Harriet is a second-year Concept and Comic Arts student, and in March 2026 she travelled to Brussels, Belgium as part of an academic-led trip that explored Comic Arts. Harriet was a recipient of the DMU Global Access Fund (learn more about it here), which meant that she received an extra £200 on top of the DMU Global bursary. Below, she shares her thoughts about her time in Brussels.
Before going on the trip with DMU Global, I found it really difficult to decide whether I should go. I was worried about finances and also dealing with some personal health issues, which were sometimes made worse by financial stress as I support myself. The DMU Global Access Fund helped me make the decision to go by easing that financial pressure, meaning I could focus more on my health instead of worrying about money. It was also my first time leaving the country without my family, which was quite stressful, but knowing I’d be travelling with such a great group of people really helped.
During the trip to Brussels, I had the best time. It was amazing to explore somewhere new, especially a place that takes the arts so seriously, which is something you don’t see as much in the UK. One of the highlights for me was visiting the Hergé Museum, which was part of our planned itinerary. It was incredible to see the life and work of the artist and how his comics, especially Tintin, developed over time. Another thing I really enjoyed was visiting the fine art museum, which me and my friends chose to do on our free day. The range of artwork was amazing. Both experiences were really inspiring and made me appreciate how lucky I am to study my degree in comic and concept art.
Something I initially found challenging was communicating with locals, but I quickly realised that many people in Brussels spoke English, which made things much easier. That said, it has inspired me to learn another language before I travel again. The trip also made me realise how easy it can be to visit other countries, and it’s definitely made me want to travel more in the future.
This trip has had a huge impact on my time at DMU. It opened my eyes to the opportunities available after my studies and has made me even more excited about my degree. I feel like I’ve gained a newfound confidence in my work and feel more validated in the type of art I create, especially after seeing so many people in Brussels doing similar things. The most interesting thing I learned was just how big the European comics market is. It’s made me much more aware of different artists and has given me a fresh sense of motivation and passion for my work and studies.