far is a VR environment based on a favourite place from my hometown in Ukraine. After living in the UK for several years, I’ve felt a strong sense of homesickness, and I wanted to create something that brings me comfort and emotional connection.
The space I’m building is somewhere I used to go with my friends after school – a combination of a big restaurant area and a long park you can walk through.
I’m also planning to add a 3D model of one of my close friends and record their voice, so you can actually talk to them inside the virtual world. It’s a way of keeping those relationships alive, even from far away.
Whenever a project brief allows it, I try to incorporate elements of home. It helps me feel connected to where I come from, even while I’m building a new life here.
Learning digital skills I never expected
When I applied for Digital Media, I didn’t expect the course to be so hands‑on. I thought it would be mostly computer‑based, but it turns out there’s a huge practical element too. Recently, I’ve been building a circuit board for one of my modules – something I never imagined myself doing.
Over the past two years, I’ve learned coding, Photoshop, Illustrator, and a lot of design skills. Design has become my favourite part of the course. I love how creative it is, and how much freedom we have to experiment.
The staff have been incredibly supportive. Our technical lead is amazing – always quick to respond and able to explain things clearly, even when the concepts feel overwhelming at first. Having that kind of support has made me much more confident in my digital skills.
We also get access to so many resources. UWE Bristol provides Adobe Creative Cloud, which I use constantly, and the course supplies materials like LED boards and components for circuit work. I’ve also been able to borrow VR headsets to take home, and tablets for augmented reality projects.
It feels like the course is always keeping up with the latest technology, and every year the content is refreshed to match what’s happening in the industry.
“We’ve already covered film recording, motion capture, 3D modelling, UX, and UI design. This means I now have so many options for the future, and it’s helping me feel prepared for the job market, especially with how fast everything is changing.”
Navigating AI in my studies
AI has become a big part of the course, and I use it in different ways depending on the project. Some of the platforms we use for 3D modelling have AI tools built in, and I’ve been combining AI with VR to help build my digital hometown environment.
I also use AI chat tools to help me understand technical terms or break down complicated concepts. But I’m careful not to rely on it too much. I want to fully understand the processes myself. AI can be a great source of inspiration when used carefully – more like a creative partner than a replacement.
Why I love studying in Bristol
Even though I commute from Chepstow in Wales, Bristol feels like my city. I come here to meet friends, go shopping, and explore. When I first visited, it reminded me of “a smaller London” – lively, creative, and full of opportunities.
Before moving to Chepstow, I lived with a host family and had to commute three hours each way. Now it’s about 1.5 hours by public transport, which is much more manageable. Student accommodation was too expensive for me, so commuting is the best option.
Despite the travel, I’m really enjoying the course, especially the design‑focused modules. Studying Digital Media at UWE Bristol has helped me grow not just as a creator, but as a person. It’s also given me space to reconnect with home while building a future in an industry I’m excited about.
Find out more about studying BSc(Hons) Digital Media at UWE Bristol.