Student Stories: Giorgio Colonna
Giorgio Colonna is an OCA BA (Hons) Photography graduate. "I am Italian, mid-60s, married, three children, resident in northern Italy and CIO in a steel group."
Read about Giorgio's learning journey below.
What is your previous educational experiences and what drew you to OCA?
High school diploma in classical studies, academic path in computer science, music conservatory in piano, degree in professional photography.
Can you describe your OCA journey?
Not being a native English speaker could have been a barrier to face-to-face interaction with tutors and fellow students, but everyone's availability, which I greatly appreciated, helped me overcome this obstacle. Even though the course was entirely remote, I never felt isolated or ignored. In fact, I felt positive pressure from the tutors to achieve my goals, which helped me complete my studies. The feedback was continuous and extremely helpful in making me reflect critically on my outcomes and, ultimately, in helping me grow both as a student and as a graduate. I was scrutinized with firmness, never with condescension or superficiality: I believe all of this is a key factor in successfully completing a degree.
Can you describe the tutor/ peer support at the OCA?
Dr. Ariadne Xenou was not only my mentor, but also my source of inspiration and motivation throughout my studies at the Open College of the Arts. Thanks to Dr. Xenou's seminars, I enriched my preparation and improved my academic approach and critical thinking. I particularly appreciated Dr. Xenou's ability to relate personally to each of us students, as if we were unique, and to offer personalized suggestions and advice. Thanks to her, I was motivated to translate my major project into an award-winning book. I am proud to have studied with Dr. Ariadne Xenou.
What does studying with OCA mean to you?
For me, an Italian with an Italian education, studying at OCA was a great experience. I'm honored to have earned a BA Hons with OCA, giving an academic title to what I call "my second professional life," which I'm about to begin.
What's next?
I am about to retire from the professional activity I have practiced all my life and begin a new one in the field of fine art photography. The degree I earned from OCA, and especially the course of study, are a perfect support and intrinsic credit to my new interlocutors, namely those who will consult my books and photographic works.
Any advice?
Since this is a path you've chosen consciously and with conviction, enjoy it to the fullest. Don't be impatient to earn your degree, and take advantage of the cultural enrichment process step by step, topic by topic, tutor by tutor. It's crucial if you're becoming what you're studying to be.
Where can we find you?
Check out Giorgio's work together with his fellow OCA Graduates in our 25/26 Graduate zine.
Comments