Masha Shramko has always loved observing and creating art. Growing up in Ukraine, she even had her own work displayed in exhibitions. But art was never something she considered pursuing in college—in fact, she went to NYU Shanghai determined to study finance. It wasn’t until she took a two-credit Experience Studio course on gallery management that her goals and passion for art began to converge.
Each week, students in the course visited galleries across Shanghai, where they heard from marketers, curators, and directors. “I found myself so passionate about what I was learning,” says Masha. “Getting this inside look into the functions of a gallery helped me realize this is what I want to do in life.” Soon after, Masha declared a major in Humanities with a concentration in art history, in addition to a second major in Interactive Media and Business.
Masha has since immersed herself in Shanghai’s vibrant arts scene. From frequent gallery visits to art history coursework and research projects to a part-time job at the NYU Shanghai Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), art has become central to her college experience.
Studying East Asian Art in Context
One of Masha’s favorite courses explores East Asian art, an area of the field that interests her most. Taking this course in Shanghai brings what she’s learning into context in a unique and meaningful way. “I have access to so much artwork I never would be able to see if I wasn’t studying here, along with professors who specialize in East Asian studies,” Masha says.
This class sparked an idea for a research project. With a professor’s help, Masha is investigating representations of propaganda in Chinese art. It’s one of several research projects she’s engaged in since her first year, when she received a crash course in research methods through NYU Shanghai’s First-Year Fellowship Circle. Since she participated in the program, Masha says she has been “developing stronger proposals and research projects that are publishable.”
Arts Immersion in Shanghai
Across Shanghai, galleries overflow with locals and tourists, and new exhibitions are constantly opening. “A unique thing about art in Shanghai is how accessible it is,” says Masha. “The galleries are so integrated into the city itself.”
Shanghai’s vibrant arts scene is a big part of why Masha loves studying here so much. In addition to meeting artists and curators across the city, she collaborated with an intern at the ICA to coordinate a tour of M50, Shanghai’s iconic arts district, for fellow NYU Shanghai students. “Even though there is a language barrier, I feel that as long as you’re open to these opportunities, they will come to you,” she says. “You just have to be on the lookout for them.”
Soon, Masha will take on another arts metropolis: New York City. She’ll spend her junior year studying away there, an experience she’s eager to begin. “New York City is known for its arts scene. My professors are already introducing me to different opportunities,” Masha says. “The city is filled with passionate people, and I’m really excited to be in that kind of environment.”
“The Best Choice I Could Have Made”
Between her many commitments, Masha finds time to participate in several clubs and activities at NYU Shanghai. Her favorite is working as an Admissions Ambassador, where she shares her experience with prospective students. “Even though I’ve only been here for a year, I already have so much to tell them,” Masha says. “I feel like my knowledge really helps, which makes me very happy.”
To Masha, NYU Shanghai feels incredibly close-knit. She emphasizes this sense of community and connection during campus tours. “In my grade, I know almost every student. The network is really, really close,” she says. “The same goes for your professors. Our classes are tiny, so the bond you form is very strong.”
Masha admits that hyping up NYU Shanghai comes easily to her. It’s an environment that allows her to pursue her passions while gaining career experience and forging meaningful relationships. “I can confidently say that coming to NYU Shanghai is the best choice I could have made,” says Masha. “The school is perfect for me in all senses, and I keep profiting from my experience here daily.”
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