Fernanda E
My name is Fer, and I’ve been a Monarch Effect Ambassador since August 2025. I have been enrolled in Falmouth University, England, where I study Game Art; if all goes well, I’ll be set to graduate in 2028. The Foundation helped me through choosing a career path and getting to where I am today— I’m in love with my career, and the opportunities they’ve provided for the community are no less than life-changing. I’m proud to represent Los Cabos and the Monarch Effect Foundation all the way in Cornwall!
flight plan
September 2025
Hello, Monarch Family! This is the first blog post that I get to make as a part of the Ambassador program, and it has been a rollercoaster of a month. September was full of learning opportunities and new experiences for me now that I have officially begun university, and it has shown me what kind of world there is not only outside of Los Cabos, but as I enter adulthood as well.
Adjusting to British university life (and British autumn weather!) has been a challenge, but as a fresh high school graduate, going back to school life surrounded by people who share the same passions as I have has been an incredibly inspiring experience. I have used my free time to explore essential skills -- such as cooking for myself, handling bills and time management -- as well as indulging my interests by making the most of university facilities. Despite Falmouth University being praised for its resources, having the opportunity to go through training in order to learn first-hand what it's like to use professional equipment while also being taught industry standard programs is an experience like no other. During my free days, I've been spending time in the practice rooms in order to practice for the musical theatre society -- Falmouth Follies -- which means that I also have had the opportunity to pursue my passion for musical theatre alongside my studies.
So far, I've survived freshers' week and inductions, which means that I am starting formal classes. While we're only a few days in, I've already begun familiarising myself with two of the programs we're expected to use the most-- one for illustration, and one for 3D modelling. That in itself is a challenge, but despite catching "freshers flu", I'd say I've been handling myself quite well thus far. The campus is a beautiful blend of modern and rural, as Penryn is rich in its biodiversity-- I even get a view of the trees from my dorm room!
Truly, I am given more reasons to fall in love with my campus every single day. I look forward to sharing my experience more in-depth with you all as time goes on!
In flight - my blog
October 2025
Hi everybody! It's been a month since my first update, which marks the first month of my studies at Falmouth University! This month has been filled with all kinds of adventures, frustrations, and friendships made. To begin, I can finally say (with confidence) that I no longer get lost on my way to and from the store back to my flat. That doesn't sound much by itself, but the roads and shortcuts on the footpath that I take to get there are becoming increasingly familiar to me. That's a huge accomplishment! As far as feeling like home, though, I can say that the weather has definitely not been on my side. I was warned about the late-autumn weather in the UK, and I fear it's all true; it's dreadfully cloudy, unpredictably rainy, and too windy to carry an umbrella. I grow accustomed to it, yes, but I admit that I miss the sun a lot of the time. Watching the rain outside is peaceful until you're walking a mile to class under trees that shake dew on you if you so much as breathe their way! I can only look forward to the winter!
In other news, my classes are all to die for! While I have many deadlines coming up as I type this, I'm confident that I won't be overloaded just yet. Life drawing classes are my favourite-- we get nude models every other week to pose for us, and those workshops are always so calming to me. While I love creative illustration and modelling, it's a relief to be able to draw something mindlessly from a reference, even if just once a week. I'll attach one of my favourite pieces to the blog!
Now, a month in, I can confidently say I have made great friends from all parts of campus. I've managed to integrate myself into my recreational and educational groups. I have a consistent friend group and a lot of my lecturers know me by name-- next month, I hope to continue integrating myself as I work as a student representative for Game Art; which, speaking of, my training has just begun. My job as a student rep is to provide higher-ups with feedback collected from fellow students in order to improve the quality of life on campus. I believe it's two or three others on my year, so I'm sure to meet someone in the group and while doing rep work.
I've got a long, busy month ahead of me, but I look forward to it. My jobs here have just begun, and I'm ready for whatever they bring!
