Micah

"I spent the past five years attending university and later working in the Chicago area. One of my mentors at university mentioned his ties to Goldsmiths so I decided to research it. What I found was an exciting and comprehensive programme in one of the most culturally vibrant cities on earth. I had treasured the opportunities afforded to me by living so close to Chicago. Imagine what London would hold! I quickly applied, got accepted, and began navigating the visa process.

When American students travel, it’s usually a backpacking trip with friends or a very sanitised term abroad with American peers. My experience has been quite different. I didn’t know a single soul at Goldsmiths and was completely immersed in authentic English culture.

Getting to know the faculty and my peers has been an experience of deepening my perspective, both culturally and musically, leading to numerous musical opportunities as well as a complete paradigm shift in how I approach my discipline as a classical composer.

I now run a weekly lecture series on contemporary music with my colleagues. A friend and I are starting to write music for a play to be premiered in Edinburgh later this year. A group of us do regular improvisation concerts around the city.

Even as I continue to be amazed by it, Goldsmiths and London life have afforded me more life-changing experiences and relationships than I ever could have asked for."