Sophie Pfisterer

When I was five years old, I told my mom that I wanted to be an artist who lived on a farm. She laughed. But here I am, 18 years later, with a degree in the arts, a passion for documentary filmmaking, and a keen interest in sustainable food systems.

It’s weird how dreams actually come true with a bit of communication skills, a lot of hard work, and just the right amount of luck. I’m just simply so grateful that my luck led me here, halfway across the globe.

Coming from a tiny town, I never knew what opportunities might be available to me, but I always had a hunger to push things further and further. NYU Abu Dhabi offered me the opportunity to build my filmmaking skills from zero, make lifelong friends, push my boundaries, challenge my perspectives, and create what I didn’t think possible.

Between learning from historical sites like Qasr Al Hosn, working with the men from an Afghan bakery to make a film, interviewing the heads of the Mormon church, navigating Mussafah, going parasailing, partying on a few yachts, trying out countless restaurants, practically melting as we ran around the city on 12-hour film shoots, learning to wear a hijab, discovering my favourite farm cafe, kayaking, climbing, traveling, attending screenings and performances, cultivating relationships with various filmmakers, shopkeepers, and doctors, as well as swimming in any obscure location I could find, I wouldn’t give up my experience in Abu Dhabi for anything.