Read about the experiences of our international students

Tayla Best
Student
BA (Hons) Ballet Education
I chose to study in the UK because of the wonderful opportunities offered at the RAD and the dance degree I wanted to do is not delivered in New Zealand.

My biggest concern about studying in the UK was being so far away from home and not knowing anyone. New Zealand is such a small place compared to London, but I have made great friends from all over the world and these friendships will remain with me for the rest of my life. It has surprised me how well I have settled into London and the RAD.

What I like best about London is the atmosphere of living in a big city and having a lot of opportunities on my doorstep. London is amazing, everything is close and it is so easy to travel from one place to another. During the programme, we have been given many performance opportunities which have included watching the Royal Ballet perform at the Royal Opera House, seeing students performing at Move It and the Ideal Home Show plus I have been able to teach numerous classes during my placements.

My accommodation for the first year was in student halls close to Battersea. This was a secure all-girls environment which helped with me being new to London. Once I got to know people, I decided to share a flat with a couple of girls and this was situated close to the RAD.

My advice about studying overseas is to take every opportunity that is given to you. I have involved myself in everything London has to offer and all the opportunities that have come my way within the RAD environment. I know that when I leave there will be nothing that I will regret. My other advice is to just enjoy your time here; it is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Studying by distance learning

Katherine Carrera
Student
BA (Hons) Dance Education
I was born and raised in the beautiful twin isle of Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean and trained in ballet, modern, jazz and tap at the Caribbean School of Dancing. In 2013 I started my own company that manages performing arts companies’ social media platforms locally and internationally and in 2014 I became the first and only certified Zena Rommett Floor-Barre instructor which has allowed me to lecture at the University of Trinidad and Tobago. I have also trained in commercial styles of dance and teach a fusion class geared towards building confidence in women, called Femme Funk at the school Elle NYTT. I am also the artistic director of an all-girl dance group called ‘Wicked Dance Grp’ mixing technical training with commercial styles where we use dance as our platform to bring awareness to women.

After teaching dance for thirteen years, I knew I wanted to become a more qualified teacher. Choosing to study the BA (Hons) Dance Education programme with the RAD was the easiest decision because it meant being educated by a reputable and worldwide recognised organisation. Studying by distance learning has not only helped me achieve my goals within my everyday commitments but allows me to apply them to my teaching whilst I am learning, which gives me real life experience. I can have trouble balancing my everyday commitments with my studying time, but the programme has so many helpful coordinators and study materials that I am able to keep on track. I look forward to becoming an RAD registered teacher so that I can continue to teach at the Caribbean School of Dancing, which has a long standing history with the RAD.

Celine Tan
Student
Master of Arts in Education (Dance Teaching)
I graduated from my BA (Hons) Art and Teaching of Ballet at the RAD in 2003 and felt that I was fully enriched by the comprehensive programme. It prepared me well for the work I was undertaking in a national pre-tertiary arts school in Singapore. There were many postgraduate programmes in education, however I wanted one that was specifically catered towards dance, and the RAD’s Masters programme was the one for me. Through my experience as a learner on the programme, I experimented with varied approaches in the classrooms and my student’s responses taught me to reflect more deeply on my position as an educator and life-long learner. Once I graduate, I hope to guide the younger dance teachers on my team as we work together towards developing an arts-infused education in Singapore.

Nicola Heffes-Doon
Student
Certificate of Higher Education: Dance Education
I am a young professional dancer who has made a career out of teaching, choreographing and performing. I chose to study the Certificate of Higher Education: Dance Education primarily to gain Registered Teacher Status with the RAD. My husband is in medical school between Grenada, the UK and the US and we have to move around a lot, so distance learning was perfect for me. Once I started the programme, I began to discover a wealth of information on dance and dance education that neither my teaching experience, nor my degree in theatre dance, had exposed me to. It is fascinating to learn about teaching whilst being able to put my new knowledge into practice with my students (from current pedagogy and nutrition, to music and anatomy), and my teaching has been challenged and enriched by the experience.

The biggest challenge for me so far has been time management; figuring out how to balance my responsibilities at work with the demands of school. After the first semester, I had a much better idea of what was required and settled into a routine. In a developing country, resources can be extremely limited and arts education is low on the priority list. Sometimes the things I learn seem far removed from my daily experience, but studying has inspired me with a vision of what could be, and I have begun to equip myself with the knowledge and tools to implement it.