By Haiyue Liu

Junfei Tian, a senior at the University of Colorado Denver majoring in communication and minoring in art and creative writing, reflected on life in Denver and remembered the first time she arrived in the United States. “I came here because it’s a land of possibilities. I really like this country.”

English

Since Tian’s arrival in Denver three years ago, she chose to minor in art studies. “My parents are both working in law, but I want to do something different, something by myself,” said Tian. Art may be a hobby for other people, but it means something very different to Tian. “I was brought up by my grandfather,” she said, “My grandfather learned traditional Chinese painting by himself. In doing art, I am following my grandfather’s dream.”

In order to experience even more, including a new artistic culture, Tian joined CU Denver’s study abroad program, “Interdisciplinary Art in Ireland,” in the summer of 2013. She was the only Chinese student and the first ICB student in the class.

“Ireland is a fairy kingdom in my dream. The whole country is filled with an artistic sense,” described Tian. “I wanted to go there and experience a diverse culture.”

Tian noted that she experienced many “first times” in Ireland: the first time in making statues, the first time creating oil paintings, and she even presented her first art exhibition.

“I really loved our class environment in Ireland because I felt like I was a real artist,” she said. “Everyone enjoyed my paintings very much, and several audience members even asked for my card!” Tian also met many local artists, and they became good friends. “This CU Denver travel study program was one of the most important turning points in my life,” said Tian, “I realize that the real value of art is to encourage others and to bring them happiness. You can renew your heart and mind in the art world.”

When Tian came to back Denver, the class exhibition, “Interdisciplinary Art in Ireland,” was also displayed in a hotel in Denver’s prestigious 16th Street Mall. Tian believes this is just a beginning for her art career.

Tian feels that she had a very meaningful time in Denver through all of her educational experiences. She is now applying to graduate schools. She believes that “the happiest thing in the world is combining your hobby and your career together.” Tian is on her way to finding more of that full happiness.

Chinese

优秀学生介绍：田珺霏
作者：刘海月

田珺霏，一名在UCD学习的ICB学生将于这个冬天提前完成她的大学学业。她在采访中分享了她三年多来在丹佛学习生活的点点滴滴，说：“我选择来到这里是因为这是一个充满机遇和灵感的地方。”

和其他学生不同的是，田珺霏不但攻读传播学专业并兼修艺术辅修，她说：“我的父母都是从事的与法律相关的工作，但是我这并不是我感兴趣的。我想做我自己想做的并做一些不一样的事情。”艺术对于大多数来说可能只是一个爱好，但是对于田珺霏却有着不一样的意义，她解释道：“我是在延续了我祖父的梦想。我从小和祖父长大，我记得在我很小的时候祖父就开始自己学习画国画。所以，我学习艺术有一部分原因是我想完成我祖父的梦想。”

为了获得更多关于艺术的知识，田珺霏在今年夏天报名参加了“Interdisciplinary Art in Ireland”课程并去往爱尔兰学习。她是这个课的第一位ICB学生更是本次班级中唯一一位中国学生。田珺霏说：“爱尔兰在我印象当中一直是一个童话王国。整个国家都充满了艺术气息。我希望能在那里寻找不同的艺术灵感并感受不同的文化气息。”

田珺霏还介绍了她在爱尔兰的很多“第一次”经历，其中包括：第一次做雕塑，第一次画油画，甚至是第一次办画展！她回忆说：“我很喜欢我们在爱尔兰的学习环境，这让我感觉我真的成为了一名艺术家。每个参观展览的人都很喜欢我的作品，更有人找我要名片！”在爱尔兰的日子里田珺霏还结识了很多当地艺术家并和他们成为了好朋友，她说：“这次学习经历对于我来说是一个很重要的转折点。我明白了，艺术的真正意义是要给更多的人带去快乐和鼓励，并在艺术的世界里净化你的心灵。”

田珺霏的画展并没有随着课程的结束而停止，而是再一次在丹佛十六街的一个宾馆里展出。田珺霏相信这是她的一束生涯的新起点！

总之，田珺霏很喜爱她在丹佛这三年的经历，而她现在也在紧罗密布的准备着申请研究生。她始终相信，这世上最开心的事情就是将你的爱好与事业结合在一起，而她正在为这个目标努力！